|
|
Post by vance on Feb 27, 2024 16:32:16 GMT -8
I just picked up this Dacor Viper first stage. I've been looking for a suitable first stage for a conversion similar to the Conshelf VI I adapted to fit a set of Mistral cans. That one is now living with James, who will test it out sometime in the Spring. This regulator will have a bent stainless steel tube feeding the second stage rather than a modified splitter. I will be enlisting Bill to do the bending, since I'm unable to produce anything satisfactory! The Viper appears to be a solid regulator with a 4K yoke, 3 LP, one DFC (dynamic flow control), and 2 HP ports. The DFC seems to be a gimmick that is supposed to provide enhanced flow to the second stage. Don't care. If it lines up well, I'll use it. The Viper's main qualification for the project is the protruding threads of the IP adjuster. This will be the attachment point for the modified Mistral top box, similar to the Conshelf regulator. I had to machine the Conshelf part, but this one will not need any modification. All I have to do is enlarge the center hole in the Mistral box, and make a nut for the IP adjuster. A gasket will seal it up. Don't worry! This is going in an orphan top box that is in not so great shape, so cutting it up isn't a tragedy. I don't feel bad turning a piece of junk into something new!  |
|
|
|
Post by vance on Feb 28, 2024 15:29:54 GMT -8
The idea on this one is to make a second stage that incorporates a fitting for an LP hose end (or other LP fitting), a hard seat, and an internally threaded boss that accepts either an HPR type second stage (27tpi) or a VTP Trieste style second stage (24tpi) shown below.  Most of my other custom regs have a cap type second stage poppet holder that screws on to a threaded cylinder that has a hard seat at the bottom. This works well.  IMG_4643 by Vancetp, on Flickr This example is delrin, which I have never used for a finished regulator. No reason not to...  IMG_4615 by Vancetp, on Flickr This is a finished version on my R-3 mod.  On the new one, I hope to make a second stage assembly that can use a standard USD second stage body or HPR, poppet, and spring. A custom lever will still need to be made. The second stage LP air supply will be provided by a compact, neatly bent stainless steel tube with SS fittings that will allow positioning of the first stage in the top box. This is a crude example that I made for an early version of the the Conshelf conversion.  IMG_5181 by Vancetp, on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by antique diver on Feb 28, 2024 21:09:16 GMT -8
A few months back, in anticipation of your need for it, I customized an SS tube adapter fitting that will work in one of the LP ports on your first stage. I'm not sure what you will need on the other end. Does that 90 degree adapter on the other end (last photo) have 1/4" NPT thread or 1/8"? Looking forward to helping with the tubing run. I hope I can make something suitable.
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Feb 29, 2024 12:57:21 GMT -8
A few months back, in anticipation of your need for it, I customized an SS tube adapter fitting that will work in one of the LP ports on your first stage. I'm not sure what you will need on the other end. Does that 90 degree adapter on the other end (last photo) have 1/4" NPT thread or 1/8"? Looking forward to helping with the tubing run. I hope I can make something suitable. Thanks, Bill! The photo with the tube and fittings is only a sample of the concept. I'm not considering those fittings for the new conversion. I want to use SS. I do have some 1/4" NPT SS elbows, but I need to find them! Perhaps 1/8" would be better. I'm going for sleek, so smaller fittings and maybe straight? I could possibly make the second stage adapter with a side port for the tube rather than on the end. Also, I can machine it to fit whatever size/type of fitting that would be best to use. I don't know what the tightest radius of the bends you can make is, and whether the tube will need to be on the longer side to accommodate the bends. In order to get the correct orientation of the second stage, the fitting at that end can't be fixed to the tube unless the pipe is bent with the adapter already soldered to it in the correct position. The other end must be able to rotate. I'll get in touch and we can discuss it when I get further along! |
|
|
|
Post by antique diver on Feb 29, 2024 21:30:19 GMT -8
