Apeks - US Divers Compatiblity

[darylm74]

I have a brand new (well still in the box from 1989) US Divers Cousteau Octo and a US Divers SEA4 1st Stage. I also bought an Apeks DS4 that should be here Friday. After doing all this I have read that the Apeks regs have different port sizes. Did I just do a major purchasing fubar or will this all work together. I was thinking along the lines that Aqualung (US Divers) owns Apeks but am now wondering......

 

[MikeC]

AquaLung didn't own Apeks in '89, so .... Apeks' web site says that the DS4 has 4 medium pressure 3/8" ports, and 1 HP at 7/16. Apeks also mentions that some first stages have a 1/2" port as well.

I'm not familiar with the older US Divers stuff.

 

[rescuediver009]

Well some of the USD regs have 1/2'' hoses. The DS4 does not. You have mentioned 2 first and one second stages. It depends on what you want to do with it... If you want to use the DS4 with the second it depends on how big the hose is.

 

[darylm74]

The first is a DS4, the seconds are US Divers Cousteau and a US Divers SEA4. I know that the SEA4 is also considered a 1st, but SEA4 is what the 2nd stage has written on it.

 

[RichLockyer]

The first is a DS4, the seconds are US Divers Cousteau and a US Divers SEA4. I know that the SEA4 is also considered a 1st, but SEA4 is what the 2nd stage has written on it.

The hose connection to the 2nd stage is identical on all regs except for Poseidon.
Get the correct length primary and backup hoses in 3/8" and they'll work just fine with your 2nds.

Put another way, if your current hoses fit the reg's LP ports, you're fine.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I am assuming you are thinking of using the DS4 with a USD second stage as an octo? USD used the standard 3/8 LP ports on some of thier first stages and used 1/2" ports for awhile on others. So your USD octo could be configured with either one.

I see an older USD divers first stage now and then with 1/2" ports come through the shop for service, but I cannot remember off the top of my head what model/years had 1/2" ports. I am fairly sure however that if it is vintage 1989, it will probably have a hose with a 3/8" fitting.

If not, as Rich indicates, you can get an LP hose with a 3/8" hose and be back in business.

 

[darylm74]

Cool. I'm not sure how old the SEA4 second stage I have. It was bought used but is in prime condition. No scratches, dings, dents or anything. The Cousteau backup was still new in the box. Picked it up from a military surplus store. Was still new in the box, wrapped in plastic and had all of the forms and warranties. Of course it did have the military logging stickers on the box. I will just change the hoses if necessary. Need to put the 7ft on the primary 2nd stage anyway.

 

[MikeC]

Just thinking here, what is the lifespan of a hose? If the gear is from '89 you might want to change the hoses. As it is, have the regs checked by someone, don't seats need to be replaced after 15 years or so???

 

[rescuediver009]

Just thinking here, what is the lifespan of a hose? If the gear is from '89 you might want to change the hoses. As it is, have the regs checked by someone, don't seats need to be replaced after 15 years or so???

some hoses last longer than others. I think that the defining factor is how they are stored. If the hoses are subject to too much fatigue, they will begin to crack on the outer lining. The most prominent site for thie is at the connection to the first stage. If there is nothing there you should be ok. The seats depend on the usage. If nothing else is worn, you can always just give em a flip or a tune up. Save you some dough on start up.