Assembling a Suunto transmitter & AL Legend LX

[ferretchen]

I've got an AL Legend LX reg and just bought a Vytec with transmitter. I'd like to keep my SPG on the reg. However, the transmitter is so bulky that it will not fit into the unused high-pressure port opposite the SPG. It interferes with the octo hose - even without a strain relief boot.

The only two solutions I see are:

1) Ditch the SPG and use that port for the transmitter.

2) Reverse the SPG and transmitter positions. This will work, except now the SPG will be on the same side as my second stage and octo - not good.

Any idea how I can solve this conundrum?

 

[BlueWaterDiving]

Buy a ScubaPro Mk-25 and you would not have that problem

That is a problem. If you are just using the spg for backup you can put on the right side. And clip it off in the back out of the way.

 

[Couv]

see if there is something on this page that will be of use:

SCUBA Hoses and Adapters..Variety of Lengths, Colors, Fittings

 

[scubafanatic]

...check out this link: SCUBA Hoses and Adapters..Variety of Lengths, Colors, Fittings

roll to the bottom of the page and check out the first few part #'s...you will see both HP and LP 'port adapters'.....these are used as 'spacers' to position something like a wireless HP computer transmitter further out from the first stage port...this will usually provide you the extra clearance you need if your first stage posts are too-closely spaced together.

Karl

 

[RJP]

I've got an AL Legend LX reg and just bought a Vytec with transmitter. I'd like to keep my SPG on the reg. However, the transmitter is so bulky that it will not fit into the unused high-pressure port opposite the SPG. It interferes with the octo hose - even without a strain relief boot.

The only two solutions I see are:

1) Ditch the SPG and use that port for the transmitter.

2) Reverse the SPG and transmitter positions. This will work, except now the SPG will be on the same side as my second stage and octo - not good.

Any idea how I can solve this conundrum?

I dive the same configuration (Aqualung Legend + Suunto transmitter + SPG) when diving singles and have no problem whatsoever. When you say it "interferes with the octo hose" what exactly do you mean?

Is it that you can't get the transmitter and the hose both attached, or is the octo hose getting caught up on the transmitter somehow?

 

[ferretchen]

In answer to RJP's question: The HP port is very close to the LP ports used to attach the two second stages. The transmitter has a rectangular profile which makes it bulky. As I thread it into the HP port, the corners of the transmitter's base hit the hose of my octo, to the extent that I can't turn it any more, even with gentle force. I pulled the boot back, which allowed me to get a few more turns out of the thing, but it eventually hit the metal sleeve at the end of the octo hose and then could not be turned any more. It was still not seated.

So I removed the octo hose, thinking that I might be able to assemble the transmitter first, then the octo, and make it work. No luck. There just isn't enough room for the octo hose and the transmitter to be on the right side. Perhaps if i forced it... but that's definitely not gonna happen.

I should mention that my reg is assembled so that the diaphragm points up when assembled on the tank, and the second stages point off to my right, with the inflator and SPG hoses on my left. This is the way the shop gave it to me - perhaps things would be different if I pulled everything off and reassembled it with the diaphragm down?

In the meantime, I've ordered an HP extender from leisure pro. This should give me an extra half inch or so, which is all I need. I hope.

 

[RJP]

In answer to RJP's question: The HP port is very close to the LP ports used to attach the two second stages. The transmitter has a rectangular profile which makes it bulky. As I thread it into the HP port, the corners of the transmitter's base hit the hose of my octo, to the extent that I can't turn it any more, even with gentle force. I pulled the boot back, which allowed me to get a few more turns out of the thing, but it eventually hit the metal sleeve at the end of the octo hose and then could not be turned any more. It was still not seated.

So I removed the octo hose, thinking that I might be able to assemble the transmitter first, then the octo, and make it work. No luck. There just isn't enough room for the octo hose and the transmitter to be on the right side. Perhaps if i forced it... but that's definitely not gonna happen.

I should mention that my reg is assembled so that the diaphragm points up when assembled on the tank, and the second stages point off to my right, with the inflator and SPG hoses on my left. This is the way the shop gave it to me - perhaps things would be different if I pulled everything off and reassembled it with the diaphragm down?

