Why use a double hose

[Scuba Lawyer]

But what if your have never serviced a reg... But would like to get into it, and really want a kraken... And realize you have an impulse buying problem, so you probably gonna end up with one sooner or later, so should probably know how to make it work... Asking for a friend...

Tell your "friend" that servicing regulators is not rocket science, but it is regulator science. I have had zero formal training but have (almost) successfully rebuilt 30 regs to date. We won't talk about the few failures resulting in catastrophic gas loss at depth. I read up on every reg servicing tome I could find (Regulator Savvy, etc...), read all of the servicing manuals for my type reg in the VDH Manuals and Catalogs Section, watched a bunch of how-to videos on You Tube, studied the parts schematics available, and dove into it. Not hard, but does take common sense and a wee bit of mechanical know-how. My. 2psi. Good luck.

 

[shurite7]

I'm just curious as to what the advantages/disadvantages of double hose configurations.

I've never used one but I am aware that they exist and some like them.

Just a curiosity for some light discussion while on partial lockdown.

There is something about the simplicity of the whole setup with double hoses, j-valves, and backpacks. A couple of weeks ago we decided to go out and dive the setup, trying out freshly serviced double hoses. In some regards, buoyancy was easier, the backpack was comfortable - even compared to my bp/w, the j-valve made it simple in terms of not looking at a gauge, although I did often check the rod, and it was nice not to have bubbles around the face. The double hose regs do not breathe as easily as many newer regs, but it wasn't that bad; some double hose regs breathed easier than others (we were testing different regs to make sure they functioned properly).

Taking the unit off underwater over the head and putting it back on was easier than using a more common jacket style bcd or even my bp/w with the long hose. Although, there was limited movement of the scuba kit because of the double hoses in comparison to a modern day single hose setup.

While I chose not to dive the double hose setup for my diving, it was a lot of fun playing with the older style gear. With that being stated, it would be really fun to go to a place with warm water (the Crater Dome in UT comes to mind) and have a blast with old setup.

 

[rhwestfall]

I find my Kraken and my PRAM breathe as easily as my ScubaPro MK-17/G250v. You just have to know how to tune and wear them.

YMMV

 

[jadairiii]

...The double hose regs do not breathe as easily as many newer regs, ....

Attitude in the water is key to a DH as to it's performance. It ranges from "wow, this breaths better than a SP G250" to "is my tank on?" Diving a GUE horizontal position will feel like you are breathing through a straw, more vertical, easier it breaths.

There is a reason you see vintage pictures JYC with a chest mounted DH regulator.

 

[TMHeimer]

Someone posted maybe over a dozen years ago that with his double hose, he descended a little offshore from a (his?) boat. Then dived to shore and walked out onto the beach, scaring the little kids.

 

[shurite7]

Attitude in the water is key to a DH as to it's performance. It ranges from "wow, this breaths better than a SP G250" to "is my tank on?" Diving a GUE horizontal position will feel like you are breathing through a straw, more vertical, easier it breaths.

There is a reason you see vintage pictures JYC with a chest mounted DH regulator.

For the most part, the horizontal position was fine. However, you are correct about placing the body in a different position will affect the regs breathing resistance. On one reg, it breathed much easier when I rotated to left or right side. It was also important to place the first stage between the shoulder blades; too low or too high affected the breathing resistance. Nonetheless, it was fun, even if the reg had a higher breathing resistance.

 

[lexvil]

I find my Kraken and my PRAM breathe as easily as my ScubaPro MK-17/G250v. You just have to know how to tune and wear them.

YMMV

You should send me your 17/250, for a tune up...

 

[herman]

Attitude in the water is key to a DH as to it's performance. It ranges from "wow, this breaths better than a SP G250" to "is my tank on?" Diving a GUE horizontal position will feel like you are breathing through a straw, more vertical, easier it breaths.

There is a reason you see vintage pictures JYC with a chest mounted DH regulator.

Ummm, no. While position does matter, with a properly set up DH (with modern parts, no old hard rubber stuff) attitude is not nearly as critical as some believe. I have dove one almost exclusively for many years....and am DIR trained so I know the drill. I tend to dive a slightly head up simply because it's more comfortable to me but it makes little difference. I often am photographing head down so I am well aware of the performance. A Kraken has better measured performance than any Scubapro or Atomic reg on the market today. This is measured data, not something subjective. Granted, if you slap on a poorly fitting jacket style BC and have it floating way off your body, yea they do breath poorly but that is operator error, not poor performance. I will give you it does take a little more attention to your BC and tank position to ensure the best performance.

As for maintenance of a DH, esp a AK, it can be done without any special tools (other than an IP gauge) but they do make it easier. For the AK specifically, a HP assembly tool ($15) and a ring too ($35) are the only 2 specialized tools that you need. If you want to try your hand, get a Conshelf off ebay and rebuild it. You will have a solid, dependable reg and you will know exactly what is needed to rebuild most DH regs (the internal parts are exactly the same as a AK or RAM).

As for why I dive them, I find them much better for photography, to me they are more comfortable and I do enjoy the "cool" factor.

 

[Old Krakken]

I have played with DH Regs since about 2000.
When I say played that means I have torn them apart and put them back together with new parts and taken them diving.
If I can do it anyone can!
My latest acquisition just to stoke the fires

 

[rhwestfall]

It would be even better with the DSV....