Duckbill Eliminator

[Bryan]

cool deal one question though what sealant ,silicone would be recommended for installment?? thank you best regards

I have tried it in three different regulators and used regular RTV cement. I'm sure the group will come up with lots of other great ideas though.......Please don't throw away your duckbills yet.....We are not past the testing stage yet....

[sthtxdiver]

thank you bryan.plz keep us posted. i myself is interested in a exhaust valve

[OregonDiver1]

Same here when they are available count me in.

[Vintagediver]

I think this is a great idea, and I'll most likely buy at least one to install in my PRAM. However; I do hope that the duckbills will still be available since I still like to install replacement parts on some of my regs that are parts just like the originals; or at least as close as possible like the originals. Thanks again Bryan!
Terry

[bbain]

The duckbill eliminator sounds like such a great idea. Any update on the testing?

[Bryan]

Someone E-mailed a question on the status so I thought I would give everyone an update.

Testing with the samples is done as far as I'm concerned. I am not going to say it could never fail but there were zero problems on any of the testing dives.
I put it in a clear container with some extremely salty water and left it in the Tampa sun for two weeks. After I rinsed it off it seemed as good as new.

I have to buy a mold for the valve and the valve holder since they are made of two completely different materials.

I'm concentrating on getting the Phoenix nozzles out first and then if there is money left I will build the duckbill eliminator....With the production cost as they are now I would have to sell at least 800 of them to break even.....And even if you guys all bought 3 I would still have several hundred to sell before I saw a profit...
I have a couple of other things I'm working on that I hope everyone will enjoy in the meantime......Unfortunately VDH is in the same boat as many of the divers in our ranks.....Far too much money that jingles and not enough that folds.....

Thanks for the support everyone

[YankDownUnder]

Bryan,

You say:" I have to buy a mold for the valve and the valve holder since they are made of two completely different materials."

Just a thought.....could your costs be reduced by making the duck bill eliminator use one or maybe two of your current silicone valves? Thus eliminating a need for a valve mold.

A second thought..... the British Heinke MkIII series regulators eliminated the duck bill valve by putting a cartwheel valve cage in the hose, next to the exhaust horn. It used the same valve as in the mouth piece. It was my first regulator and still breathes very well.

Good Luck with your projects,
Steve

[Bryan]

Just a thought.....could your costs be reduced by making the duck bill eliminator use one or maybe two of your current silicone valves? Thus eliminating a need for a valve mold.

Good Luck with your projects,
Steve

The current mouthpiece valves are flat and work great since they are out of a direct stream or flow of water. But in the world of the exhaust can they do not seal up so well and are prone to leaking especially if you move quickly submerged or on the surface. An umbrella shaped valve does the trick and seals tightly and I was not aware of any failure or problems with water entering while we were trying it out. The valve I'm using is from a Kirby Morgan hat with the stem redesigned to hold securely in the shallow body of the duckbill eliminator. I think it will be a great combination once I get it done.

[luis]

I agree with Bryan in that this design needs the umbrella looking valve. It needs a geometry that will hold the edge down against the sealing surface.


Putting the exhaust valve in the hose means that the exhaust is some distance from the center of the diaphragm (probably 2 or 3 inches). When you are on your side or maybe vertical, that exhaust would be higher (in the water column) than the diaphragm. This will cause a free flow unless the regulator is a relatively poor breather.

The regulator would have to be detuned to breathe harder than the pressure differential between the exhaust and the intake diaphragm, to avoid a free flow.

[eskimo3883]

A potential source of valves could even come from SCBA masks, gas masks, oxygen masks, industrial dust masks, etc. I have no idea what an umbrella shaped valve looks like but if a drawing was put up with the desired shape and dimensions maybe some one will be able to point out an already existing valve or one so close it could be made to work. I would be willing to stare at the internet for a while looking at atypical sources of valves if I knew what to look for.

[Bryan]

I would rather own my own mold and design than be a the mercy of another manufacturer or company. (example, the Phoenix and AquaLung for parts) The Kirby Morgan valve is just about perfect and with a little re-design of the stem I think it will work perfectly. I'll use their dimensions and material specs for umbrella part and then build the stem to fit this project.

[Bryan]

The Die Is Cast......Or more accurately the molds have been purchased! I expect production samples of what the finished product will look like in approximately 28 days.

I have tested the two prototypes in USD, Voit and LaSpirotechniqe regulators and they worked without fail.....They will not work in 50 Fathom or Jet Air plastic cans.

Price will be $15.00 each and I'm thinking that once you install it in your can with a little RTV silicone adhesive you should never need to remove it.

[antique diver]

These are gonna be great. Thanks for once again coming up with great products!

[Bryan]

These are gonna be great. Thanks for once again coming up with great products!

I have to give credit where it's due.....Emilio Largo (Rob) Allan and I hatched the plan drawing it on a napkin in the parking lot at Alexander springs. Allan, Luis and Dave were already working on plans for metal versions and Dave incorporated it into the 3 SE Phoenix regulators that were sold last year.

I think the duckbill will stay with the purists but will be replaced in mass in regulators that divers use a lot. I for one won't miss it at all!!

[JES]

I have to give credit where it's due.....Emilio Largo (Rob) Allan and I hatched the plan drawing it on a napkin in the parking lot at Alexander springs. Allan, Luis and Dave were already working on plans for metal versions and Dave incorporated it into the 3 SE Phoenix regulators that were sold last year.

I think the duckbill will stay with the purists but will be replaced in mass in regulators that divers use a lot. I for one won't miss it at all!!

Thank you gentlemen! We're looking forward to these.