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Post by artc on Dec 4, 2022 9:44:16 GMT -8
Well, I finally got around to servicing these two old US Divers regulators. One is a 1030 red label Calypso and the other is a black label Professional Aquamatic. Both were leaking, but some new seats and exhaust valve for the Calypso and a new second stage seat with adjustments for the Aquamatic and they're good to go. Luckily, both diaphrams are in good shape. The Calpso is a great breather and the Aquamatic breathes better than I expected. Not great, but it's not bad for a 63 year old regulator. In 1960, single hose regulators had to come a long way in order to compete with their double hose counterparts. Who knows, I may takethe Aquamatic for a shallow dive this week or at least a hull cleaning.  IMG_0259 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0262 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr  IMG_0261 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr |
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Post by h2operations on Dec 4, 2022 10:20:43 GMT -8
They look in great shape. Usually the ones I come across are pretty beat up.
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Post by artc on Dec 4, 2022 10:29:05 GMT -8
Hi h2operations. I just got lucky, I guess. I thought the two second stages were the same, but functionally they are quite different. I was not at all familiar with the Aquamatic second stage, but Fred Roberts came to the rescue.
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Post by antique diver on Dec 4, 2022 12:28:24 GMT -8
Seems like most vintage collectors/divers are mostly into double hose regs. That's understandable, but I also enjoy diving with the older single hose regulators.
I have new old stock HP seats available for all the early Aquamatic first stages (like shown in the photo) if you ever need one.
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 4, 2022 12:36:38 GMT -8
Art, I think my oldest is my Healthways "Diver Dick":  It's technically a Scuba Star, but the second stage was acquired from the estate of Dick Anderson: his widow as getting rid of a bunch of stuff and I bought a box of what I think were a first run of per-production second stages... for $1  I was happier than a pig in slop!!!! Here's my new in box Scuba Star I got for servicing Crabby Jims reg for him:  Also my Sportsways Master Diver:  JB |
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Post by artc on Dec 4, 2022 13:10:27 GMT -8
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 4, 2022 13:14:45 GMT -8
Hi h2operations. I just got lucky, I guess. I thought the two second stages were the same, but functionally they are quite different. I was not at all familiar with the Aquamatic second stage, but Fred Roberts came to the rescue. What a lot of people who don’t read Fred Roberts, Basic Scuba, don’t realize is that the Professional Aquamatic first stage is about the only downstream, diaphragm first stage ever developed. Try it in the water and breathe it through the whole tank, as I don’t remember whether it gets harder to breathe or easier as tank pressure goes down. I believe thinking about it that it gets harder to breathe as the tank pressure goes down (opposite of most diaphragm first stages). John PS, Art, that’s a pretty small wet suit jacket; did is shrink when you washed it? |
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 4, 2022 13:28:36 GMT -8
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Post by artc on Dec 4, 2022 13:53:12 GMT -8
Hi h2operations. I just got lucky, I guess. I thought the two second stages were the same, but functionally they are quite different. I was not at all familiar with the Aquamatic second stage, but Fred Roberts came to the rescue. What a lot of people who don’t read Fred Roberts, Basic Scuba, don’t realize is that the Professional Aquamatic first stage is about the only downstream, diaphragm first stage ever developed. Try it in the water and breathe it through the whole tank, as I don’t remember whether it gets harder to breathe or easier as tank pressure goes down. I believe thinking about it that it gets harder to breathe as the tank pressure goes down (opposite of most diaphragm first stages). John PS, Art, that’s a pretty small wet suit jacket; did is shrink when you washed it? Thanks John. All told, your experience and posts regarding these regulators inspired me to purchase, service and use these old timers. Plus, I really like US Divers and Aqualung regulators. They have stood the test of time. Rob at TSM gave me the wetsuit with a bunch of parts I bought. It matches JB’s fins and mask. 😃 |
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 4, 2022 15:06:36 GMT -8
For those wondering how the Professional Aquamatic differs from the Calypso second stage, take a look at the lever system. This was U.S. Divers Company’s first attempt at this second stage:  IMG_2474 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Note that the demand lever sits on top of a second lever that is horizontal to the seat stem, and provides the fulcrum for the demand lever. So it is completely different from the Calypso system, which became the dominant system later. But to get there, this was a needed step.  IMG_2473 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here is a further view of this unique regulator. It is so much better than its predecessor, the Aquamatic. Emile Gagnan designed the Aquamatic second stage, and Cousteau set the parameters of their first single hose when he requested that it be a round tube style second stage.  IMG_2432 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here is the originap Aquamatic; note the tubular style, with the diaphragm incorporating the exhaust valve. That was a molded sheet diaphragm, with the metal plate imbedded in it, and a really weird, conical actuating mechanism that moved two demand levers outwards away from each other to pull the seat up and initiate air flow. There was no Venturi with the Aquamatic, but there is a Venturi with the Professional Aquamatic. The Aquamatic got really hard to breath if that conical actuator got out from between the two levers, and was on one or the other side of either regulator.  IMG_2436 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here is the Aquamatic diaphragm. It is held onto the two halves by a flexible rubber neck.  IMG_2439 by John Ratliff, on Flickr Here is the weird, conical device for actuating the demand levers.  IMG_2448 by John Ratliff, on Flickr And here are the two long demand levers of the Aquamatic.  IMG_2446 by John Ratliff, on Flickr And here is the entire Aquamatic regulator. Note the first stage is the same as for the Professional Aquamatic. This regulator was used at least down to 90 feet in the 1950s in the Warm Mineral Springs initial archaeological investigations, and I’ve seen one photo of it being used at least that deep in a National Geographic article. John |
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Post by nikeajax on Dec 4, 2022 15:29:40 GMT -8
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Post by artc on Dec 4, 2022 17:10:23 GMT -8
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Post by artc on Dec 4, 2022 18:09:14 GMT -8
Seems like most vintage collectors/divers are mostly into double hose regs. That's understandable, but I also enjoy diving with the older single hose regulators. I have new old stock HP seats available for all the early Aquamatic first stages (like shown in the photo) if you ever need one. Thanks Bill, I’ll take you up on your offer. PM sent. |
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Post by antique diver on Dec 4, 2022 20:36:31 GMT -8
Seems like most vintage collectors/divers are mostly into double hose regs. That's understandable, but I also enjoy diving with the older single hose regulators. I have new old stock HP seats available for all the early Aquamatic first stages (like shown in the photo) if you ever need one. Thanks Bill, I’ll take you up on your offer. PM sent. PM sent. Don't forget you can usually reach me faster by email. It's noted in the message. Price quoted will include first class mail. Priority a little more... let me know. And Merry Christmas to you too! |
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I was happier than a pig in slop!!!!
