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Discussion of diving methods and equipment available prior to the development of BCDs beyond the horse collar. This forum is dedicated to the pre-1970 diving.
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Nemrod
VDH Moderator
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Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:53 pm
First Name: James
Location: Kansas

My diapham is flakey!!!

Sat Jul 01, 2006 11:53 pm

Rebuilding my number three RAM right now. I pulled it apart and found it had some moisture in the can. I guess I forgot to dry it out-shame --shame. OK, here is the odd thing, the diaphram which was nice and smooth on the inside last time I took it apart is now rough feeling and sort of flakey. Oh, woe is me!!!! :shock: :( .


I think my fault or not, we are starting to run into the age limit on some of these rubber parts. This diaphram is 30 plus years old and it is obviously degraded. Slowly we are all going to hit this wall--age!!!!!!---the stuff needs new parts. Of course, I know Mr. Bryan is right now trying to produce new silicone diaphrams and not a minute to late.

Pleae--please--careully study the mating surface--outer groove. This is critical to get a good and reliable seating and sealing here that will not pop free of the can groove.

Could bacteria have eaten my diaphram? Why is it rough and has little lumps in it? What is going on?

Nemrod
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Bryan
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Joined: Fri Jun 24, 2005 11:40 am
First Name: Bryan
Location: Wesley Chapel Florida
Contact: Website

Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:16 am

James I can't say I've seen your exact problem??? Please show us a photo if you can. I have worked on a few regulators that the edge of the diaphragm had seized itself to the edge of the can. Tore a lot of it loose when I pulled them away......Once or twice I've seen them get gator backed .....

Fear not, I expect delivey of them before then end of the month. Save the metal centers from your old ruined diaphragms as the process of stamping those out is taking longer......We will need to recycle for a bit!!
Doing it right should include some common sense, not just blindly following specs and instructions. .Gary D, AWAP on SB
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Nemrod
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Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:53 pm
First Name: James
Location: Kansas

Sun Jul 02, 2006 11:03 pm

Here is a picture of the bumpy diaphram. I am not sure that this is an original USD part. The roughness you see on the underside was not there last time I took it apart a few months back. Oh well, I replaced the diaphram with one of my few remaining brand new ones. Oh woe upon us all. May the silicone gods of the far east provide us with acceptable replacements that fit and work wonderful--is this asking to much--l :lol: .

Nemrod
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Nemrod
VDH Moderator
Posts: 1435
Joined: Sat Jun 25, 2005 1:53 pm
First Name: James
Location: Kansas

Tue Jul 11, 2006 3:18 am

After letting the diaphram dry out it became smooth again. I still think it is weird and highly suspect.

Nemrod
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