|
|
Post by crabbyjim on Jul 5, 2020 20:40:21 GMT -8
Today I was getting ready for my 50th anniversary dive on July 30 so I pulled my Calypso IV out of the box and began testing it. As I inhaled, the diaphragm sucked down but a small amount of air sneaked in. When I put it in the water and breathed it some water come in. I took it apart, made sure that everything was good but the problem persisted. I took a spare 1085 second out of the box and it didn't suck air or water but it did free flow. I think I know how to stop the free flow but why does one suck air & water and the other doesn't?
I also checked out my Aquarius which didn't suck or free flow. These second stages are identical except for the screw in the clamp ring. Any ideas on how to stop the sucking of air and water?
Examining the Aquarius more closely I noticed that the hp and second lp ports are on the left side while the Calypso's lp ports are all on the right side, just like the Trieste. Did the Aquarius pre-date, co-exist with or follow the Calypso?
Your thoughts, please.
|
|
|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Jul 5, 2020 21:12:51 GMT -8
Today I was getting ready for my 50th anniversary dive on July 30 so I pulled my Calypso IV out of the box and began testing it. As I inhaled, the diaphragm sucked down but a small amount of air sneaked in. When I put it in the water and breathed it some water come in. I took it apart, made sure that everything was good but the problem persisted. I took a spare 1085 second out of the box and it didn't suck air or water but it did free flow. I think I know how to stop the free flow but why does one suck air & water and the other doesn't? I also checked out my Aquarius which didn't suck or free flow. These second stages are identical except for the screw in the clamp ring. Any ideas on how to stop the sucking of air and water? Examining the Aquarius more closely I noticed that the hp and second lp ports are on the left side while the Calypso's lp ports are all on the right side, just like the Trieste. Did the Aquarius pre-date, co-exist with or follow the Calypso? Your thoughts, please. Hi CJ, the suck air and water problem sounds like a bad exhaust valve (or something stuck in the exhaust port preventing sealing like verdegris). I generally replace the exhaust valve in my 1085's every 20 years or so. 😎 How long has it been? If not, then I would look at a possible tear in your 2nd stage diaphragm (or salt buildup around the perimeter preventing a good seal). As far as the leaky 2nd stage it could be anything from a rotted 2nd stage seat, to high IP, to misadjusted 2nd stage poppet tension - or my favorite, a combination of all three. I seem to recall the Aquarius and Conshelf IV being marketed at the same time in the mid-70's, but I'd have to check the USD catalogs to be sure. It all kinda blends together these days. Congrats on your 50th year anniversary dive. I did mine in June 2017. |
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Jul 5, 2020 21:38:56 GMT -8
Both the exhaust valve and the diaphragm of that era were neoprene, and probably need to be replaced.
John
|
|
|
|
Post by crabbyjim on Jul 6, 2020 5:11:59 GMT -8
Thanks guys. The diaphragms and exhaust valves are new, the second stages are clean and the ip is 130 psi so it's time to examine the seats and poppets.
|
|
|
|
Post by stevebradley on Jul 6, 2020 7:25:09 GMT -8
Last year I was diving in the st.clair river and was getting a wet breathing. Come to find out there was small pebbles got underneath the mouth piece.
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Jul 6, 2020 7:37:32 GMT -8
CJ, try your second stage w/o the cover and diaphragm. If it doesn't freeflow, your soft seat is probably good and the lever adjustment nut just needs to be loosened a bit. If the leak adjusts out this way, but returns with the diaphragm and cover on, your lever is still too high.
If it leaks and won't stop when the adjuster is loosened to floppy-ish, it's either gunk in the seats or one of them is bad. Unlikely that the hard seat is bad, but they can get damaged. If your regulator hasn't been serviced in a while (over 20 years) it's a good idea to replace the soft seat and inspect the hard parts.
I happen to have be working on an adjustable 1085 second stage hard seat for James, and know this setup pretty well. The stock hard seat is easily fixed since it's cut right on top of the nipple and can be cleaned up on the lathe if nicked or corroded.
|
|
|
|
Post by SeaRat on Jul 6, 2020 7:51:09 GMT -8
CJ,
The other thing to look at is the low pressure diaphragm. Sometimes, they don't sit well into the groove and my be pinched, leaving a small channel for water to get into the second stage.
