Vintage Double Hose

I disassembled my Voit 50 Fathom today and cleaned it up in my new ultra sonic. It was either that or beat my dog today.

While I understand that they are based on the USD Mistral, I was wondering if there was an o-ring inside the Voit. I know where it is on the DW, but couldn't find one on the Voit.

According to the exploded diagram for the Blue 50 Fathom aka V55 Regulator, there is only one O-ring, between the body and plunger pin..

capn_tucker wrote:According to the exploded diagram for the Blue 50 Fathom aka V55 Regulator, there is only one O-ring, between the body and plunger pin..

OK, strike that. I assumed when you said you had a blue 50 Fathom, I didn't realize you meant blue painted 50 Fathom. According to the parts list for the 50 Fathom, there are no O-rings...

Thanks... I'm surprised there are no o-rings... If the winds drop a little, I'll see how she breaths tomorrow.

Unless you have the second edition blue cycolac version, the V55, it is not a Mistral design. All other Voit 50 Fathom models are the Gagnan downstream valve mechanisms. US Divers never had an equivalent model.

Your reg will breathe easiest with higher pressure. It is safe to use with 3,000psi, but it will probably leak from the excessive pressure on the downstream seat. The regs were typically adjusted to 2,400 of pressure. It will breathe considerably hard with pressure below 1,000psi.

There are a number of users/tuners that report much better breathing effort when the side venturi hole is pointed at the intake hose. This requires removal of the locator pin in the body and rotation of the valve assembly.

Greg Barlow

That idea worked for me. It is not a great breather. I have heard of some who have replaced the mechanism with Mistral parts. Sort of fake, however.

Thanks for the tip...
I dove it today and I can attest that at low pressures it is a bear to breath... not as fun as my Mistral. I'll try to rotate the block and see how that helps.

simonbeans wrote:That idea worked for me. It is not a great breather. I have heard of some who have replaced the mechanism with Mistral parts. Sort of fake, however.

An act such as that should be a crime! The Gagnan valve is unique in its operation, even with its faults.

Greg