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Post by vance on Jan 6, 2022 16:35:34 GMT -8
I can almost hear CJ sniggering. He's sure to have snarky comments about chicken of the sea, and such.
But, where the heck is he? Hellooooo?
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Post by vance on Jan 8, 2022 11:58:10 GMT -8
Neil sent me some photos of his attempt at a diluter conversion, as well as his Seahorse regs. The Seahorse has a pull valve on it that opens the oxy constant flow knob for an extra bit of air when needed. They must have spun their own aluminum covers for these. The photo shows a duckbill, but Neil isn't sure if the Seahorse was sold with one. At least they didn't make the mistake of pushing the exhaust air back through the regulator body like the PM article suggests.
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Post by nikeajax on Jan 9, 2022 15:33:24 GMT -8
Phil, very exciting: part of me is very envious, but the other part is grumbling, "You don't need yet another project!"
JB
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Post by vance on Jan 9, 2022 18:34:51 GMT -8
I'm with you. Who needs another project? I got plenty.
I spent the day today electrifying our vintage Gary Fisher Gemini tandem bike for an upcoming bike trip to Joshua Tree National Park. I'm not done yet! Many hoops to jump through.
It has a 1000 watt rear hub motor with pedal assist and a throttle. Haven't received the battery as yet, so I hope it all works when it arrives! Will probably need two batteries for 50 miles.
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Post by antique diver on Jan 18, 2022 9:57:43 GMT -8
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Post by surflung on Jan 18, 2022 11:02:21 GMT -8
Test diving the Aviation Oxygen Diluter Bill, - You look almost cooler than Mike Nelson. I've seen old photos of divers using the Diluters and barber pole painted tanks in Minnesota lakes. Maybe its a Texas Ranger / Oley Svengaard thing? You got style man!
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Post by antique diver on Jan 18, 2022 13:14:47 GMT -8
Test diving the Aviation Oxygen Diluter Bill, - You look almost cooler than Mike Nelson. I've seen old photos of divers using the Diluters and barber pole painted tanks in Minnesota lakes. Maybe its a Texas Ranger / Oley Svengaard thing? You got style man! Eben, Thank you for the kind words. I have to try really hard to look cool. I'm just thankful Francie didn't get the shot of me falling down while attempting to don my fins in that heavy surf!
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Post by vance on Jan 18, 2022 15:25:03 GMT -8
The undignified part isn't so much the falling. It's when you can't get back up....
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Post by nikeajax on Feb 1, 2022 15:15:34 GMT -8
Bill and John, I think you guys will enjoy seeing this: it's only slightly still on topic, but... I thought I'd slip this one in because they briefly mention the B-17's breathing system for the crew Gotta keep Phil happy don'cha know? JB
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Post by SeaRat on Feb 1, 2022 17:22:15 GMT -8
Bill and John, I think you guys will enjoy seeing this: it's only slightly still on topic, but... I thought I'd slip this one in because they briefly mention the B-17's breathing system for the crew Gotta keep Phil happy don'cha know? JB Wow, that is quite a video. Thank you, JB for showing it here. I have some tears to wipe out of my eyes. John
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Post by antique diver on Mar 26, 2022 13:55:46 GMT -8
My original version of the Bendix conversion had an exposed duckbill exhaling valve. It seemed a bit delicate and vulnerable to damage waving around in the open so I finally got around to trying something new with a modified "duckbill eliminator" (DBE). The closed side of the DBE faces the open water and provides some protection to the valve: The mushroom valve is pretty well protected as it faces the backplate. Enough clearance there to allow full opening action of the valve: I haven't tried it on a dive yet, but should get tested in April.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 26, 2022 15:56:37 GMT -8
Bill, that thing has become such a monster now, it makes me smile/chuckle But, would you mind putting some slot-tip screws on it, those Phillips-screws look very out of place, well, ghastly! JB
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Post by antique diver on Mar 26, 2022 16:46:42 GMT -8
Bill, that thing has become such a monster now, it makes me smile/chuckle But, would you mind putting some slot-tip screws on it, those Phillips-screws look very out of place, well, ghastly! JB "Ghastly"! Haha... the visual of Phillips heads didn't really set well with me either on a 1942 appliance, but it was what I had in my stock of stainless screws. Also I considered how much easier they are to use than slots, and these are what holds the regulator in place on my pac... so they get removed every time I remove the regulator for storage. Tell you what JB - if you come to Texas, and are brave enough to dive with this contraption, I will install some brass slot screws with a nice aged patina. That's done by boiling them in a copper sulphate solution. (best done outdoors due to possibly toxic fumes) I might even put some naturally aged vintage organic air in the tank for you!
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 26, 2022 17:54:25 GMT -8
My original version of the Bendix conversion had an exposed duckbill exhaling valve. It seemed a bit delicate and vulnerable to damage waving around in the open so I finally got around to trying something new with a modified "duckbill eliminator" (DBE). The closed side of the DBE faces the open water and provides some protection to the valve: The mushroom valve is pretty well protected as it faces the backplate. Enough clearance there to allow full opening action of the valve: I haven't tried it on a dive yet, but should get tested in April. With that much distance (~5 inches) from the center of the diaphragm, it appears that the suction effort would have to exceed five inches or it will leak air in certain positions. John
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Post by antique diver on Mar 26, 2022 20:19:36 GMT -8
John, thanks for your observations... yes the exhalation center is definitely not in the best position, but the DBE is centered in the same position as the duckbill center was, and that performed quite well with very low inhalation effort... and one little quirk that is manageable. As you might imagine, swimming with left side elevated above normal trim does allow some air loss at the exhaust. This "flaw" actually is avoidable by staying level left to right, and does not show up during a vertical ascent since the exhaust is lower than the center.
There is actually one unexpected advantage. First I'll back up a bit and mention that in normal diving trim position, a comfortable easy pace and shallow depths of up to 25-30' it exhibits smooth easy breathing. Much better than I ever expected when I started on the conversion 4 years ago. Seawolf has also made dives with it and expressed the same satisfaction with the performance. I have had it to max depth of 43', and there is noticeable decline in performance, and would likely be dangerous with increased exertion. Now the advantage of increased air flow being induced by tilting body position up on left side gives a bit of welcome relief as the pressure differential becomes helpful. So while I had planned to eventually place the exhaust in a better location, I now think I may just leave it alone and live with the imperfections.
I never expected an aviation air delivery device to work to perfection underwater, and this never will, but it is just downright fun to dive it within the limits mentioned.
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