John
|
|
|
|
Post by james1979 on Jul 6, 2020 10:54:56 GMT -8
CJ,
I'm sure you already looked, but you did verify the ziptie on the mouthpiece is nice and tight? I just had a 1085 (Conshelf VI) start breathing wet due to the mouthpiece ziptie stretching a little over time (coupled with a harder mouthpiece).
Just an idea,
Respectfully,
James
|
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Jul 6, 2020 11:07:31 GMT -8
...but you did verify the ziptie on the mouthpiece is nice and tight... James Yeah, I've had this happen too, so Czech it out bub! JB |
|
|
|
Post by crabbyjim on Jul 6, 2020 11:56:00 GMT -8
CJ, try your second stage w/o the cover and diaphragm. If it doesn't freeflow, your soft seat is probably good and the lever adjustment nut just needs to be loosened a bit. If the leak adjusts out this way, but returns with the diaphragm and cover on, your lever is still too high. If it leaks and won't stop when the adjuster is loosened to floppy-ish, it's either gunk in the seats or one of them is bad. Unlikely that the hard seat is bad, but they can get damaged. If your regulator hasn't been serviced in a while (over 20 years) it's a good idea to replace the soft seat and inspect the hard parts. I happen to have be working on an adjustable 1085 second stage hard seat for James, and know this setup pretty well. The stock hard seat is easily fixed since it's cut right on top of the nipple and can be cleaned up on the lathe if nicked or corroded. I took it apart, made sure that it was clean (it Was) and replaced the seat on the poppet. I cannot get the lever even with the top of the round side against the bodyn, it's high. I think that I have the washer in correctly, flat side against the regulator body. If it were in backwards, would that prevent me from adjusting the lever height? |
|
|
|
Post by crabbyjim on Jul 6, 2020 12:10:59 GMT -8
Figured out the lever height adjustment. Now for the wet test.
Wet test was a success! Huzzah!
Thank you all for your patience and suggestions.
|
|
|
|
Post by crabbyjim on Jul 6, 2020 13:52:32 GMT -8
Some final thoughts on this thread: this is not my first regulator, that one disappeared during a move. I don't remember what model I learned on, but I did purchase a Calypso IV/J while I was stationed in Japan 1970-1972 and used it through 1991. I purchased the Calypso IV that has been the subject of this thread on EBAY for $20 and rebuilt. I did the first stage last year and just completed the second stage. Although it's an old reg, it was lightly used and and looks new. Now it breathes as designed and I will use it and my USD horse collar on my anniversary dive.
Re-creating my original dive outfit was the reason I began collecting vintage equipment. Vintage dive gear is like eating potato chips - you can't stop with just one.
"Don't worry, be crabby!"
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Jul 6, 2020 14:19:23 GMT -8
Good job, CJ. What was the problem with the lever adjustment? Washers in wrong? This is how it goes with working on regulators, cars, computers, and all. Often, something happens that you don't expect and really it perplexes you. Or you break something, or "fix it" and it performs even worse, or it leaks, or  I tend to figure things out around 3AM when I'm lying semi-awake, thinking about it. |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Jul 6, 2020 15:05:54 GMT -8
...Vintage dive gear is like eating potato chips - you can't stop with just one... Vintage anything is like that for me: I have sooooo many collections! I've recently started collecting ephemera images that I steal from eBait that are of early Santa Clara County: I use them as fodder/historical research for the stories I write, "Oh, that's what that area looked like..." It's very easy to find images of San Francisco after the 1906-Earthquake, but what about the rest of the Bay area?  JB |
|
|
|
Post by crabbyjim on Jul 6, 2020 15:46:01 GMT -8
Good job, CJ. What was the problem with the lever adjustment? Washers in wrong? This is how it goes with working on regulators, cars, computers, and all. Often, something happens that you don't expect and really it perplexes you. Or you break something, or "fix it" and it performs even worse, or it leaks, or I tend to figure things out around 3AM when I'm lying semi-awake, thinking about it. Everything was in correctly thanks to Brian Pennington’s video. I finally had my “aha” moment after watching that video for the fifth time. The problem was operator error. |
|
