Newbie Question about Regulator Service

[InkedHDRider]

Hi folks,

New to the forum and vintage diving. I had sent in my regulator here and I'm afraid I don't exactly know how to answer the staff's question. A little help and guidance would be appreciated.

So, I sent in a DA Aquamaster regulator and I intend to use it with vintage tanks and a J-rod.

Bryan had asked me:

"Would you like it in working order to original standards or to 2014 standards with updates?"

And I'm afraid I don't know the difference. So I'm deferring to you folks here for some help in guidance. Any help would be appreciated and of course I'll be happy to answer any questions you have to help me get this started. Thanks.

[Herman]

Welcome to the board and to DH diving.
There are basically 2 extremes you can rebuild/restore a DA to. The first is basically keeping it like it was when it left the factory with the exception that all the replacement parts are upgraded materials. The hoses for example are now made of silicone instead of rubber.
The other extreme is to add all the new modifications -HPR,Cyclone and Duckbill emiminator to name a few- and/or change parts to get the material upgrades (replacing mouthpieces for example) they offer. To some extent it depends on how minute you care to go, you can choose to replace the hose clamps and a good number of other smaller parts as well as the major ones.
Or you can choose to go somewhere in between picking and choosing parts as you like. For the most part,each upgrade is independent of the others so it is not a requirement (although sometimes it is recommended) to replace multiple parts just to get one of the major items...for example you can replace the second stage with a HPR and not replace the main diaphragm (assuming your is good) but it is best if you do to get the best out of the reg.
In short, it's like a Subway sandwich, you can get just the bread and meat or you can go all the way and get every item they have on it, it's your choice.

With all that said, if you are still undecided, tell us what you want to achieve be it as original as possible or one with maxed out performere and we can do a better job of making parts suggestions.

[swimjim]

Well, time to hit the books, er, website. You can have the regulator restored to original factory spec..... sort of. The materials are better now and the reg will function better then new. If you want to do true Vintage, that's the way to go. Regardless on which way you go, you'll have to bone up on regulator position, proper back packs and how to use a double hose in general.
As Herman eluded to, you can "hotrod" the reg with the addition of a Cyclone (new 1st stage) HPR (new high performance 2nd stage) and or a DBE ( high performance exhaust) or opt for a combo.
IMHO, for my first one, I would have it brought back to original standard and learn vintage diving technique. You going to find out that one double hose is never enough and as you gain experience you can try new things. Welcome to the forum! Have fun with it and dive safe!

Jim

[InkedHDRider]

Hey guys,

Thanks for the help. It's really appreciated as I am venturing into new territory here. Well, I'm really an old fashioned guy and I refuse to own a motorcycle from before I was 20 and now it seems I'm choosing to dive in a style before I was even born. I just find the look very nostalgic.

I intend to dive using the reg in tandem with a vintage steel tank and backpack setup. I guess maxing the effectiveness of the tank would be the only priority I have. Unless you have any suggestions.

[Herman]

Ok, I would suggest a HPR and the latest diaphragm, new hoses, new mouthpiece, new mouthpiece valves, a rebuild kit,new duckbill and a band clamp. All these parts will be reused if you decide to upgrade the reg farther and since all are internal they do not change the look of the reg.
In addition, I would suggest you get a hookah port adapter so you can add a LP port for an octo, an inflater or as a test port for an IP gauge.

[InkedHDRider]

Thanks for the help, Herman. I was just reading on past stuff we have written here. I am thinking, at least for now, just having it restored to factory standards. Start basic and then work into pimping my reg Unless you have any other suggestions why I should go that fore mentioned route.

[Bryan]

Ok, I would suggest a HPR and the latest diaphragm, new hoses, new mouthpiece, new mouthpiece valves, a rebuild kit,new duckbill and a band clamp. All these parts will be reused if you decide to upgrade the reg farther and since all are internal they do not change the look of the reg.
In addition, I would suggest you get a hookah port adapter so you can add a LP port for an octo, an inflater or as a test port for an IP gauge.

This is sage advice I strongly suggest following.

[BigMike]

Welcome to the board. When I sent my first DA (a round lable) to Bryan, I had the HPR and DBE installed when he rebuilt it (including new diaphram). I also bought a new silicone mouthpiece and new wagon wheels for it. It works awesome! The next DA that I sent to Bryan (it's hard to only have one) I did the same and added new hoses and a band clamp since it had the pinch clamps. Love it!!! I have found that when you ask for advice on this board, you will get good solid input and not just guys trying to get you to buy more stuff. You can have your reg the way that you want it. I choose (and trust) Bryan to do the work for me. There will be a day when I have more spare time and will start working on a reg myself. Many of the guys on this board like to do their own work and someday I want to be just like them (when I grow up ) Good luck with your first double hose. Mike

[Herman]

If you intend to dive it much, the parts I suggest will be a big improvement in it's preformance but will not affect the external appearance of the reg, other than the band clamp. Those were options available in the day so its not unvintage and it will make your maintainance life a LOT easier.
At a bare minimum, you need new hoses,diaphragm, duckbill and mouthpiece valves and maybe a mouthpiece (basically all the rubber goods)plus a service kit just to bring it back to a divable condition. While the parts may look good, very rarely are they in good enough condition to be a every day diver and eventually you will want them changed out anyway. Adding a HPR and the latest diaphragm will greatly improve the preformance of the reg and at the same time make maintainance much easier. It is easier to set up, requires little maintainance and makes installing the main diaphragm a lot simpler - the old stlye requires a fairly close aligment where the latest one used with a HPR requires no alignment at all, both are not rocket science but the latter is a lot easier to do, esp for the novice.