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Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 4:33 pm
by Goodlifedivers
Hi all,

This morning I pulled the trigger on a Royal aquamaster, which is reported to be in working condition. But we will see. I have a friend who owns a shop and is an aqualung dealer who is more than willing to help me check the reg and all that good stuff.

So, being completely new to Double hose diving my question to y'all is what should I buy to keep in stock for a save a dive kit and what should be my obvious upgrades and what are some upgrades to consider but arn't 100% needed.

My plan of attack when I receive the reg is to open it up and service/rebuild it as needed. I want to be able to use this reg with my backplate and wing and an SPG so I was going to purchase the Phoenix. Is there anything else I need? HP Seats? duckbills? New Hoses? New mouthpiece?

I'm not a stickler on resorting it back to original, I'm looking for reliable and super easy since I have nearly zero experience with servicing regulators and the like but would like to give it a try.

So what should be my plan of attack and shopping list be?

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 5:54 pm
by swimjim
The first thing to do is read, read, and then read more. I would suggest you start simple, preferably with a VDH backplate. Double hose diving is a different kettle of fish so to speak. Proper position of the regulator between the shoulder blades and having the cans touch the back are critical to success. Start in a pool and just get the feel for it. Learn how to clear your hoses. See how your position in the water affects how the regulator breathes. For instance, if you point your body down, the reg will breath harder. Heads up position, the reg will breath easy. On your back the reg will free flow. Nothing wrong here, just the nature of the beast. As you master the basics and read up on things you'll start to get a better idea which route you want to take. Be fore warned. Once started, one regulator isn't enough. It is a disease after all. Welcome aboard

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 6:42 pm
by 14020
Buy more Double Hose Regulators. :roll: :!:

Welcome to the addiction. 8)

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:12 pm
by Bryan
swimjim wrote:The first thing to do is read, read, and then read more. I would suggest you start simple, preferably with a VDH backplate. Double hose diving is a different kettle of fish so to speak. Proper position of the regulator between the shoulder blades and having the cans touch the back are critical to success. Start in a pool and just get the feel for it. Learn how to clear your hoses. See how your position in the water affects how the regulator breathes. For instance, if you point your body down, the reg will breath harder. Heads up position, the reg will breath easy. On your back the reg will free flow. Nothing wrong here, just the nature of the beast. As you master the basics and read up on things you'll start to get a better idea which route you want to take. Be fore warned. Once started, one regulator isn't enough. It is a disease after all. Welcome aboard
Sage advice from a man who knows.

Welcome aboard

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 8:49 pm
by Goodlifedivers
What should be my shopping list for things I will need to get this reg up and running assuming the worst and Upgrading it to be able to use all the modern accessories?

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:13 pm
by swimjim

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 9:40 pm
by Goodlifedivers
Awesome! That's exactly what I'm looking for.

As far as a phoenix goes? Would you put that onto a RAM? Or is the hooka adapter and banjo fitting the way to go?

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:21 pm
by Herman
Welcome to the board and DH diving.
Besides Jims list I would suggest you go ahead and plan on replacing the hoses and mouthpieces....yea some of the old ones are OK but no where near as nice as the silicone replacements.
The decision between the Phoenix and rebuilding the RAM nozzle and using a hookah port adapter and banjo is up to you. One other thing, to use a banjo your reg MUST have a long style yoke, it will not work with the short version.

Another item you might want to consider are service tools (I make and sell those). Your friend will have a HP nozzle assembly tool since it is the same one used on Conshelfs and the earlier Titans but a ring tool and body wrench are very useful. Some of the best USD DH techs in the world are right here on this board, so don't hesitate for a moment to ask questions.

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:13 am
by 8dust
Welcome aboard!

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:52 am
by Goodlifedivers
Anyone know where I can get red hoses?

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 12:12 pm
by Bryan
Goodlifedivers wrote:Anyone know where I can get red hoses?
Red hoses are only available on the new Argonaut Kraken regulator. Take some time to visit the website store. There are hundreds of items for your double hose and diving in general. Parts are broken down into categories like masks,hoses and mouthpieces, single stage, two stage etc.

There is also a SEARCH box in the website store....Just type in a word or two and it should return what you are looking for.

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2015 10:14 pm
by BigMike
Welcome to your new hobby/addiction. I found the advice from the folks on this site invaluable when I got into double hose diving. As far as upgrades and spares, you can slice off as much as you want spend. I liked the banjo setup until i joined "team Kraken" and now I dive it anout 90% of the time. I spent a lot of time in the pool just like Jim suggested. Searching the site will help you get a TON of information. Mike

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Sun Jan 18, 2015 10:29 am
by Bryan
Good advice Mike.... Go Team Argonaut! The forum contains answers to just about any question you could ask regarding double hose regulators. Try out the search feature and see what it returns.

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2015 12:39 am
by Ron
Welcome man. I would suggest that you read this as well:

https://backup.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.a ... 58677075a2

This is the VDH article on the Royal Aquamaster (RAM). I find that it is nice to understand the concepts and theory about how your regulator works. The other advice already provided is also excellent advice. Once you formulate some specific questions, based upon your experience, then bring them back here and we will flesh them out on the forum. Documenting your experience in learning the double hose here will help others in the future.

Again, welcome :)

Re: Brand new to Double Hose diving

Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:25 am
by Bronze06
A Belated Welcome to You!

The above folks really know what they are talking about and have helped me immensely. You are really going to love this stuff. :D