USD Conshelf XI Parts or Rebuild?

[artc]

I need some opinions. I found a really beat up old Conshelf XI on Ebay for $15. So, I went ahead and bought it for parts. I have two projects; an early Calypso and a RAM Project where the parts would be useful. After quite a struggle, I managed to take the Conshelf completely apart. I think I can restore it.  Or should I proceed with using the parts as planned?  If I restore the Conshelf, I would probably limit it to hull cleaning duty. What would you do?


IMG_0272 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr

[SeaRat]

I’d simply restore it to its full potential. I’d get new diaphragms for it though. It has the larger exhaust, but not with the cup that the later Calypso had (so as to open mostly in air). This is actually a great regulator in and of itself. I also see no reason to restrict it to hull cleaning. It looks like the exhaust deflector is history though, so your call.

John

[artc]

Thanks John. Yes, I’d rebuild it with all new parts, so while it wouldn’t win any beauty contests, with a new diaphragm, springs and hp seat it would work better then new. I really like USD regulators and I have a special fondness for Conshelf’s. I agree the exhaust tee is trashed, but I have a spare.

[vance]

Jan 19, 2023 14:55:31 GMT -8 artc said:

I need some opinions. I found a really beat up old Conshelf XI on Ebay for $15. So, I went ahead and bought it for parts. I have two projects; an early Calypso and a RAM Project where the parts would be useful. After quite a struggle, I managed to take the Conshelf completely apart. I think I can restore it.  Or should I proceed with using the parts as planned?  If I restore the Conshelf, I would probably limit it to hull cleaning duty. What would you do?


IMG_0272 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr

Why would you limit a great regulator to shallow water duty? Unless it's shedding flakes of chrome on the inside, it will perform perfectly if rebuilt.

BTW, If you need some RAM parts, contact me. I have some loose balance chambers and other spare first stage parts (not nozzle springs, unfortunately).  I also have a couple of complete, rebuilt RAM valves.

Email me to discuss what you need. You should have my gmail address. If not, go to my profile.

[james1979]

I'd rebuild it and put it back in the water for regular use (not restricted duty). If your not going to rebuild the second stage, I'd happily put it to use, lol. Also, let me know if you need more printed T's for them.... I might get crazy and try to come up with a printed screw on T that incorporates an air "cup" similar to the press on ones.

[artc]

Thanks Phil and James, I will be emailing you both.

[artc]

Well, I'm so glad I listened to the experts. I gave the parts a vineger/water bath and they cleaned up much better then I expected. As I mentioned before, I added all new internal parts including hp seat, springs, o-ring and backup ring in the balance chamber and a new filter and clip. Asthetically, I replaced the heavy yoke and yoke screw with the long yoke that the Conshelf XI came with. The first stage came out better than I ever imagined it would. Tomorrow, I'll tackle the second stage. I hope it turns out as nice as the first satge did. Thanks to all of you that helped me make a good decision.

IMG_0274 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr

IMG_0275 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr

[artc]

Oh, I set the IP at 135 psi and it locks up great.

[james1979]

If you don't need it as a daily diver, Phil and I are cooking up something that might intrigue you.
I'll just leave that mystery dangling here until I get the pictures sorted for new thread!

[herman]

If anyone wants one or more, there is a guy so Scubaboard selling several of them for $15 each. I have way too many regs as it is otherwise I would grab a couple.

[nikeajax]

Yeah, good decision lad!



I can't remember what they're called, was it the NAVCON, the black military version of the Connie; anyway, I always wanted to make a faux-version with one that had crapped out cans... OK, you can see one here:

www.vintagescubasupply.com/regsingle.html

JB

[artc]

Hi JB. As I recall, the NAVCON was US Divers civilian version on the military non-mag Conshelf VI. I have a NAVCON and the internal parts are the same as a regular Conshelf VI. I understand that the military version is quite rare and highly collectable.

IMG_0276 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr

[nikeajax]

Jan 20, 2023 11:26:39 GMT -8 artc said:

As I recall, the NAVCON was US Divers civilian version on the military non-mag Conshelf VI. I have a NAVCON and the internal parts are the same as a regular Conshelf VI. I understand that the military version is quite rare and highly collectable.

From the VSCF-site:

"This is a very hard to find non-magnetic U.S. Divers Conshelf VI military regulator. These were introduced in the mid-1960's, replacing the non-magnetic DA Aquamaster. They were used by Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) teams when working around magnetic mines."

I was thinking it would be fun to have/use one that wasn't actually rare

JB

[SeaRat]

Jan 20, 2023 11:26:39 GMT -8 artc said:

Hi JB. As I recall, the NAVCON was US Divers civilian version on the military non-mag Conshelf VI. I have a NAVCON and the internal parts are the same as a regular Conshelf VI. I understand that the military version is quite rare and highly collectable.

IMG_0276 by Arthur Challacombe, on Flickr

I'm pretty sure that the military version, for EOD, was anti-magnetic and the internal parts were gold plated, rather than chrome plated. That's how the DA Aquamaster was done.

Two USS photos by John Ratliff, on Flickr
One of the divers at the U.S. Naval School for Underwater Swimmers in Key West, Flordia has a black DA Aquamaster. These were the anti-magnetic regulators.

John

[artc]

John, I agree about the gold plated parts for the military version. My NAVCON has standard USD parts just like the Conshelf VI. Perhaps USD used their extra exterior parts to sell the faux military regulator to the civilian public. I understand they never wasted anything.