Vintage Double Hose

Another forum member was nice enough to sell me a Navy Type DA at a great price. Today, I rebuilt it. I know that we have covered this before, but I just wanted to go through my version of a DA rebuild, just in case folks have never done one.

- After doing all the disassembly, cleaning, etc. I assemble the first stage nozzle, slip it into the yoke, and put it on a scuba tank. I charge the nozzle. I listen to make sure that the first stage isn't leaking at all. I use the pin and pad to depressurize the nozzle, and remove it from the tank.

-I put the nozzle and yoke onto the main body of the regulator, and affix the body to the back can with the body ring. At this point I test fit a second stage diaphragm. If the arms on the diaphragm are off center, then I loosen the body ring a tiny bit and move the body of the regulator. Even the cans with ears for locating the body have a little slop in them. This sometimes is the difference between a regulator that vibrates and one that doesn't, along with second stage lever height. I get the second stage lever alignment as close to center on both tabs of the diaphragm as possible by fidgeting with the regulator body alignment.

-After all this, I screw the second stage lever screws all the way in, then back them out 2 full turns. I use my micrometer to make sure that the lever is true, and if it isn't then I may back out one screw a half turn or so to make it true. Then, I install the locking pin for the second stage screws.

-Like Captain Tom, I tune the first stage by ear. I put the regulator on a tank with 300PSI, then increase the first stage pressure until the second stage hisses. At that point, I back the first stage screw off 1/8 of a turn, then cycle the horseshoe lever a bunch to make sure it isn't leaky. Once I'm confident that everything is good to go, then I assemble the regulator.

-It should crack at 1"-1.5" on a 300 PSI tank, and 2"-2.5" on a full one. That's about the usual for a stock DA regulator.

There are many ways to rebuild a DA, and this is A way

Being half deaf, when I test a 1st stage for leaks I screw it into the body, put it on a full tank and put water in the diaphragm pocket and look for bubbles.

bookmarked - thanks, Ron

I have used the same procedures for rebuilding the Navy Type DA. Tom and Ron provided me with expert advice when I was frustrated attempting to adjust my Voit VR2 using an IP setting of 125psi. Decreasing the IP down to 115 made all the difference.

While I thoroughly enjoy rebuilding USD and Voit DH regs, I have found the Navy Type DA mechanism to be the most difficult to service.

Greg Barlow

captain wrote:Being half deaf, when I test a 1st stage for leaks I screw it into the body, put it on a full tank and put water in the diaphragm pocket and look for bubbles.

I have had good success by having a cat scan done on it. My kid had a cat that would come and stare at a leaking reg. The first time it happened I had a charged reg on a tank in the living room. I noticed the cat had locked in on it and was watching the reg like it was getting to pounce on it. I never heard a thing but I dunked it in a tub and saw some tiny bubbles. Good to know there is a use for a cat.

crimediver wrote:

captain wrote:Being half deaf, when I test a 1st stage for leaks I screw it into the body, put it on a full tank and put water in the diaphragm pocket and look for bubbles.

I have had good success by having a cat scan done on it. My kid had a cat that would come and stare at a leaking reg. The first time it happened I had a charged reg on a tank in the living room. I noticed the cat had locked in on it and was watching the reg like it was getting to pounce on it. I never heard a thing but I dunked it in a tub and saw some tiny bubbles. Good to know there is a use for a cat.

LOL, guess I need a cat regulator repair assistant.

That is awesome man.