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Post by SeaRat on Aug 26, 2023 18:24:02 GMT -8
So this has been happening over the last five to six years, correct?
John
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Post by Fibonacci on Aug 26, 2023 20:11:34 GMT -8
To be honest after the last failure I just chucked it in a dive bin and forgot about it for the past three years Then Covid, lockdowns and other priorities. Only recently returned to sorting mine out after being contacted by two other Kraken owners with similar issues. One of whom has now chucked his in a dive bin in frustration and wonβt dive it any more π€·π»ββοΈ
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cg43
Senior Diver
Posts: 90
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Post by cg43 on Aug 27, 2023 6:54:58 GMT -8
Hello
During ordinary use , littel irregularities enclosed , what force shoud destroy the seat rapidly ?
I don't see any .
In Spirou's thread Aqualung blue seat...... is a drawing of the first stage Conshelf . It uses the same type seat and orivice like the Kraken . But there are important differences in the way the IP is distributed and this may be the reason for a differened behaivoir when the tank valve is opend fast.
That's my guess : Turning on the tank the first great airflow produces a difference in the pressure on both side of the seat . The resulting force try's to move the seat , but the pin hold by the big IP spring holds against . After a very short time the rising IP has compensated a part of the spring force and the seat is shoot against the orivice . This dynamic behavior is not easy to understand it may be differend from my guess .
The Conshelf's only connection between the IP room and the diaphragm is the hole nummer 154 in the drawing . This restrict the rising IP pressure speed and therefore of the diaphragm and pin and the seat . The Kraken on the other hand has a very good connection between IP and diaphragm and no limitation in the speed the diaphragm is feed with IP pressure .
An owner of a Kraken should try : Open the tank valve ( about 3000psi) very slow , cycle a frew times ,release pressur . 10 times , or 50 times , or 100 times . If all went well , try the same but open the valve as fast as possibel .
I bet there is a big difference .
Greetings Rainer
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Post by vance on Aug 27, 2023 14:27:47 GMT -8
Because "I yam what I yam", I'd try an old style (PITA to change the o'ring) balance chamber (the old one w/o the new backup washers and what-not) with a new o'ring all up in it and a new blue seat, just for grins.
See how that poppet lasts.
Can't hurt!
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Post by tr3a on Sept 1, 2023 13:07:26 GMT -8
I have found this thread to be interesting. I have a Kraken purchased in Jan 2017. The HP seat in mine (trident) started failing at about 35 dives. I replaced it with an Aqualung seat, almost 500 dives later IP is solid. I have stripped it down several times for cleaning, reusing same HP seat (as I have done for over 50 years). O-rings and diaphragms changed. My son also has a Kraken (2015 I think). He loaned it to me for a trip, when I was getting ready to return it the IP spiked. That was also a Trident seat, I replaced it with an Aqualung seat and it has been good (since 2016).
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Post by vance on Sept 1, 2023 14:17:22 GMT -8
I have found this thread to be interesting. I have a Kraken purchased in Jan 2017. The HP seat in mine (trident) started failing at about 35 dives. I replaced it with an Aqualung seat, almost 500 dives later IP is solid. I have stripped it down several times for cleaning, reusing same HP seat (as I have done for over 50 years). O-rings and diaphragms changed. My son also has a Kraken (2015 I think). He loaned it to me for a trip, when I was getting ready to return it the IP spiked. That was also a Trident seat, I replaced it with an Aqualung seat and it has been good (since 2016). Hello and welcome to the board! Good news that your Aqualung seats have worn well.
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Post by antique diver on Sept 1, 2023 16:53:14 GMT -8
I have found this thread to be interesting. I have a Kraken purchased in Jan 2017. The HP seat in mine (trident) started failing at about 35 dives. I replaced it with an Aqualung seat, almost 500 dives later IP is solid. I have stripped it down several times for cleaning, reusing same HP seat (as I have done for over 50 years). O-rings and diaphragms changed. My son also has a Kraken (2015 I think). He loaned it to me for a trip, when I was getting ready to return it the IP spiked. That was also a Trident seat, I replaced it with an Aqualung seat and it has been good (since 2016). Hello and welcome to the board! Good news that your Aqualung seats have worn well. For this particular part it just doesn't pay to use the cheap aftermarket seat!
Btw, since I have a stash of those I haven't bought any for a couple of years, so what is the going rate on the Aqualung seat now?
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Post by tr3a on Sept 2, 2023 9:36:55 GMT -8
Not sure of cost. I got a stash a while back when local shops were going out of business. On the rare occasions when IP starts getting wonky (on US Divers regulators) I have found it is usually the balance chamber o-ring. I have always reused HP seats without issue.
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Post by spirou on Sept 3, 2023 22:49:03 GMT -8
I have found this thread to be interesting. I have a Kraken purchased in Jan 2017. The HP seat in mine (trident) started failing at about 35 dives. I replaced it with an Aqualung seat, almost 500 dives later IP is solid. I have stripped it down several times for cleaning, reusing same HP seat (as I have done for over 50 years). O-rings and diaphragms changed. My son also has a Kraken (2015 I think). He loaned it to me for a trip, when I was getting ready to return it the IP spiked. That was also a Trident seat, I replaced it with an Aqualung seat and it has been good (since 2016). Hello, Almost same constatation. I have several aqualungs and I only use original HP seats and membranes, I also reuse HP seats although it is preferable to replace them each time I dismantle them, and I haven't encountered any problems yet. For information in Europe SCUBA GASKET has been offering aqualung seat generics since June, I haven't tried any yet. Only my cyclone (VDH) on my RAM should be equipped with a trident, I have about ten dives with it and I have no problem with it. Fred.
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Post by Fibonacci on Feb 20, 2024 17:23:14 GMT -8
Mooching about on the SCUBA Museum site revealed an updated Kraken exhaust valve is now available to correct the 'sticktion' issue to the main LP diaphragm: On some very specific circumstances a wet exhaust valve inside the Kraken can, can become stuck to the main diaphragm rendering the regulator locked up. The regulator will not deliver air and the diver will not be able to start his dive until he opens his can and peels the valve away from the main diaphragm. β This will not likely happen while diving, but can happen on the boat just as you are getting ready and it can be super annoying.β This specially designed replacement exhaust valve is made of food grade silicone and has a built in stand off that makes this rare but annoying occurrence impossible. β Installation is as easy as removing the original valve and lubing the stem of the new valve with some hand sanitizer and pulling it into place.β You are buying one valve and supplies are limited so please be kind and only order the amount you need.β www.thescubamuseum.com/Online%20Store/onlinestore.htm#!/Kraken-exhaust-can-valve-upgrade/p/597436658 Good to see this being addressed, but I beg to differ on when and how it can happen, it has certainly occurred regularly underwater for both myself and others until corrected with the Apeks AP1429 valve!
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Post by SeaRat on Feb 20, 2024 17:43:18 GMT -8
This happened to me with the Healthways Scuba Delux regulator, when I removed the inhalation non-return valve from the mouthpiece. Because I pressurized the main diaphragm on exhalation, it totally blocked the exhalation non-return mushroom valve in the box. My solution was two-fold. I replaced the Healthways hose/mouthpiece system with a USD hose/mouthpiece system, and I also glued a stainless nut to the top box just outside the diameter of the mushroom exhalation valve. That way there was always a space (the "built-in standoff") so the mushroom valve could function.
The other thing I have done with my USD Royal Aquamaster and my Mossback Mark 3 is not to use the duckbill eliminator, but stay with the duckbill valve. I like my duckbills, even though they do wear out.
John
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