In the meantime, I've ordered an HP extender from leisure pro. This should give me an extra half inch or so, which is all I need. I hope.

Hmm - do you have a picture of the transmitter? My Suunto transmitter (Vytec DS) is more ROUND than square:

Edit: looking now at mine I guess it is somewhat "squared off" a bit and I can imagine that if any of the sides aligns such that the widest part is in the way it doesn't really matter WHAT shape it is.

I was gonna ask about whether you had your reg set up "right-side up" or "upside down" - sounds like it's "upside down." Not that there's really one or the other right way, but a good many folks (your's truly included) set it up so that it points downward. Depending on which hose goes where and whether some hoses are different than others this could make a difference.

Either way, I can assure you that there IS enough room next to a Suunto transmitter for TWO LP hoses to be attached to an AL Legend. As you point out, mounting the transmitter first often helps.

For sure you will need to ditch the hose protectors to fit them. This is a non issue of the highest order, and in fact many folks (your's truly included) believe you should ditch them anyway since 1.) They don't REALLY protect the hose, and 2.) They could actually cover up problems that would be detected visually long before they became an actual problem.

If it's any help I'll point out that I recently switched to Miflex hoses (MIFLEX Hoses), so can tell you for sure that they DO fit next to the transmitter. In fact - what length hoses are you dealing with? Since I swapped to Miflex hoses I have the following gently used hoses that would be available for sale or trade:

- 7ft primary hose
- 24" backup hose
- 29" drysuit hose
- 22" LPI inflator (standard QD)

I also might have some "standard length" octo/primary/LPI hoses laying around that I could try out with my setup, and if they do fit with the Suunto you're welcome to them.

PS - I'd cancel the HP extender order. You can/will for sure work this out without the need for introducing an uneccessary additional failure point. Especially one that will make your transmitter stick out more, and therefore that much more prone to getting bonked.

 

[RJP]

Edit: looking now at mine I guess it is somewhat "squared off" a bit and I can imagine that if any of the sides aligns such that the widest part is in the way it doesn't really matter WHAT shape it is.

More info...

Just swapped a bunch of different hoses - including OEM AquaLung hoses that came with the reg - and all fit fine. However, in doing so I noticed that the "squared off" sides of my transmitter are aligned perfectly to allow maximal clearance - parallel to the adjacent LP port. This is probably a complete random event based on how the threads in the reg were tapped, the threads on the transmitter were tapped, and how the transmitter was assembled. I didn't unscrew my transmitter to test this, but I think that if yours is such that one of the corners of the transmitter is closer to "pointing at" the LP port it would present a problem. (On mine there's probably not much more than room for a few sheets of paper in between the transmitter and a hose installed on the nearest LP port.)

If that's the case, depending on how mechanically inclined you are there MIGHT be a potential fix:

You could disassemble the transmitter, loosen the connection between the plastic base of the housing and the metal part that screws into the port a few degrees one way or the other. Then re-tighten the two, put the housing back together and install.

If you bought the computer/transmitter at an authorized dealer they might be able to do the above without voiding your warranty. (If you do it yourself you will probably void it.) Or, if you've not used it yet, perhaps they'd be willing to swap transmitters with one that better aligns with the ports on your reg. Hell, if you want to push the issue you could make the case that the problem you have is "a manufacturing defect" in that Suunto (owned by AquaLung) should at minimum ensure that the transmitter is compatible with their own top-selling regulator. Aligning it such that one of the LP ports is rendered un-usable is really not acceptable.

 

[ferretchen]

RJP,
Thanks for all of the info - I will play with this and let you know what happens. Good point about it being a "defect". I do indeed have this unfortunate confluence of threads and corners. My xmitter looks just like yours. I'll try the "right side up" and some other things before using that extender, which is a last resort, for all the reasons you mentioned.

 

[Burnsie]

Like was mentioned before, just flip it around so that it points downward. I haven't heard of anyone having this problem before, but that may be because we flip all of the legends we sell upside down. Hopefully it works for you.