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Post by Terry on Jun 11, 2020 14:08:08 GMT -8
I finally got the opportunity to get into our pool 2 days ago and wet test my Healthways Scuba. This is the first one I have ever owned and my first time of ever using one. We have an 18'x 33' x 52" oval pool so I haven't had it to any depth yet; but this at least gave me a chance to get it wet after restoring it this past winter and see how it breathes. Overall I was pretty satisfied with it's performance but I do think with some gentle tweaking of the screwdriver I can improve the cracking. I remember when I was fooling around with it a few weeks ago that there is definitely that "sweet spot" where it really makes a difference in performance if you can find it. Performance wise it kind of reminds me of my U.S.D. DA Navy Approved, and it definitely has some sounds of it's own similar to the Mistral. I had the Hope Page mouthpiece installed with those 1-1/2" adapters I posted in an earlier thread and it worked great without any leaks or problems. When I got this reg and I was in the process of tearing it down, cleaning, etc. I noticed that the exhaust diaphragm was in very good condition; but just for the purpose of testing I decided to try out the "blue nitrile exhaust diaphragm" instead and all went well with it. So now I know that type of diaphragm works and I have my original as well that I'm sure will work just fine. I'll also want to buy some of the new repro exhaust diaphragms that Phil mentioned when they become available. Also when I was restoring this reg I reinstalled the original duckbill exhaust that I thought would work OK but after taking it into the pool the other day I'm not so sure. During use all seemed to be just fine and I never got any water into my mouthpiece; however when I got out of the pool I noticed that I had a bit of water in the exhaust hose so I guess I need to address that issue. I think it's going to get The "SEARAT MODIFICATION" with modification of an USD/Voit duckbill; so we'll see how that goes. If all goes well the lakes are finally warming up here and I should hopefully get this reg out for a real dive very soon.  |
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 11, 2020 15:26:08 GMT -8
Terry, very fun, thanks for the heads up  They're a very well made regulator in that they are so very simple. Sometimes when I need to think about something to occupy my mind I do a tear down in my head, then I put it all back together too... JB |
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 11, 2020 17:27:50 GMT -8
'Glad to hear you got your Healthways Scuba wet. That is great. I agree about the exhaust duckbill, but you may wish to try it without the duckbill too. It's not too bad getting water up into the exhaust hose once-in-a-while (it doesn't happen except when head-down diving toward the bottom).
John
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Post by tomcatpc on Jun 12, 2020 7:18:22 GMT -8
Glad to see some more interest in the Healthways SCUBA! I love mine and possibly going to dive it this evening!
Mark
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Post by Terry on Jun 18, 2020 16:02:02 GMT -8
Took The Healthways Scuba back into our pool today to check on the minor water accumulation in the exhaust hose that I encountered last week when I first water tested it. Today I tried it out with a couple of changes from the way it was set up last time. I reinstalled the original exhaust diaphragm in place of the nitrile replacement, and I replaced the original flutter valve with The SeaRat modification using the cutdown USD / Voit flutter valve. When I first got in the pool all seemed to be going well; no leaks with The HP mouthpiece and no wet breathing. I was almost ready to get out of the pool when I decided to see how things would go if I changed positions underwater, and that's when I discovered some issues. Staying prone with the bottom of the pool all went well. Rolling to my left all went well; but when I would roll to my right I could hear kind of a rumbling gurgling noise and I was getting some wet breathing. I did this several times and each time I got the same results. Once I got out of the pool I immediately opened this reg up to see if it was wet inside and it was. I had about a teaspoon of water in the inside so it appears I've got a leak to get resolved. When I got this reg and did the complete disassembly I noticed that when the exhaust diaphragm had been installed it was installed with a black colored sealant along with the wire clamp. When I was cleaning this reg up it was quite a job getting all of this hardened sealant cleaned off; but when I was done I had managed to get it all off and I had the insides of both cans well cleaned. When I reassembled this reg and reinstalled the exhaust diaphragm (both the nitrile mod, and the original) I did not use any type of sealant and just installed it with the wire clamp. I'm guessing that this might be the reason for the leak I have encountered. If so I'm really surprised that this diaphragm doesn't seal well using just the wire clamp. So guy's what's the consensus: do all of you who own one of these regs use a sealant along with the wire clamp when you are installing this exhaust diaphragm? Overall I'm happy with the way this reg breathes and I'm looking forward to working out all the bugs so I can get this reg out on a real dive. All comments appreciated. |
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 18, 2020 16:16:51 GMT -8
So guy's what's the consensus: do all of you who own one of these regs use a sealant along with the wire clamp when you are installing this exhaust diaphragm? Yes: I for one do because that's what HW did, and did it for as far as I'm concerned, a reason  JB |
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 18, 2020 17:08:02 GMT -8
I will check out my three Healthways Scuba regs tonight. I know that two of them have my modification on them, and I did use sealant on the SeaRat modified nitril diaphragms. The leak you have is around the exhaust diaphragm, and not the duckbill valve. With water in the intake hose, and water inside the regulator, it is the exhaust diaphragm that is leaking. Look also at the diaphragm itself, as I had a hole in one of mine.
