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Post by spirou on Mar 24, 2023 9:02:35 GMT -8
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Post by spirou on Mar 24, 2023 9:05:13 GMT -8
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Post by spirou on Mar 24, 2023 9:08:29 GMT -8
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Post by vance on Mar 24, 2023 9:42:52 GMT -8
I just picked up a crusty looking GL. It isn't a beauty, and it might become a Scuba, like John's. It depends on how the boxes clean up. With the 3D exhaust rim, rubber sheet, and stainless clamp, the Scuba has become a viable diver.
It will be a winner with a GL valve all up in it. I haven't yet been able to replicate the GL venturi by drilling a jet into the valve body and adding a cover and venturi tube. It is a major improvement over the stock setup, but not as good as a GL.
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Post by spirou on Mar 24, 2023 9:49:56 GMT -8
hello phil, I can't wait to see pictures for your new réalisation
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Post by vance on Mar 24, 2023 14:06:39 GMT -8
John has already done this. See page 1 of this thread. His doesn't have the fancy 3D exhaust rim and custom band, but he has fitted a bit of rubber glove material (or something like) as a diaphragm.
James' design of the 3D rim retainer has a lip around the bottom circumference that pushes the rubber sheet down toward the exhaust horn end so it will actually sit on the opening, as the OEM diaphragm did. The new material (I use the rubber sheet that is used for physical therapy and exercise) creates a better seal than the original material. Simply stretching a bit of rubber sheet over the rim of the exhaust opening will not achieve an initial seal w/o fairly hard suction, but may in practice, due to a pressure differential while submerged(?).
This is careening off topic once again unless, begging your indulgence, we can stretch it a bit by me vaguely referencing a GL valve that is involved in the project.
If there's anyone interested who doesn't know about the several exhaustive (and exhausting) threads concerning the Scuba mods members have accomplished, well, there are.
Several.
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 24, 2023 17:23:26 GMT -8
The Scuba Delux and the Gold Label Scuba were made in part to get away from the original Scuba exhaust system, which was done to get away from the Cousteau patent. We have a detailed thread, which is here: vintagescuba.proboards.com/thread/5339/healthways-regulator-exhaust-diaphragm-duckbillNow, there was a lot of information on making a new duckbill for the interior of the horn on the orignal Scuba. But this duckbill was actually a backup to keep water from entering the exhaust hose when doing a surface dive in a head-down position. It was not needed in any other position. I do have a duckbill in my Healthways Scuba Hybrid regulator, but it is a simple cutdown of an old USD duckbill that I placed there. I also opened it up more, for greater opening diameters when exhaled breath goes through it. There are several dives I've made where I dove the Scuba Hybrid without the duckbill, and other than the initial clearing of the hose, it breathed wonderfully on exhalation. My exhalation valve now is two layers of nitrox medical glove material, held by the original wire wrap clamp, but with Shoe-Goo around it to ensure a seal. I have posted this diagram from a U.S. Divers Company publication from te 1962 called "Let's Go Diving," by Bill Barada, which show positioning and the diver using either single hose or double hose regulators. Two- vs Single-hose reg001 by John Ratliff, on Flickr You can see here how critical position is for getting the best breathing performance from a two-hose regulator. Here's what Bill Barada said in 1962 about regulator positioning: Here, you can see the advantage of small doubles with the position of the USD Mistral regulator on my back (in 1970): John Photos003 by John Ratliff, on Flickr J.Y. Cousteau himself, when in his last dive was suffering from lung disease from a lifetime of smoking, switched to a chest-mount double hose Mistral regulator. JY Cousteau in triples by John Ratliff, on Flickr John
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Post by vance on Mar 28, 2023 15:46:30 GMT -8
Please try to keep posts directly related to GL rebuilds, GL history, DH performance, etc. Off topic posts are interesting, but might need their own thread.
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Post by SeaRat on Mar 28, 2023 17:22:54 GMT -8
At one point I put really long hoses onto my Healthways Hybrid Gold Label, which did not seem to influence the breathing much at all. IMG_2704 by John Ratliff, on Flickr The Gold Label is a really great regulator. Note that I did not use the original mouthpiece though, and instead used a Hope-Page mouthpiece. These hoses are now on my Mistral, with a La Spiro Professional Mouthpiece. The Healthways Hybrid Gold Label has super-flex hoses with the Hope-Page Mouthpiece now. John
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Post by vance on Mar 29, 2023 15:29:45 GMT -8
Just got the GL.
Everything is good except that the label side box has quite a bit of chrome loss due to corrosion. It seems like it was left face down in a puddle of salt water too long. Good label, and 75% good chrome on the box. Box interiors are great and all the other parts are also.
The included hoses are pretty good, as well. No mouthpiece, though. No worries. I have a NOS mp.
Huh. It's a dilemma. I suppose it's good enough to rebuild as is. I already have a pair of valveless GL boxes (one great top and a crappy bottom) so this one will be sold after a refresh. Photos to follow!
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Post by vance on Mar 30, 2023 15:24:37 GMT -8
So here's some photos. The reg had decent hoses, but no mp, a pretty good main diaphragm, a good exhaust mushroom, and the chrome on the top box and interior is excellent. The label side (bottom) box suffered some chrome loss while sitting face down in a puddle of salt water. It's a shame. This is a super nice regulator, and is a beast with the venturi, esp with a USD hoseloop. I made a hoseloop out of good used hoses and a NOS, in the bag HW diverter mouthpiece.
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 30, 2023 15:50:36 GMT -8
Hmmmm? We could always paint it blue and make a special JC Higgins label for it Jus' sayin' JB
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Post by vance on Mar 30, 2023 17:52:01 GMT -8
That'd be kew, but I like to keep them stock, if possible. I forget if there was a JC Higgins GL?
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Post by nikeajax on Mar 30, 2023 18:12:19 GMT -8
No, they only had a rebadged Scuba Star...
JB
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Post by vance on Mar 31, 2023 8:15:34 GMT -8
No, they only had a rebadged Scuba Star... JB And a rebadged Mistral.
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