New to vintage diving because of this site.

[21]

Suggest that you visit Gene a Del Mar divers in Mesa or Tempe? I assume he is still amoung us and still owns part of Del Mar...At one time had a world class collection and is very knowledgeable.

California Classic Equipment divers (CED) just disbanded-- Insurance problems for meets.

There are entirely tooo many vintage divers in SoCal.

I was stationed at Luke AFB during the Korean war...Only Califonias were diving --At San Carlos and some of the lakes.

FYI The late Boris Inocente opened the first Phoenix dive operation in about 1960

sdm

[dacordiver23]

Yeah I was on the phone with Gene last week regarding his collection and if he might be willing to part with a Mistral. I guess he plans on selling some of his collection but in the mean time I located a guy in Santee, California, that was looking to sell a nice looking RAM so I'm taking a trip to look at it and make an offer. I'm trying to locate one for a phoenix conversion before april as I have a trip to Kauai planned and would love to dive some of the sites with it.

[gj1963]

Greetings from Albuquerque

[luis]

Hi dacordiver23

If you are planning on converting it to a Phoenix, I would only get a DA Aqua Master, not a RAM. The only difference between the two is the first stage and the Phoenix is a first stage replacement anyway.

It doesn’t matter if you start with a DA Aqua Master or a Royal Aqua Master; the end product is exactly the same: a Phoenix Royal Aqua Master.

The Phoenix is a balanced first stage similar to the Royal Aqua Master, but with slightly improved air flow passages.

Therefore, there is no point on spending extra money on a RAM when you are not going to use the first stage anyway.


The next other major improvement is replacing the second stage with the HPR. I am extremely pleased with that design. It adds a number of improvements and convenience.

One of the best things about the HPR is that it uses the same diaphragm as a Mistral which does not require lining up the tabs with the lever. This may not sound like a big deal, but once you have the PRAM or an Aqua Master, you will se what I am referring to.

Good luck.

[dacordiver23]

It's interesting. The guy that is selling the regulator says its a RAM but when looking at the photos he included it looks like a DA Aquamaster. I'm going into the transaction with as much information as I can, the reg ID of VDH has been a real help. In either case, I'll more than likely purchase the reg if it is in good condition. (Pictures will be forthcoming if I forward with it). Converting it to a HPR as well and the Phoenix conversion are both planned its just a matter of getting the right reg and having enough time to do the conversion. My main concern is getting the Phoenix to merge it with my modern BC and SPG before my trip.

[Emilio Largo]

Welcome to the forum!

[Herman]

It's interesting. The guy that is selling the regulator says its a RAM but when looking at the photos he included it looks like a DA Aquamaster. I'm going into the transaction with as much information as I can, the reg ID of VDH has been a real help. In either case, I'll more than likely purchase the reg if it is in good condition. (Pictures will be forthcoming if I forward with it). Converting it to a HPR as well and the Phoenix conversion are both planned its just a matter of getting the right reg and having enough time to do the conversion. My main concern is getting the Phoenix to merge it with my modern BC and SPG before my trip.

The SPG is fine but it's important to note that the HP ports on the Phoenix are 3/8-24, like an old school HP and modern LP ports, not 7/16 like modern reg HP ports so plan on a new old style 3/8 hose- Bryan has them- or a 7/16 to 3/8 adapter. The modern BC is a different matter. It is not going to work well. All of them I have tried will not allow the cans to be placed low enough or held close enough to the body for proper can position and a crotch strap to keep the BC in the proper place is important. The reg will supply you gas but don't expect it to perform as well as it should, a couple of inches make a difference. If DH regs have a down side, it's their need for proper placement. It's the nature of the beast and can not be avoided. While on the subject, the later 70s blown plastic back packs that are an inch or so thick are not well suited to DHs as well, they tend to hold the tank/reg too far off your back and most will not allow the tank to be placed low enough. The ideal tank holders are either a simple harness or the thin, single layer BPs. Dacor made a nice one in aluminum. Voit and USD made them in plastic. The USD Kam EZ is very common and with a slight mod can be used with AL-80s if you like.

[USdiver]

Welcome to the tribe, but beware: DH regs are like peanuts, you aren't satisfied with just one.

[luis]

The ideal tank holders are either a simple harness or the thin, single layer BPs. Dacor made a nice one in aluminum. Voit and USD made them in plastic. The USD Kam EZ is very common and with a slight mod can be used with AL-80s if you like.

I personally preferred a back plate that was specifically designed to for the double hose regulator, but maybe I am a bit biased…

http://vintagedoublehose.com/index.php? ... id=8445452


http://vintagedoublehose.com/index.php? ... id=9500234

[Herman]

Or you can use the one Luis designed......now where is that emoticon that sticks it's tongue out...

[dacordiver23]

I concur that placement is everything with the double hose, I played around with my R-4 enough to discover this. I have a Dacor backplate from the late 70's, trying to stay within the time frame of my R-4, but I have yet to try it as Jerry still has my reg. Out of concern, more than anything else, has anyone spoken/heard from Jerry in the last couple of weeks?

[21]

You live in Arizona...probably 70 in the shade...

Where Jerry resides it is 10 below...I suspect he is occupied with being warm!
SDM

[dacordiver23]

As a recent transplant from West Virginia I totally understand. I simply haven't been able to reach him in some time.

[JES]

Welcome aboard and thank you for joining the VDH Community!

[dacordiver23]

A quick up-date before I begin posting in "now what do I do section". As of 0912 this morning I am the happy owner of a Pico Blvd DA Aqua-master. The cans are is pretty good shape, compared to some of the others that I have seen on the market/ebay/craigslist but the internals are going to need a complete overhaul. VDH should be seing my full order (Phoenix, HPR Kit, and duckbill emulator) right about....now. This is going to be a fun project and thanks again for everyone for all the advice. I'll post pictures as this project advances and once I calm down.

FYI: USDiver, you are right, could not stop at just having one.