John
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Post by Terry on Jun 18, 2020 17:35:12 GMT -8
JB & John; Thanks for your replies. Both of you have already confirmed what I have suspected. I was not aware of the fact that HW put a sealant on this diaphragm at the time of manufacture; damn I learned something today! As soon as I opened this reg up today and saw water inside the first thing I suspected was the exhaust diaphragm. When I was restoring this reg and managed to get all of that hardened sealant off I guess I was probably hoping that I wouldn't have to goop it all back up again after it cleaned up so well. I have carefully examined the exhaust diaphragm and it really appears to be in very good condition. I will be sure to get out the magnifier though and re-examine it again for any possible holes as John mentioned. Tomorrow I'll try to remove the exhaust diaphragm. examine it closely and apply some sealant when I reinstall it. Thanks again guy's, much appreciated!  |
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Post by nikeajax on Jun 18, 2020 17:51:46 GMT -8
Terry, are you 100% sure the hoses aren't leaking? What kinda hoses are you using? Please inspect the exhaust hose seal around the mouthpiece: these can and will leak because they don't have a welt? to keep them extra secure: that's the only weak spot on the HP...
Please advise...
JB
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 18, 2020 17:54:50 GMT -8
JB & John; Thanks for your replies. Both of you have already confirmed what I have suspected. I was not aware of the fact that HW put a sealant on this diaphragm at the time of manufacture; damn I learned something today! As soon as I opened this reg up today and saw water inside the first thing I suspected was the exhaust diaphragm. When I was restoring this reg and managed to get all of that hardened sealant off I guess I was probably hoping that I wouldn't have to goop it all back up again after it cleaned up so well. I have carefully examined the exhaust diaphragm and it really appears to be in very good condition. I will be sure to get out the magnifier though and re-examine it again for any possible holes as John mentioned. Tomorrow I'll try to remove the exhaust diaphragm. examine it closely and apply some sealant when I reinstall it. Thanks again guy's, much appreciated! Terry, Instead of a magnifying glass, simply hold it up to a light source and see if it has any light leaks. Saying that, I have to tell another story. We were in Medical School in Pararescue training at Shepherd Air Force Base, Texas in 1967, and one of our PJ trainees had been up to the wee hours drinking the night before. He started nodding off, and the instructor saw it, and threw an eraser at him, hitting him on the head with the eraser and yeling at him, "Airman Reisig, what the hell are you doing?" In what has to be the best ever come-backs, Reisig replied, "Just checking my eye lids for light leaks, Sir!" The whole class broke up. Now, before you put any sealant on the edges around the exhaust diaphragm, coat the area with silicone grease. That way, once the wire clamp is applied on the wet cement, and it sets (use a easily silicone), it won't stick on the metal and you can easily remove it. John |
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Post by Terry on Jun 18, 2020 18:48:24 GMT -8
JB; The hoses are brand new from Rob at The Scubamuseum; those new blue ones that he has; so I'm pretty certain that they aren't leaking; however you can be 100% certain that I'm going to double check them. As for the seal of the hose cuff at The HP mouthpiece I know exactly what you're talking about. Don't forget I'm using that 1-1/2" adaptor with that rubber sleeve I came up with this past winter so I can use the 1-1/2" hose cuffs on The HP, and that is an area for potential leaks IF you don't make certain that your hose clamps are good and tight. John; I like your idea of using a light source to check for leaks. I'll be using the magnifier to inspect this diaphragm again and also checking it with a small flashlight. That idea using the silicone sounds interesting; it sure would not be as much of a mess as I encountered when I got this reg when it comes to removal of this diaphragm for servicing. My only concern is how well it allows or interferes for the silicon to seal and not leak; but when I take the time to think it through it makes sense. By the way; great story about Airman Reisig Thanks Again Guys! |
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Post by SeaRat on Jun 18, 2020 19:12:25 GMT -8
Terry,
Just so you'll know, I don't know if you need the silicone grease on the metal if you use the silicone stuff to seal it. I was using Shoe-Goo, and felt the need to ensure that it didn't stick to the metal.
John
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Post by Terry on Jun 18, 2020 21:27:00 GMT -8
I would think if silicon is used that there wouldn't be any need for the silicon grease. I think the silicon would adhere to both the metal and rubber and after it cured it would form a good seal between the metal and the diaphragm. I am also pretty sure that even though it will adhere to the metal that it can also be easily removed if need be. I have some of that black RTV adhesive and as I recall it's silicon which would probably be a good product to use. In fact I think it's the same stuff that Phil uses on many of his projects and highly recommends. I'll check it all out tomorrow.
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Post by Terry on Jun 19, 2020 16:47:36 GMT -8
BINGO! John you called that one right when you suggested using a light source to check for pin holes. Earlier today I put a small flashlight against the bottom side of the diaphragm and moved it around to check for holes. As I moved it all around the underside I didn't see anything and thought the diaphragm was OK, and then I moved it all around the outside bottom around the outer edge and there it was; light coming through some miniscule holes right in the groove. This diaphragm appears and feels to be in great shape; but in this one area it appeared that the wire clamp may have caused some minor abrasion and that's where the holes were at. The wear was mainly on the outside where the clamp goes and just to the top edge where the metal seats beneath. I cleaned the diaphragm real good and wiped it down with some rubbing alcohol to clean off any dirt or grease and then with a Q-tip I applied a thin layer of some black DAP RTV silicone in the groove and on top making sure I worked it into the tiny holes and repairing the abrasion. I'm going to let that set at least overnight and then if it appears to be repaired I'll then put a bead of this same silicone into the groove and re-install it in the reg. Couldn't find any other problems with the hoses or mouthpiece so I'm guessing that the problem has been found. I'm glad you mentioned using that light source to look for any holes; I don't know that I would have thought of that.  Thanks! Terry  |
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They're a very well made regulator in that they are so very simple. Sometimes when I need to think about something to occupy my mind I do a tear down in my head, then I put it all back together too...
