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Post by nikeajax on Jul 19, 2020 12:38:02 GMT -8
Terry, with that new diaphragm I think you'll be very impressed with the cracking effort-- REALLY! When these regs were new they were pretty good: unfortunately people judge them by their old diaphragms. No, it won't be like a downstream valve but it will make you feel safer not having to be Jack Lalanne to inhale! Here's a diagram of the valve for it: JB
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Post by tomcatpc on Jul 19, 2020 14:42:06 GMT -8
Jack Lulane lung machine...that is my US Divers DA Navy Approved!!! My Scuba Star is better than that!!
Mark
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Post by Terry on Jul 19, 2020 17:59:00 GMT -8
That's the one; the pressure relief valve. I first noticed a very small trickle of bubbles where it screws into the first stage and as soon as I removed it I could tell that the O-ring needed to be replaced. I disassembled the valve and cleaned it up real good and after installing a new O-ring I installed the valve back in the first stage. I then got out the "Bible"; my copy of Basic Scuba to check on the procedure for readjusting this valve and then took it out to the pool to wet test it only to determine that I now had a new and different leak. It was now trickling bubbles from the area of the adjustment screw and no matter how much I tightened it the trickle continued. I was now sure that the seat needed to be replaced, and you know that old saying: I coulda, woulda, shoulda - well I didn't. So I finally determined that now would be a good time to pull the stem, remove the seat from the seat carrier and install a new seat; after all it would have been way too easy and made too much sense to have done this when I had it apart the first time - DUH! As it turned out the seat was in great shape and all I had to do was flip it over and use the reverse side; got it reinstalled, readjusted and now all is working jus fine. After pool testing it again at this time I decided that I did want to install a new 2nd stage diaphragm to improve it's performance. You're right JB; the performance of these regs back when they were brand new was pretty good. My very first reg was the 1961 HW Scuba Star and I was always pleased with it's performance; so it will be fun to get that new diaphragm installed and get her out on a real dive. Thanks for your replies guys, and for your help JB!
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Post by nikeajax on Jul 20, 2020 8:58:51 GMT -8
Terry, I wonder if you had a piece of schmootz on your valve seat? The later models of the Scuba Star won't let you turn the seat over JB
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Post by Terry on Jul 20, 2020 11:25:21 GMT -8
JB; when I removed the stem from this PRV it reminded me of the stem and seat holder on the 2nd stage of the USD DAAM. I was able to use a small dental pic to remove the seat and it just popped it out of the seat holder. When I removed it the back side appeared to have a very small dab of some type of adhesive on it. It fit tight enough that after I cleaned it up and reinstalled it I just popped it into the seat holder without any adhesive and it is in there good and tight. The seat material was smaller in diameter than the one for the 2nd stage USD DAAM; but it looked and felt like the same type of material. Once it was flipped and reinstalled it worked fine. This is the first one I've ever taken apart so I don't have any experience with any other.
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Post by nikeajax on Jul 20, 2020 13:33:15 GMT -8
Oh, I was referring to the piston seat! Hey, is yours the darker blue label or the lighter blue? The lighter labels are older like on Mark's second image. Also, how many spokes do you have on your exhaust seat? The first ones had three. I got this one from CJ for working on a reg for him: Another thing about the Scuba Star, the equalization ports are always round: in 1962 the Scubairs got egg-shaped EQ-ports. Just little fun facts I thought you might enjoy JB
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Post by Terry on Jul 20, 2020 15:06:17 GMT -8
JB we're on the same page now. I thought you were referring to the PRV seat and never realized you meant the piston seat. In fact now that I think about it I changed that seat some months ago during the winter. I found some matching seats at my LDS and replaced the old one with one of them. I was also able to use a dental pic and pop that seat out of the piston seat holder as well just like the PRV seat. The one in the piston was a white nylon?? material and after popping it out I just popped in the new one - VOILA! As for my Scuba Star; it's the lighter blue.
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Post by tomcatpc on Jul 20, 2020 18:51:07 GMT -8
Blimey! Now I got to find a blue painted 2nd stage version for myself!!! I highly recommend finding a circa 1962-1967-ish Scubair regulator someday if you happen to find one. I love diving mine! But this topic is about the Scuba Star... Mark
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Post by snark3 on Jul 21, 2020 14:53:56 GMT -8
JB- My 1974 Scuba Star has oval equalization ports. Bought it new in '74 haven't used it in years. It's by far the worst reg I've ever used, kinda soured me on Healthways.
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Post by nikeajax on Jul 21, 2020 15:19:03 GMT -8
Skip, at that point HW had changed the design of their covers: The Scuba Star even then was using the original style, I think until 1975 with their "black labels", so perhaps they used the Scubair covers to get rid of them? Thanks for pointing that out! JB
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Post by snark3 on Jul 23, 2020 9:02:22 GMT -8
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Post by nikeajax on Jul 23, 2020 11:28:45 GMT -8
It was the Quick Klips I was actually thinking of and not the top cover that they recycled as your image shows. But, on the original style, first and second generations and perhaps even third gens the Scuba Star had round vents, and not not the ellipses found on the scubair... JB
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Post by vance on Jul 23, 2020 15:42:47 GMT -8
My 2 ScubaStar TDQKs have round holes.
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Post by nikeajax on Jul 23, 2020 17:02:33 GMT -8
Thanks PY: those are the third generation with the ScubaPro cans JB
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Post by snark3 on Jul 24, 2020 1:36:59 GMT -8
Dang Now you guys have me thinking. I was thinking I'd never dive this Scuba Star again, now I'm thinking I might be able to make it a dive able reg. Youse guys are killing me.
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