ozziworld
Contributor
Thanks Pubert, that video is provides a good look at it.
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So, you haven't looked closely at the Aqualung set up, but you're willing to trash it publicly?The spring is not very strong. It can't be.
Thanks for clearing that up for us.Yes, the spring on the ACD is pretty strong and is meant only engage when you tighten it the last few turns onto the cylinder.
Maybe the AquaLung ACD is different than the Oceanic DVT? I don't see why the spring in the AL regs can't be very strong - it is depressed by the last 2-3 turns when the reg is screwed into the cylinder. Screw threads which can provide quite a bit of force. Having retracted the spring with my fingers I'd be surprised if it could be opened in only 3' of water (ca. 0.1 atm ~ 1.5 psi, and the surface area on the reg is only ~0.3 square inch.) I'm not going to find a dynamometer, but it sure felt like it took several pounds of force applied to that small area to move the spring.The device is designed to prevent accidental intrusion of water. The spring is not very strong. It can't be. Oceanic was involved in a patent infringement kerfluffle a few years back with a similar design. They called theirs the DVT. It added 100 or so to the price of the 1st stage.
I guess it may be. Oh well, live and learn. The Oceanic was opened by air pressure. No actual physical contact required. Wonder why the patent issue even came up?Maybe the AquaLung ACD is different than the Oceanic DVT? I don't see why the spring in the AL regs can't be very strong - it is depressed by the last 2-3 turns when the reg is screwed into the cylinder. Screw threads which can provide quite a bit of force. Having retracted the spring with my fingers I'd be surprised if it could be opened in only 3' of water (ca. 0.1 atm ~ 1.5 psi, and the surface area on the reg is only ~0.3 square inch.) I'm not going to find a dynamometer, but it sure felt like it took several pounds of force applied to that small area to move the spring.
ACD may be largely a marketing thing, but it doesn't seem to have a big downside. Does it complicates servicing the reg at all?
Ooh, ooh, I know the answer to that one: Lawyers.I guess it may be. Oh well, live and learn. The Oceanic was opened by air pressure. No actual physical contact required. Wonder why the patent issue even came up?