High preasure tanks and older regulators

[Mudhog]

I have been thinking around an idea for the last month or so, why couldn't a regulator be built that drop the HP from 3000psi+ tanks down to something in the 800-1200psi range? It could be quite small and would have both the port to feed your favorite double hose and a modern 7/16 port for the SPG to keep the vintagephobes at bay. The hose will allow many placements for better breathing with large tanks that now make that awkward.

Is this a new idea or has it failed so badly nobody bothers to mention it?
My biggist proablem with it is the increased complexity.

[Creed]

I have been thinking around an idea for the last month or so, why couldn't a regulator be built that drop the HP from 3000psi+ tanks down to something in the 800-1200psi range? It could be quite small and would have both the port to feed your favorite double hose and a modern 7/16 port for the SPG to keep the vintagephobes at bay. The hose will allow many placements for better breathing with large tanks that now make that awkward.

Is this a new idea or has it failed so badly nobody bothers to mention it?
My biggist proablem with it is the increased complexity.

So, are you suggesting (ultimately) a 3 stage regulator? A stage(perhaps built into the valve) that puts out the lower psi for the standard 2 or 1 stage regs? I'd say that is an interesting idea.

[JES]

This is an interesting idea, but make sure that it's not just an expensive answer to a problem that might not exist.

Playing the Devil's advocate, if you use steel 72s or under-fill your AL 80s, the regulators will work just fine.

Good luck!

[Creed]

This is an interesting idea, but make sure that it's not just an expensive answer to a problem that might not exist.

Playing the Devil's advocate, if you use steel 72s or under-fill your AL 80s, the regulators will work just fine.

Good luck!

The advantage as I see it is the ability to use HP steel tanks. The thing is, this idea would work with any older regulator, double hose or single hose.

[luis]

Just feed the LP from any first stage (as in a Conshelf) into the hookah port (skip the DH first stage or remove it and plug it). That way you can mount your DH regulator anywhere, like even on your chest. That way you can look like Cousteau.

[Mudhog]

I suppose some of the double hose units would benifet from being tuned to the LP preasure?

[Nemrod]

The RAM and probably the DA do just fine with 3,000 psi. If you are goingto 3,500 psi then you will need a RAM with a HD yoke. I suspect the ability to tune the DA would limit it at 3,500 psi but mechanically, a DA with a HD yoke should work.

Since the Royal AquaMaster is essentially a double hose Conshelf I see no reason that versions equipped wih heavy duty yokes cannot be used on HP tanks at 3,500 psi--except---for the DIN issue. Most HP steel tanks use DIN valves. I don't see anyway to do this except for the new nozzle assembly that Luis has designed and is working along on. It will be DIN capable I understand.

My opinion, I don't think any yoke type valve is suitable for 3,500 psi. I think the cutoff is at or about 3,000 psi. Some aluminum tanks have standard yoke valves for 3,300 psi service--that is probably a limit.

I could be wrong.

James

[Creed]

Just feed the LP from any first stage (as in a Conshelf) into the hookah port (skip the DH first stage or remove it and plug it). That way you can mount your DH regulator anywhere, like even on your chest. That way you can look like Cousteau.

That's a cool idea.

[Creed]

The RAM and probably the DA do just fine with 3,000 psi. If you are goingto 3,500 psi then you will need a RAM with a HD yoke. I suspect the ability to tune the DA would limit it at 3,500 psi but mechanically, a DA with a HD yoke should work.

Since the Royal AquaMaster is essentially a double hose Conshelf I see no reason that versions equipped wih heavy duty yokes cannot be used on HP tanks at 3,500 psi--except---for the DIN issue. Most HP steel tanks use DIN valves. I don't see anyway to do this except for the new nozzle assembly that Luis has designed and is working along on. It will be DIN capable I understand.

My opinion, I don't think any yoke type valve is suitable for 3,500 psi. I think the cutoff is at or about 3,000 psi. Some aluminum tanks have standard yoke valves for 3,300 psi service--that is probably a limit.

I could be wrong.

James

True, but if you have an inline regulator that would drop the pressure to 3k or less, then you wouldn't have to mess with changing yokes. Or DIN. The outlet pressure would be independent of the actual tank pressure. I like the idea. I'm thinking that a set of 130cu E8 tanks would give you like a week of bottom time

[Creed]

Just feed the LP from any first stage (as in a Conshelf) into the hookah port (skip the DH first stage or remove it and plug it). That way you can mount your DH regulator anywhere, like even on your chest. That way you can look like Cousteau.

Sorry for the double reply, but this is more appealing the more I think about it. Feed a 2nd stage and a BC hose off of the Conshelf, and mount the DA to your chest with a harness. This would have the advantages of a properly set up double hose, with the modern extras that would get you on a dive boat.

[luis]

Creed

I am planing on trying it next summer. I am thinking about making a brass plug to remove the first stage.
It does have two or three disadvantages.
1) The bubbles are not behind you anymore.
2) When you take the mouthpiece of your mouth it will have a very high tendency to free flow and putting it under your chin will not stop the free flow. A closing re-breather type of mouthpiece will be good to take care of this.
3) The extra complexity of the chest mounted harness is probably not something I would like to deal with on every dive.

Just some thoughts.

[JES]

...I'm thinking that a set of 130cu E8 tanks would give you like a week of bottom time

With all of that extra weight you would need the entire week to get back to the surface.

[Creed]

Here's a perfect chance to try out that idea:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Lot-of-used-regulat ... dZViewItem

Note that he built a chest mount as well.

[captain]

I don't believe it was for a chest mount. I believe it was back mounted and surface supplied. That was common for shallow water commercial work years ago.

[Creed]

Probably. But it looks like it could fairly easily be adapter to chect mount.