Vintage Double Hose

It has come up about dimensions for the Nemrod triple manifold. Here i have a picture of NOS triple and also a picture of a NOS USD manifold. Obviously the USD was intended for 6.9 inch tanks, steel 72s etc. The Nemord triple clearly has a smaller spacing. I don't think 6.9 inch diameter tanks would work. Anyways, I thought I would post these two beauties for comparison since a few people where curious.

Amazing to me sometimes how all of the old line companies, Nemrod, Voit, USD, Healthways, Sportsways, White Stag etc are gone and now all we have is weird stuff like Apecks and Atomic. Full line companies are gone. What remains are outsourcing boutique companies.

I intend to run derated Luxfer 40s on this manifold with bushings. At 2500 psi I would still have over 100 cf and would not over stress the valve. It is not the bushings I worry over but the fat old style O rings. I like a tank set to stay near neutral, from a few pounds negative at start to a few pounds positive when empty. No current steel tanks in the 30/40 cf range do this--that I know of.

James

This valve came from a shop in the USA. I recall seeingthem here and there way back. Does anyone remember what tanks were being fitted to them and what the logicof a triple was.

A text I have ,concerning triples, states that they were popular in Europe but only entertained a small following here and only for a brief time.

Why I wonder, who used these, with what and where and the same for the very similar USD triple manifold.

Also, the triple sets I recall and I only remember a very few, the tank decal was set on the center tank only.

Anothr question, the two manifolds shown, approximately what years where these sold in USA dive shops?

James

Don't know about the Nemrod but the USD with the plastic knobs is about mid 70's when the first generation AL tanks came out.

Here is a neat picture from The Complete Book of Diving showing a USD triple set. It appears similar to the Nemrod unit.



Nemrod

The USD triple manifold used the two end pieces from a double and added a center. Note the typical cone into flare seal.



Now here is a newer Sherwood dual post, notice also it uses the old style cone in flare seal method.



Now, compare the Nemrod, notice that is actually uses an O-ring seal and that this allows some minor adjustability of the C/C dimensions---just like a modern isolation dual manifold.



I can tell there is a lo tof interest, lol, but I think it is funny how various companies had different solutions for the same problems. They claim the modern isolation manifolds are superior because of the O-rings and here we find an old Nemrod that used that solution.

Nemrod

FYI, the old USD metal to metal seal is an oxygen fitting. CGA1340 if I remember correctly. You can get mates at some welding supplies.

Well I can test this out, I have that USD double manifold and out in the shop I have several oxygen welding regulaters, in the process of replaceing my Harris with two stage Smith's.

Edit update: The USD uses the standard OXY set up, I conected an OXY reg to the right tank side and it fit perfect.
BTW it wouldn't be that hard to machine a o-ring groove for better sealing.
LPG cylinders have used an o-ring for better seal for years now, and it still has a metal to metal seal so if the o-ring blows the leak will still be slow.

I have posted pics on SB and VDH of my triple 35's using cut down Nemrod manifold. Be aware that the O rings on the arms and regulator port are metric. I can furnish dimensions if needed. The "fat" O ring is good to 3000 psi. Never had any problem after realizing that they are metric but the nearly identical SAE ring will blow at 3000. Actually, the large ring is identical to a Poseidon product (Cyclone part). The small rings will have to be special ordered as no dive shop is likely to have them.

I can't seem to find your triple tank pictures. Can you supply a link?

BTW, I saw a Nemrod triple manifold on eBay today.

WD8CDH wrote:I can't seem to find your triple tank pictures. Can you supply a link?

BTW, I saw a Nemrod triple manifold on eBay today.

WD8CDH, Here's a link to pescador775's photos over on ScaryBoard:

Triple 35's using cut down Nemrod manifold (1)

Triple 35's using cut down Nemrod manifold (2)


Pesky, I searched VDH and didn't find any pictures of your triple 35's in your posts or in your gallery (there is a set of doubles in your gallery).

Nemrod,

Is the Sherwood manifold crossbar the same threads as the USD?

Thanks,

WD8CDH wrote:Nimrod,

Is the Sherwood manifold crossbar the same threads as the USD?

Thanks,

They use different size connections.