Vintage maybe not?

[Robohips77]

Ok lets go back to the days when they made their own manifold. I need that triple manifold for an ABS USD system. Can't find one so lets make one. I have put together many a cascade system. Lets figure this one out.. Lets use all stainless fitings and stainless tubing. How do I plumb it into a standard valve. what about using an old style USD valve that is plumbed for the j-valve? I know the manifold is the right thing but heck this is a challenge now.

[YankDownUnder]

Some of the early valves were made to be plumbed into other configurations by using the system you suggest. They used the existing HP ports. The early La Spirotechnique side reserve was made to do this, but they are hard to find and allowed for only one additional tank. I would suggest using an elbow on two tanks and use an early k valve's HP port. The US Divers K60 valve would do it. Many early pillar valves had such ports. You can also machine in matching ports on either side of one of most early pillar valves. The J60 valve has a HP port marked "Do not remove". Pressure gauges were intended to be put there, but were rarely used. The early systems used tube which was bent into a U to join the tanks. This helped the flexing problem caused by the tanks moving and the gases expanding into the tubes.

You should first look at having a very good set of bands to minimize flexing. This would reduce leaks later on. If you can't get good bands you will be ultimetly disappointed. Pictures of early Cousteau rigs might help. They were used by the US Navy in this way when the Navy imported their rigs from France. You could have a machinist make the elbows or check with a commercial gas supplier for fittings currently available. Check the internet and the local yellow pages under industrial gas.

However, after all of this, there is a much easier way: http://cgi.ebay.com/Triple-Manifold-Vin ... dZViewItem You can just have these shortened.

I hope these thoughts help.

[Robohips77]

The abs system has the third tank on the end with the valve opening and stem so I would have to use an elbow and a T fitting. Well that is tomorrows project. I wondered if an older style valve would have worked. Thanks again for all your help. Great info on the USD valves and Spirotechnique valves.
have a great day. thanks Robohips

[1969ivan1]

It sounds like a neat project at any rate. PLease keep us in the loop and share the pics if you ever make an attempt.

[YankDownUnder]

Ask and ye shall receive........

Nemrod triple manifold for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

ABS triple for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

Vintage triple for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

I hope you can find what you want with this collection.

[YankDownUnder]

More on the Nemrod triples.......the Nemrod triples for sale at the moment, have a Healthways back pack but original tanks. Nemrod used CO2 fire extiguisher tanks in their eary days and that's what these are. The 1800 PSI rating is because CO2 becomes a solid at that pressure and cannot be further compressed. The toes on the tanks are typical fire extiquisher tanks intented to be stored up right and ready for use. Steel tanks usualy pass their tests even if rust has to be tumbled out. This would be a great restoration project.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

[21]

As per usual YDU beat me to it...re Nemrod tanks...They were converted fire units...easy to identify by their "bump bottoms" which allowed them to stand up right unsupported. I recall them to be very negative requiring ten men and the mess cook to lift and the entire company to dive

Note the dates--My records do not indicate Nemrod was imported to the US at that time. The tanks were possibly purchased later on a surplus market and possibly retro-fitted to the valves when Nemrod was imported in the mid 1960s..

21

[scubaforlife]

Triples in second listing are from a UDS system.

Jose

Ask and ye shall receive........

Nemrod triple manifold for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

ABS triple for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

Vintage triple for sale http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Scuba-Divin ... dZViewItem

I hope you can find what you want with this collection.

[Robohips77]

Well I listed the goods on the bay but this afternoon I was able to find and order all the parts needed to make a "homeade" manifold that will be better than the original manifold, no it won't be as pretty but it will be rated at a higher pressure than the tanks. I did find one of the older model USD valves (mentione3d above Thanks!) that will be the on /off for the system. Once all the parts are in and up and working I will take a picture and put this unique piece of *&^% diving memoribilia in the locker. Bryan warned me but nooooooo I had to spend time with this!!!!! Somedays I just don't listen.

[YankDownUnder]

Look at the picture in the lower right of this link for the triple I mentioned above. http://www.flashbackscuba.com./action/HDS%202004.html

[21]

I have a double manifold I had made many years ago, which I might be displaying at Portage this year.

The problem with DIY is finding a good Certified welder; one who has been trained and you can trust his welds. So Cal with all the aerospace industry was loaded with them.
21

[Robohips77]

Well here is the latest. I have found all the fittings from a small Hogh Pressure fitting outfit in Cincinnati. they handle Parker fittings and they are all rated at 300 Bar. so with the tanks at 3000 psi I am good to go. It should work as well or better than an original manifold. I will be glad to be done with this project and get back to playing with my Phoenix. But that is another story for another link. I need to learn how to post pictures on this site. Somebody give me the quick and dirty. Once this puppy is done I want to post one picture.

[Robohips77]

Here is the latest, Found all the fittings and the USD valve and a fitting that fits the USD valve and then converts to 1/4 inch tube. Everything is stainless and rated at 300 bar. I am still awaiting one fitting. Man a manifold sure would be nice. But this was a challenge. See the picture for the fittings and valve. Any suggestions are again welcomed and of course don't try this at home it might be dangerous.

[Robohips77]

Sold the beast on ebay. Now back to double hose and real mens tanks.

[YankDownUnder]

Another triple : http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... &rd=1&rd=1

I wish I could bid on these, but Australia is an expensive destination.