Reproduction Main Diaphragms

[duckbill]

I was wondering the same thing regarding adhesive. Not many adhesives stick to silicone. Maybe silicone caulk?

[treasureman]

last Diaphragm I had where the metal was unglued, it was recommended by 9 out of ten double hose divers that I use silicone caulking.. the tenth double hose diver was too busy being certified as a NAVED Death squad member

[Bryan]

I am sure the manufacturer has some suggestions. You are correct, it's hard to get anything to stick to silicone and or polished stainless steel. Silicone caulking, Aqua-Seal will work I'm sure.

I am getting the center plates re-done as well but they may take longer to finish than the diaprhagms themselves. That's why I was suggesting that everyone hold on to their old diaphragms and salvage the center section. That way you could purchase a new diaprhagm use the center you already have and not wait for the new ones.

[Greg Barlow]

[

quote="Bryan"]I am sure the manufacturer has some suggestions. You are correct, it's hard to get anything to stick to silicone and or polished stainless steel. Silicone caulking, Aqua-Seal will work I'm sure.

There isn't a whole lot that Aqua-Seal won't adhere too. If you roughen up polished stainless steel with a Scotch Brite pad it will work a bit better.

Greg

[Sea Explorer]

There is a product called Sil-Poxy that is designed for adhering silicone to other materials as well as gluing silicone to silicone. It is available from Smooth-On. http://www.smooth-on.com/silpoxy%20adhesive.htm
I have used this on the silicon diaphragms. Works well. -Ryan

[Bryan]

I would say we have a winner!! Thank you Ryan

[Bryan]

Sample Diaphragms......still have some challenges but we are off to a great start!

[Bryan]

Light at the end of a very long and $$$$ tunnel. The manufacturer is doing a 3rd revision on the diaphragms and we should have 6 samples to test at Wazee and Portage.
For those divers that are comfortable with their double hose abilities and would like to try them out in your regulators please send me an E-mail. I need your feedback before giving the go ahead for final production.

The 1st batch Looked fantastic! They fit in the cans perfectly and the band clamp made a nice tight seal on every one. Unfortunately when I went to install the center disc the recess in the diaphragm was too small ??? The ID of the cavity in the diaphragm measured out to be 2.87 but the OD of the center disc is 3.00…WTF….. The drawing showed the measurement to the edge of the small lip that covers the rim of the diaphragm, not the full width that the diaphragm actually sets in……They had samples of them but did not question the drawings…..SOOOOO the 1st batch was scrapped……
The 2nd batch came back $$$$$$ center was perfect. Fit in the can was perfect and it performed pretty darn good on the bench…..I felt there was too much performance still left on the table and got back on the phone with the manufacturer. The area of the diaphragm between the crown and the rim is where most of the flexibility and responsiveness to the inhalation effort lies. On the 2nd batch the thickness was .045.
The 3rd revision will be in a lower # durometer and the wall thickness will be .030 I’m using that # because it is an average of all the new silicone diaphragms that I could find in single hoses to measure from.
Keep your fingers crossed! I am hoping these will be the answer to all of the regulators out there that just breathe so-so due to an old stiff main diaphragm.

[1969ivan1]

Wow! Who would have thought just a few years ago that we would have new diaphragms for these old regs avail to us? Once again we are in debt to you Bryan, keep up the good work. I am really looking forward to seeing these diaphragms in action at PORTAGE!

[JES]

Bryan,

From your description these new diaphragms sound incredible!

I agree totally with Rob when he stated "Once again we are in debt to you Bryan, keep up the good work."

[luis]

This is great!
Thanks Bryan

[Bryan]

I owe a lot of thanks to Ryan Spence. After I tried out his home built silicone diaphragm I realized what great potential it had for everyone else...

[Bryan]

I don't plan on them staying clear in color for the main production, these are only the samples... but the durometer and flexibility are there!!! Also the diaphragm with the center in it is one of the hot off the press new reproduction phenolic centers for the Mistral/Stream-Air/ Jet-Air series. This is an EXACT duplicate.....The new stainless steel centers for the DA series should be along next week.
If the trials all go well at Wazee and Portage I can see these being available by then end of the month. Price (dont' hold me to it) $25.00-$30.00

[simonbeans]

By golly I think you got it!!!!

I am looking forward in trying them in my Mistral this weekend. As always VDH is at the top. Good job Sir.
See you and Brit at the DI.
Allan

[luis]

Those look great.

I kind of like them clear. It would make it easier to inspect that the tabs are hitting the horse shoe correctly before closing the box. Once closed no one else would see it anyway. But if you feel that the preference would be for black that would be good too. I am just glad to see new diaphragms.

Thanks Bryan.