Aqualung Legend LX First Stage Failure at depth

[reefrat]

Can someone please confirm that it is not possible to remove the ACD On a late model titan/legend?

 

[JackD342]

Can someone please confirm that it is not possible to remove the ACD On a late model titan/legend?

You mean convert it to a non ACD, right? I haven’t asked them that question, but I also haven’t seen any conversion kits, or listings or drawings of current non ACD versions. But Aqualung US is a little selective and doesn’t import 100% of AL from France (or AP from UK) so maybe check the French website with Google translate and see if there is a non US item to track down. And no, you can’t just remove the shutter valve, those threads hold the assembly together.

 

[JackD342]

You mean convert it to a non ACD, right? I haven’t asked them that question, but I also haven’t seen any conversion kits, or listings or drawings of current non ACD versions. But Aqualung US is a little selective and doesn’t import 100% of AL from France (or AP from UK) so maybe check the French website with Google translate and see if there is a non US item to track down. And no, you can’t just remove the shutter valve, those threads hold the assembly together.

Maybe I can do a Titan LX after all. The pre 2018 Mikron had no ACD, and it shared a body with the final version of Titan LX, and even the current Core. So if that older Mikron yoke connector is still available, I don’t see why not. You can either ask your local Aqualung service center to follow up, or if you want to ship to me in Chicago I will do the work to verify and convert.
(Actually two different part versions depending on where the filter is mounted, so the Reg needs to be partially broken down to determine which version. And I researched yoke, not DIN)

 

[Parklander]

Amazing what manufacturers do to “improve” on a perfected design. Like titanium. Don’t be fooled. It’s not an improvement. Just ask anyone who dives with high PO2. Smart that you went to another shop. It’s very rare to find an unethical repair LDS but the incentive to hide the error is very high. Thank Goodness you are here for the next adventure.

 

[rsingler]

Convertng to non-ACD by changing the yoke bolt is complicated by the fact that due to a patent infringement (I think), Aqualung had to invert the position of the sintered cone filter.
In doing so, it changed the shaping of the base of the bolt/regulator body. I've looked at it, and think you could use an old bolt, but you'd have to insert a new flat washer in the base to fill that new space so the filter would seal.
I haven't tried it, though I plan to, now that I've got an ACD arriving tomorrow to experiment with, re: the original issue.
I'll try to post some pics to illustrate.
Obviously, the mod would be strictly unapproved.

Oh, and @reefrat , it is NOT possible to remove the ACD mechanism from the yoke retainer of an ACD reg. It will no longer seal.

 

[JackD342]

Convertng to non-ACD by changing the yoke bolt is complicated by the fact that due to a patent infringement (I think), Aqualung had to invert the position of the sintered cone filter.
In doing so, it changed the shaping of the base of the bolt/regulator body. I've looked at it, and think you could use an old bolt, but you'd have to insert a new flat washer in the base to fill that new space so the filter would seal.
I haven't tried it, though I plan to, now that I've got an ACD arriving tomorrow to experiment with, re: the original issue.
I'll try to post some pics to illustrate.
Obviously, the mod would be strictly unapproved.

Two different part numbers depending on filter location for the old non-ACD Mikron part also, don’t know if either is available or not. So hopefully no reason to even toy with the idea of adding a washer. And yeah, based on commonality of ALL ACD part numbers excepting two filter placement versions, it might just work on Legend, too. I’ll probably check with them this week to satisfy my curiosity.
To be clear, I am speculating out loud, and not advocating a modification that has not first been run past their tech department. My reasoning and judgement does not trump theirs.
And yes, I think it was an AUP patent issue.
And... the ACD stays on my own Legend LX.

 

[JackD342]

Two different part numbers depending on filter location for the old non-ACD Mikron part also, don’t know if either is available or not. So hopefully no reason to even toy with the idea of adding a washer. And yeah, based on commonality of ALL ACD part numbers excepting two filter placement versions, it might just work on Legend, too. I’ll probably check with them this week to satisfy my curiosity.
To be clear, I am speculating out loud, and not advocating a modification that has not first been run past their tech department. My reasoning and judgement does not trump theirs.
And yes, I think it was an AUP patent issue.
And... the ACD stays on my own Legend LX.

Okay wasted a little more time on this. B2B site says one version is available, one is not. If I correctly interpret naming convention, it is the newer part that is in stock, which makes sense. Would have to call to see if other part is discontinued, or just on order.

Also, you don’t have to break it down to determine which version - PAT PEND on ACD is old filter placement, actual PAT # is new version.

 

[lexvil]

Convertng to non-ACD by changing the yoke bolt is complicated by the fact that due to a patent infringement (I think), Aqualung had to invert the position of the sintered cone filter.
In doing so, it changed the shaping of the base of the bolt/regulator body. I've looked at it, and think you could use an old bolt, but you'd have to insert a new flat washer in the base to fill that new space so the filter would seal.
I haven't tried it, though I plan to, now that I've got an ACD arriving tomorrow to experiment with, re: the original issue.
I'll try to post some pics to illustrate.
Obviously, the mod would be strictly unapproved.

Oh, and @reefrat , it is NOT possible to remove the ACD mechanism from the yoke retainer of an ACD reg. It will no longer seal.

Just drill a 1/16” hole in it

 

[JackD342]

Maybe I can do a Titan LX after all. The pre 2018 Mikron had no ACD, and it shared a body with the final version of Titan LX, and even the current Core. So if that older Mikron yoke connector is still available, I don’t see why not. You can either ask your local Aqualung service center to follow up, or if you want to ship to me in Chicago I will do the work to verify and convert.
(Actually two different part versions depending on where the filter is mounted, so the Reg needs to be partially broken down to determine which version. And I researched yoke, not DIN)

Okay, I will correct myself. The older Mikron yoke connector would likely not work with a Titan, Titan LX, or Legend. The light weight Mikron yoke is thinner at the base, so that was a unique connector. But there is an older Titan non-ACD yoke retainer that looks it could be used on most if not all recent generations of Titan, Titan LX, and Legend in place of the ACD, as they all have the same yoke. And again, there is a pre and post 2013 version for filter placement, and both appear to be in stock for ordering.

 

[jd950]

I have nothing constructive to add to the discussion as I lack the technical knowledge. I just wanted to say that I have enjoyed this thread and have found it it informative. It is nice to see a discussion that has remained constructive and free of argument and "my brand is better than yours" stuff that often kills a thread. I look forward to seeing what you folks are able to learn from testing and evaluation of this.