Are longer mouthpiece hose clamps available?

[Greg Barlow]

I was very happy to find that Dr. Miller had sent me a new USN marked mouthpiece for my Voit Navy. It appears to be the same overall shape as the original Voit marked gray version. Upon installation, I found that the hose sections are of a thicker material. They hold the valve cages well, but being of thicker material, the hose clamps need to be around 0.25" longer than normal ones. I have tried original Voit ones, along with Bryan's reproductions. They worked, but needed longer screws to hold the nut securely. The protusion that normally fits under the opposite side barely touches the adjoining material. I am hoping that Bryan's provider also makes them in a longer size. Bryan's versions appear to be the same that Dive Rite uses on some of their products.

Any help, as usual, is much appreciated.

Greg

[1969ivan1]

I did not know Bryan made repro hose clamps also? I will have to pay more attn to the store!

[YankDownUnder]

The hose clamps don't have to be longer, just the bolts. You can get stailess steel bolts and nuts at any good marine supply store. Better hardware stores have them too.

[Greg Barlow]

I already installed longer bolts, but there is a gap of around 0.25" between the two "ears". If I can find a clamp with a minimum inside diameter of 1.875" it will work perfectly. Bryan's measure out at 1.750".

Greg

[Bryan]

Greg, it's not like I made them and can do other sizes....They are NOS USD hose clamps that I got from various auctions and bulk purchases.
High quality zip ties are all I have been using on my regulators for a year or so now. La Spirotechnique used them extensively on Royal Mistrals and they work GREAT!
If you go to a specialty electrical supplies store where contractors and electricians buy items for large jobs, ask to see their Thomas and Betts catalog. You can get just about any size, color and strength rating. You will have to buy a whole bag of them as a general rule but they have other uses. DO NOT use cheap wire ties from dollar general, wal mart etc etc. Use professional quality ties and I think you will be pleased with the results. May not be for everyone but has worked great for me…..Your results may vary.

[Greg Barlow]

Bryan,

I, too, have used the high quality zip ties. I got a bag of them from the local telephone company. They are UV resistant, and designed to last for a decade out in the everchanging Ohio weather.

The NOS ones that I got from you are dimensionally and cosmetically identical to the ones that Dive Rite uses on their equipment. I have done a search on the web for a photo depicting them, but have had no luck. I am planning on talking to Dive Rite to try to find out the manufacturer, or at least a distributor.

I wonder what the USN did to rectify this? They might have used zip ties, or even stainless clamps of some sort.

Greg

[Bryan]

Those USN hoses and mouthpieces would survive an all out Panzer attack. They are super heavy duty and I have never seen any like them in photos or descriptions anywhere. I bet they have a unique history! I'm willing to bet that the USN had some special hose clamps.

[Greg Barlow]

Let's see....Uncle Sam picks up the tab....My guess is they were custom made Tinnerman's made of titanium. Of course, gold alloys are inert in sea water...

Oh, to have such a checkbook.

Greg

[1969ivan1]

When I bought mine from Sam I "think" that he told me that they were made for the USN but never deployed? If that is true they may not have solve the issue of getting larger clamps? Perhaps Sam can enlighten us?
At any rate a good sized zip tie is the way to go IMO. I have started using zip ties on a lot of my regs and am starting to prefer it franlkly.

[21]

I just noticed this post--sorry for not responding sooner.

The hoses and mouth peices were made for the USN with exacting specifications. They were produced from a thicker and in the case of the hoses a stiffer compond. Therefore, they do not approximate like the commerical versions and a gap will be noticed.

Many including my self use a Stainless steel nut and bolt which is slightly longer to join the componets using normal US Divers plastic hose clamps.

Yes there is a slight gap.

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