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Post by seakrakken on Oct 4, 2005 14:33:35 GMT -8
From what I've read the only difference between a RAM and an AM is the nozzle and it's associated internal componants. Is this correct? I ask because I read somewhere about someone saying they had converted their AM to a RAM. Is that how they did it?
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Post by SeaRat on Oct 4, 2005 16:02:18 GMT -8
My understanding is that a AM can be "converted" to a RAM by replacing the HP nozzle assembly with one which incorporates the balanced feature. But I think this is a limited conversion, in that I believe that all the internal openings were enlarged for the RAM for higher air flow. I think that the old single hose regs could be similarly converted to a balanced first stage design, but that does not change the internal openings. It just gives a balanced first stage feature, which is an improvement, but not completely like the manufactured Royal Aquamaster. Does this make sense to everyone?
John
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Post by luis on Oct 4, 2005 16:34:43 GMT -8
Back in the early 70’s I converted my Royal to an AquaMaster because the 1st stage seat for the Royal back then used to leak. It was a hard rubber seat. The Aqua Master was more reliable. In the dive shop were I used to work (back then in Puerto Rico) we had boxes of double hose regulator parts in the back room for me to pick from. About two month ago I finally convert it back to a Royal Aqua Master. The conversion requires replacing the complete first stage including the first stage body/ nozzle. The first stage body in the Royal is longer and the volcano orifice is bigger. The balanced first stage allows a larger volcano orifice. This is the only internal opening that is different from the Royal and the AM. The main body which holds the second stage are exactly the same part (and part number). In the conversion I used all the 1st stage internal parts of a Conshelf, including the new Teflon seat. It is great!!! It holds a constant 145 PSI intermediate pressure independent of tank pressure and I can leave it for hours and the intermediate pressure doesn’t drift at all. Again it is great having it back as a Royal Aqua Master. It breathes great!!!  Luis |
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Post by luis on Oct 4, 2005 17:23:56 GMT -8
As a late fall or winter project, I am planning on generating a mechanical drawing in AutoCAD of the Royal Aqua Master first stage nozzle. This is the only part in limited supply to convert Aqua Master’s. All the other parts can come from the Conshelf.
Once I generate the first stage / nozzle drawing I am planning on creating a drawing for a modified nozzle. It will be longer in order to include 3/8” HP ports behind the yoke in order to take a SPG. It will also include a replaceable volcano orifice piece from some of the later Conshelf regulators. The part (from Aqualung) doesn’t cost much and it will cut the cost of machining the volcano orifice. It will also make it replaceable if damaged.
Once I have mechanical drawings, I will have a prototype made in a local machine shop owned by a friend. Afterwards I am planning on providing the drawings to anyone that can produce them at reasonable cost. It will probably be up to Dan or Bryan.
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Post by nemrod on Oct 5, 2005 10:24:30 GMT -8
I have a young machinest friend with a BridgePort mill. He probably could make them but he would expect to actually make a profit, he has a new baby and his wife needs a new Toyota because her GM junker is falling apart.
Maybe the fellow who has been running the banjos for Chuck would be interested, I think Chuck has been paying him with Ol'Hawk. Having a real LP and HP port on the nozzle body would be DYNOMITE!!!
James
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Post by luis on Oct 5, 2005 12:11:12 GMT -8
Hi James It will be a few more weeks before I get to do the drawings. I thought my SCUBA diving season was coming to an end, but I just ordered a new drysuit. The machining should be much simpler than the banjos. Most of the metal can be cut on a simple lathe. The HP port will be tapped into the nozzle, but the LP ports will still have to come from the hookah port. The LP camber is past the nozzle (in the main body). I have been running a 3 port LP swivel adapter with a couple or 90 deg swivels to run all the hoses down (BC inflator, octopus, and dry suit inflator). It is not the most elegant setup (heck, is right down kludge) but it works and it keeps the profile low. |
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Post by treasureman on Oct 13, 2005 18:34:19 GMT -8
I have several colleagues who run shops and have cnc machines. Any new Hpo nozzles with removable volcanoes would be rather interesting and certainly ewliminate having to look around for RAM nozzles in good shape. Once the volcanoes go, just unscrew and replace. making the nozzle longer will eventually put it closer to the divers body/head depending where you place the tank. But it is a sound idea...
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