My dive buddy has a functional Aries 1st stage, but of course nobody will service it. He says I'm welcome to it for use as a drysuit reg, but without any new parts I'm sure it'll eventually fail. Is there any way to service this thing as non-life-support equipment? O-Rings from McMaster-Carr?
Aries 1st stage as drysuit regulator
- Thread starter viperwsu
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If you find someone with a strong background in both Aeris and Oceanic, there is probably a comparable Oceanic parts kit if you are comfortable going that route. But.... the next level of comfort to gain is that Oceanic/Hollis made some running changes to all of their 1st stage valves recently since Aeris went under, so the "comparable" Aeris valve parts are no longer available in Oceanic parts. Now, are you also comfortable making the same upgrade/change to the Aeris valve that was implemented on the Oceanic valves? I can't really say, and you won't find anyone at Oceanic/Hollis that will go on record as saying it is okay. Huish washed their hands of Aeris when they bought what was left of AUP.
I am not close to the Oceanic side, so I don't know if that valve change was only for diaphragm, or if there was also a change for piston valves. If your friend's Aeris valve is a piston model (I think A2 was the last version they made) then it might very well be a pure Oceanic clone with current comparability.
I am not close to the Oceanic side, so I don't know if that valve change was only for diaphragm, or if there was also a change for piston valves. If your friend's Aeris valve is a piston model (I think A2 was the last version they made) then it might very well be a pure Oceanic clone with current comparability.
AT400 was their 2nd to last diaphragm 1st stage, originally circa 2009. Final one was AT600. DVT = Dry Valve Technology.
So that is what someone needs to see if there is a cross reference to a similar Oceanic.
Oceanic has stopped producing DVT regulators, and I think may even be converting older ones as they are serviced. Would have to check with an Oceanic specialist on that last note. And that is one more complication depending on matching of parts needed to convert.
So that is what someone needs to see if there is a cross reference to a similar Oceanic.
Oceanic has stopped producing DVT regulators, and I think may even be converting older ones as they are serviced. Would have to check with an Oceanic specialist on that last note. And that is one more complication depending on matching of parts needed to convert.
A word of caution. If the reg is just used for your drysuit with no second stage attached to it, you really should add an over pressure valve. If the first stage fails, the air is going somewhere, be it a burst hose or dumping into your suit. OPVs are cheap insurance, $6-7 so you really should add one to the reg.
Really good point. If you have a 2nd stage attached that serves the same purpose, but of course then it is more "stuff" attached.
I should also point out that for all I know Oceanic is continuing to support the DVT in parts kits even though they stopped producing new ones - so that may or may not be an added issue. Need someone close to that brand to weigh in for specifics.
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