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Post by stephen on Feb 7, 2006 18:53:25 GMT -8
Hi vintage scuba community. This looks like an interesting place. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice. I just bought a US Divers Royal Aquamaster. It looks like it has never been used, but I took off the hoses to clean a film of red dust that had accumulated off. It seems like there was some substance used where the hoses join the reg ports, as they were a little sticky. Can anyone tell me what I use when I put the hoses back on and when I put the wagon wheels back in the mouthpiece? Do I coat the contact areas with something?
Also, is it ok to use silicone on the rubber as a protectant (eg. Seal Saver)?
I hate to say it but, while I was washing the reg last night, the dust cap became loose and I think a SMALL amount of water might have gotten in. How serious is this?
Sincerely,
Stephen
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Post by duckbill on Feb 7, 2006 23:00:40 GMT -8
Ahhh! Saw your post on SB. The water in the 1st stage utterly ruins the regulator. Please send it to me for proper disposal. Just kidding, of course  . Just do as the Captain said over at SB and you'll probably be just fine, as long as the regulator was in good shape to begin with. Sometimes rubber gets gummy if compressed for a long time. Maybe that's what happened to your hoses at the ports. Then again, I have seen some hoses that were apparently sealed on with aquaseal or the like. Do yourself a big favor and don't bother gooping anything on there. Better to buy a nice new set of hoses from Dan here at Vintage SCUBA Supply (to reduce the risk of catastrophic failure, if your hoses are at all old), use his quick release hose clamps, and have the ability to easily and quickly remove and wash the hoses and regulator after every dive session. A good tight hose clamp should make the seal. Even though the hose clamps I just mentioned are touted as capable of being installed and removed without tools, I have found that such is not the case. I use a pair of ChannelLocks to really get them as snug as possible, and a screwdriver to push the end of the clamp through sideways to remove. One of the hose clamps (the one at the regulator outlet) needed to be shortened a tooth or two to get a good seal. The exhaust side is fine because of the extra diameter due to the duckbill (don't forget to get one of those from Dan, too). Hope this helps, and WELCOME  |
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Post by stephen on Feb 7, 2006 23:27:56 GMT -8
Thank you very much for the information, Duckbill.
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Post by nemrod on Feb 8, 2006 0:47:28 GMT -8
Everything Duckbill said Ditto. But, I have seen that red goop on hoses. At some time they must have used some type of goop to stick the hoses and valve cages. You do not need any goop, glue or AquaSeal anywhere with one possible exception, it may be prudent to put one small dab of AquaSeal on the duckbill and stick it to the can top so that it cannot get inverted. Also,yes, silicone can be used on the hoses and valves and all that. Pure talc powder also helps keep things like the duckbill from sticking together. I bet your hoses are still good--could be wrong but do not toss them unless they show cracks splits or checking.
Even if the regulator is virtually new it might be wise to send it to Dan or Bryan for a look over especially since you got water in it. I would put it on the tank and breath it for a while, the dry tank air should dry the innards out for you nicely.
Join up with us, vintage is the one true way!
Nemrod
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Post by Broxton GOMEZ on Feb 8, 2006 5:34:23 GMT -8
That "RED GOOP" is silicon sealant. It used to be used for windshields, and scuba hoses, and as a false teedh adhesive. Now it is used for high temp valve cover sealant. You dont need that stuff. Just spray your rubber parts with liquid silicone spray to prevent tearing the parts, and your good for another 40 years. You can buy a big can at walmart for 1.65
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Post by Broxton Gomez on Feb 8, 2006 5:37:28 GMT -8
That "RED GOOP" is silicon sealant. It used to be used for windshields, and scuba hoses, and as a false teeth adhesive. Now it is used for high temp valve cover sealant. You dont need that stuff. Just spray your rubber parts with liquid silicone spray to prevent tearing the parts, and your good for another 40 years. You can buy a big can at walmart for 1.65 Why dont I proff read this stuff before pushing the button? What idiot spells teedh that way   |
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. Just do as the Captain said over at SB and you'll probably be just fine, as long as the regulator was in good shape to begin with.