A few months back, in anticipation of your need for it, I customized an SS tube adapter fitting that will work in one of the LP ports on your first stage. I'm not sure what you will need on the other end. Does that 90 degree adapter on the other end (last photo) have 1/4" NPT thread or 1/8"? Looking forward to helping with the tubing run. I hope I can make something suitable. Thanks, Bill! The photo with the tube and fittings is only a sample of the concept. I'm not considering those fittings for the new conversion. I want to use SS. I do have some 1/4" NPT SS elbows, but I need to find them! Perhaps 1/8" would be better. I'm going for sleek, so smaller fittings and maybe straight? I could possibly make the second stage adapter with a side port for the tube rather than on the end. Also, I can machine it to fit whatever size/type of fitting that would be best to use. I don't know what the tightest radius of the bends you can make is, and whether the tube will need to be on the longer side to accommodate the bends. In order to get the correct orientation of the second stage, the fitting at that end can't be fixed to the tube unless the pipe is bent with the adapter already soldered to it in the correct position. The other end must be able to rotate. I'll get in touch and we can discuss it when I get further along! The SS tubing is 1/4", 0.035 wall. The SS fitting I have made for the regulator port is straight. For the other end a 1/8" NPT to tube ell may be what is needed. I'm not sure I have one. Have lots of 1/4" straight and ell, but that wouldn't be as streamlined as using the 1/8", which would look much better. May have to acquire the right fitting when you decide on final configuration. About the bend radius, I think it's 0.75", but I'll have to double check that. |
|
|
|
Post by vance on Mar 12, 2024 7:24:57 GMT -8
I set the top can up on the mill and cut the hole for the first stage today. Next I started working on a second stage cap for a Dacor 2020 conversion. The photo shows it chucked up in the rotary table. The end mill is offset to cut the spring seat down at the bottom. This is what I will do on the second stage for this one, and is how I make the spring seat on all of my second stages now. I used to solder a piece of 1/4" brass rod into the body.  Next thing is to make a retaining nut for the end of the first stage and the second stage body and retaining nut. Once that's done, it goes on a little trip to Texas and back for the feed tube. Bill and I have been discussing what that will look like, but it's going to depend on how much room there is for fittings and bend radii. (BTW, it is now acceptable to say radiuses. That's the English language for you!) |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Mar 12, 2024 11:43:45 GMT -8
(BTW, it is now acceptable to say radiuses. That's the English language for you!) Apparently so is octopusses now too. So, what're ya doin' with all these Frankenrigs: sendin' 'em to Fred? JB |
|
|
|
Post by scubalawyer on Mar 12, 2024 11:45:00 GMT -8
I just saw your project. COOL! Gives me lots of ideas for future projects 😎👀
I will be eagerly awaiting updates!
M
|
|
|
|
Post by antique diver on Mar 12, 2024 12:11:51 GMT -8
(BTW, it is now acceptable to say radiuses. That's the English language for you!) Apparently so is octopusses now too. So, what're ya doin' with all these Frankenrigs: sendin' 'em to Fred? JB
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Mar 12, 2024 15:57:47 GMT -8
Here are photos of the first stage mounted in the box with its new retaining nut. I think a large delrin or brass washer will cover the Mistral box's locating pin hole, along with a gasket on the inside to seal it up. I'll fill the pin hole with JBWeld, as well. This one will not need a locating system, since the tube will keep the parts in position.   The LP port is shown pointing at the intake horn (it can be rotated as needed). The small area between the first stage body and the horn is where the second stage body will be mounted. The $60K question is, can a simple straight down J shaped tube and fittings fit there, or will I need a U-shaped bend to curve around to reach? I don't mind if it needs to be a U, but the J would be so sleek. |
|
|
|
Post by vance on Mar 12, 2024 15:59:48 GMT -8
I just saw your project. COOL! Gives me lots of ideas for future projects 😎👀 I will be eagerly awaiting updates! M I can't wait to see yours! If you need machining, let me know! I might be able to help. |
|
|
|
Post by vance on Mar 12, 2024 16:09:16 GMT -8
(BTW, it is now acceptable to say radiuses. That's the English language for you!) Apparently so is octopusses now too. So, what're ya doin' with all these Frankenrigs: sendin' 'em to Fred? JB Who knows where they might end up? Fred, Eb, Ty, James, Stephan, Swim Jim, you, and others have some of my modded regs. This one is an attempt to refine the ConWays conversion. If it works well, there are a lot of potential single hose first stage conversions to be made! |
|
|
|
Post by nikeajax on Mar 12, 2024 16:50:14 GMT -8
Well, I think it's pretty danged cool, whatever happens to them  JB |
|
|
|
Post by herman on Mar 12, 2024 17:54:32 GMT -8
Before you get too far into this, put the cans together, put it on a tank and see if you have enough clearance. I may be wrong but it looks like it may be a little too long. One of the plastic blown backpacks may be thick enough to give you the extra space you may need. Another option may be to cut down the main body some, thread it and set the first stage deeper into the cans. Looks like you could go at least another 1/4- 3/8 up on the main body if you need the room. The flow thru piston I did like this was just barely short enough to work with the close fitting BC I use for DH regs.
|
|
|
|
Post by vance on Mar 13, 2024 11:20:22 GMT -8
It's about 5/8" longer than a Titan II in FX boxes. I'll set it up on my tank with B/C and see how it fits.
|
|
