antique diver wrote:Luis, that sounds like the best way to compare regulator to regulator on the bench. Still, I like to test the inhalation effort at the mouthpiece with the hoses and valves that I will actually be using on a given regulator. That shows me how that regulator is performing with its actual accessories taken into account... such as the turbulence caused by the corrugated hose, the valve cage and inlet valve. The test mouthpieces I use include the old style straight as well a curved AquaLung model. Each of these testors has a brass hose adapter installed into the main body that accepts the 1/4" ID hose going to my Magnahelic gauge. It measures what I am actually feeling in the way of breathing resistance.
I have a similar set up, that I use when I am testing the hose assembly, including mouthpiece valves, wagon wheels, etc. I also made a set up were I was using two of my Magnehelic gauges to measure pressure drops across the mouthpiece valves.
I have several Magnehelic that I use for different measurements, but I still don’t have a good flow meter. I know which one I want to get… I just haven’t gotten around to it. I haven’t even made the time to install a second meter on my bench (it is in a portable set-up). Someday I hope to organize my bench…
antique diver wrote:
While the better regulators do breathe fine with the proper valves installed, my marginally performing regs noticeably benefit from the removal of the inlet cage and valve. After all, some of them came from the factory that way!
I readily admit to preferring the safety of the valves being in place, but have yet to incur an actual problem while not using them. So far I have not had a problem clearing them after intentionally letting the MP flood, but I realize that is a potential hazard.
With an open mind, I hope to hear from more of you with your experiences and advice on this subject!
My issue is not so much safety as it is that I just don’t like salt water inside my regulators… I dive salt water most of the time up here in Maine.
That being said… now that I have been diving with the HPR for several months, I can say that I thrilled with the convenience of opening and closing the cans of my Phoenix HPR without having to line up the diaphragm. I always new that it was a bit of a hassle, but it was just part of diving a RAM… Well, I am keeping two original RAM with their original second stage, but my “go to” regulators are all Phoenix HPR and I could not be any more please for the convenience (and performance).
I use thumb screws on the clamps at the horn and a thumb screw on the body clamp. I can open and close my regulator literally in seconds. I actually do it all the time as show and tell when other divers ask me about it.