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Post by cnotthoff on Sept 20, 2020 13:36:13 GMT -8
I have to stop by the shop tomorrow. I'll take my thread gage and check one.
Charlie
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Post by SeaRat on Oct 4, 2020 22:59:35 GMT -8
I have cleaned up and rebuilt that manifold: IMG_1696 by John Ratliff, on Flickr IMG_1697 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Note that I was only able to find one metal dip tube, and I placed it onto the one side with the ORV. The other side has a different plastic dip tube, which I will probably use unless I can find one more metal one. My reasoning is that, while the plastic dip tay melt in a fire sitati, it will be in a on vertical position, and simply fall to the bottom of the tank as the set is stored vertically. But overall, the manifold is ready to be put onto a set of doubles. My problem is that I don't want to simply let all the air out, but I don't have a way to get them wey yet either. John
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Post by Michel on Oct 5, 2020 6:52:50 GMT -8
Beautifully done! I think a set of 40 aluminum's would look and feel really cool with a minimalist harness(Navy type web)and a single hose on the outer post for a safe second and SPG. For the dip tube wouldn't ScubaPro have a replacement available ? I mean they must be pretty numerous what with all the valves they have produced over the years!? Keep us posted. Michel.
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Post by vance on Oct 5, 2020 10:36:49 GMT -8
John, I can make you a brass dip tube. I just need to know the tubing diameter and thread pitch. Or send me one so I can measure it. I'll send it back with the new one! Let me know!
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Post by cnotthoff on Oct 5, 2020 12:33:19 GMT -8
This is one of the early Scubapro dip tubes. The threads are finer than any other dip tube. It may be easier to tap out the valve body and use something more standard. Good Dives, Charlie IMG_1986 by Charlie will, on Flickr
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Post by vance on Oct 5, 2020 19:07:39 GMT -8
Thanks, Charlie!
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 3, 2020 22:54:33 GMT -8
Well, I finally made a decision, and that was that twin 72s are too heavy for me in my current diving profiles, which involve a lot of walking to the entry point and then back to the car. I tried the unit on, and walked a bit with them. It hurt in the small of my back. I have taken those doubles to three dives, and they haven't migrated out of my Honda Pilot for any of the dives. On my last dive last Wednesday I wore my twin 45s with my Mossback Mk 3 regulator, and after a 45 minute dive in 46 degree water, still had about 800 psig left.
So yesterday, the twin backpack came off, and the crossover manifold also was unscrewed. I have two extra harnesses, and now have two single 72s to add to my collection. It can be converted back into twin 72s in about five minutes.
I really don't like a standard, older backpack on my twins, as it hits my back in the small of the back, and for any walking hurts. I much prefer the military harness, with the tanks resting on my back muscles.
John
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Post by surflung on Nov 4, 2020 14:19:05 GMT -8
ScubaPro Manifold and Twin Tanks Comments- My buddy Rich "50,001 Questions" made up a couple of Twin tank sets from new production aluminum 50s and one of them we made up with a brand new ScubaPro manifold (the one on the right). I don't know why but he had trouble getting the center valve to center up between the tanks... The usual double hose can is too close to one side and doesn't fit so he uses a Snark III and the offset yoke makes it work. We were thinking that manifold must work correctly with the smaller diameter steel 72s? - Yeah those Twin 72s are heavy beasts. I was given a beautiful set of yellow USD 72s with all original backpack and USD manifold by my son... Who got them at a garage sale for $10 along with a $10 Snark III... (why can't I find those kind of deals?). - Twin 72s are a versatile package with a heck of a lot of air volume and potential. I have heard of tech/wreck divers who fill them up to 80 cf for deep diving... 2769 psi I think. That seems awfully high but they are hydrotested at 3750. Twin 72s are definitely lighter than Twin 80 aluminums and the bigger Twin Steels that other tech divers use.
- I tried my Twin 72s once or twice and came up with more than half my air left... Maybe if I dove deeper and did deco stops I might need that much air but it really is too heavy of a load for enjoyable walking to the water's edge!
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Post by scubalawyer on Nov 4, 2020 15:50:40 GMT -8
Eben, Those are sure some purty tanks even if they are "GASP" - Aluminium.
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 4, 2020 17:55:44 GMT -8
Surflung, if that Scubapro twin manifold you show above is like the one I have, it needs to be put on both tanks simultaneously. One side is regular thread, the other reverse (clockwise and counterclockwise) and the two can really only be put together by rotating the center section into both sides together. fullsizeoutput_2849 by John Ratliff, on Flickr I'm pretty sure it is used on a 3/4 inch tank thread, and that it doesn't matter much whether it is steel or aluminum. John
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Post by surflung on Nov 5, 2020 8:22:19 GMT -8
Off Center but Adjustable... I Think.- As you can see above the center valve is off-center. I didn't install it on Rich's tanks but, he said he adjusted it as far back toward the center as he felt was possible. I assumed he was just spinning the tanks off and on the assembled manifold... Much like you would do it on the other manifold which is solid. - Anyway, it became clear that this manifold was intended for single hose regulators... And being centered wasn't really necessary. But for a standard Mistral or DAAM... The cans are too wide to clear the tank top when attached to the center valve. I am just now wondering if a Voit Trieste will fit since it is smaller. Anyway, the Snark III offset yoke made that one fit okay. - To Scuba Lawyer - I'll pass your compliment on to Rich. He's pretty proud of those tanks. He has them set up to screw onto his ScubaPro BCD. One of the sets is consecutively serial numbered. The tank bands on the ScubaPro Manifold tanks are modern... He modified them by cutting and welding. And the decals... They were acquired from Sheriffdiver Ron who was working with a label maker to get an accurate aluminum tank label for his "Jaws" movie outfit... Yes, he even had a suit made like Richard Dreyfus wore in the movie. - The easiest ones to set up were the ones on the left. The solid USD manifold and tank bands came off a set of Twin aluminum 80s.
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Post by SeaRat on Nov 6, 2020 10:17:24 GMT -8
Surflung, I don't think this valve is asymmetric. Take a look at my valve, put together: IMG_1697 by John Ratliff, on Flickr But I've got a ruler, and my valve is apart, so I'm going to make some measurements. I have a theory about what has happened to your valve, but will hold off until I confirm it on mine. John PS, you are correct, this valve is asymmetric. I had not even considered that a possibility. But the measurements make it clear. It's 8.5 inches between Cylinder centerpoints, but 3.75 inches from the left Cylinder and just over 4.5 inches to the center point of the right cylinder. I'm pretty certain that this manifold was requested by cave divers, and your assumption about exclusively used by single hose regulators is correct. Thank you for pointing this out.
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 14, 2020 18:34:05 GMT -8
This is a work in progress, and I'll add more photos later. But I have my Scubapro twin post valve rebuilt and on my twin 52 steel 1800 psi tanks. And, it will allow some double hose regulators to work. IMG_1775 by John Ratliff, on Flickr John
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 15, 2020 17:18:54 GMT -8
Okay, I'm resuming posting photos of my different regulator combinations with this new manifold. Though it is asymetric, it does handle some double hose regulators when mounted on steel low pressure tanks. I think it was made for the steel twin 72s, but I have it on my twin USD 52s (the steel 72s are really heavy for this ol' guy). IMG_1776 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here I have a Dacor Clipper mounted with a Dacor Dart II single hose regulator. fullsizeoutput_29b5 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here I have my USD Mistral mounted with a SEA single hose regulator. Note the depressed inhalation hose though. fullsizeoutput_29b4 by John Ratliff, on Flickr But this is the combination it was probably designed for. A Scubapro Mk VII first stage; Pilot second stage and a Scubapro Mk V first stage with a A.I.R. I second stage. I tried my Mossback Mk 3 regulator, and my USD Royal Aquamaster, and they did not have room to be mounted. John
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Post by rikdog7 on Dec 21, 2020 5:35:57 GMT -8
Those setups look good, it makes me want to get busy on cleaning my manifold. I got my tanks back in service but have been diving them as singles from my kayak. They are so light and easy to get on and off the boat. Thanks for the pictures.
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