Basic gear from mid-twentieth-century Sweden

[jale]

Thanks a lot for all these informative threads

 

[Bigbella]

Here is an early double reserve manifold (#1241), produced by AquaSport / Poseidon, during the 1960s; and one of the more interesting aspects of the valve, was the then cutting edge addition of an HP port for a potential submersible pressure gauge -- then, a rarity, since the the current model, at that time, the Cyklon Junior, possessed only a single port, reserved for the second stage.

While closing out an old storage unit -- my only real 2022 resolution having been satisfied (aside from more gin) -- I couldn't help but take a few shots, of some great old gear . . .

 

[jale]

Here is an early double reserve manifold (#1241), produced by AquaSport / Poseidon, during the 1960s; and one of the more interesting aspects of the valve, was the then cutting edge addition of an HP port for a potential submersible pressure gauge -- then, a rarity, since the the current model, at the time, the Cyklon Junior, possessed only a single port, and just for the second stage.

While closing out an old storage unit -- my only real 2022 resolution, aside from more gin -- I couldn't help but take a few shots, of some great old gear . . .

Wow, that is really nice!
Thanks for showing us this "device" I thought it was a faucet

 

[ScubaBadger32]

those swim fins look like something out of a kids swim team. i love the fun colors, and wish i could buy scuba fins with colors like that!

 

[ScubaBadger32]

Here is an early double reserve manifold (#1241), produced by AquaSport / Poseidon, during the 1960s; and one of the more interesting aspects of the valve, was the then cutting edge addition of an HP port for a potential submersible pressure gauge -- then, a rarity, since the the current model, at the time, the Cyklon Junior, possessed only a single port, and just for the second stage.

While closing out an old storage unit -- my only real 2022 resolution, aside from more gin -- I couldn't help but take a few shots, of some great old gear . . .

that, my friend, looks so sketchy.

 

[Bigbella]

that, my friend, looks so sketchy.

Heh, heh, heh . . .

It was a dynamite piece of gear; and I used it for years, over maybe two thousand dives -- even after more commonly switching a single tank; eventually, just less weight to handle -- especially when we would hike in, to sites, along Big Sur.

I used the valve, variously, with a metal rod attached to the reserve switch; then, later, with a length of braided gangion, with a sinker attached.

Never a problem . . .

 

[ScubaBadger32]

Heh, heh, heh . . .

It was a dynamite piece of gear; and I used it for years, over maybe two thousand dives -- even after more commonly switching a single tank; eventually, just less weight to handle -- especially when we would hike in, to sites, along Big Sur.

I used the valve, variously, with a metal rod attached to the reserve switch; then, later, with a length of braided gangion, with a sinker attached.

Never a problem . . .

thats insane. ive done 25 dives TOTAL, and that still looks amazing. and i get what you mean by "dynamite", looks like if you put 150 BAR in there it will be just that, dynamite.

 

[Bigbella]

thats insane. ive done 25 dives TOTAL, and that still looks amazing. and i get what you mean by "dynamite", looks like if you put 150 BAR in there it will be just that, dynamite.

Oddly enough, that valve was rated at 300 bar (hence, the name, Cyklon 300); though most tanks in the US were still hovering around 200 . . .

 

[Luis H]

I have a couple of those Poseidon manifolds that are part of one set of Poseidon and one set of Drager twin cylinders. I used them for years back in the 70's and 80's.

I lived in Puerto Rico and bought both set from a merchant mariner.

I never new there was anyone else in the US that was using this systems. Back in the 70,s no one around here new what DIN fitting was... actually back then it wasn't called DIN fitting. We just called it the threaded European fitting.

It is great way to join two independent DIN valve cylinders. They can be joined or split with the tanks full, just close the valves.

The system is a lot more rugged than many other twin manifolds.

Here is some of my old Cyklon 300 and a very early Cyklon with only the single LP port.

The manifold on the right is not Poseidon it came with the Drager (German) set of twins. It was a very similar idea joining two DIN valves into one outlet. The big difference is that it didn't have O-rings on the male DIN or O-ring grooves. It used phenolic washers to seal and a big wrench was needed to get a good seal. Once tight it was very reliable.

 

[Bigbella]

I have a couple of those Poseidon manifolds that are part of one set of Poseidon and one set of Drager twin cylinders. I used them for years back in the 70's and 80's.

I liver in Puerto Rico and bought both set from a merchant mariner.

I never new there was anyone else in the US that was using this systems. Back in the 70,s no one around here new what DIN fitting was... actually back then it wasn't called DIN fitting. We just called it the threaded European fitting.

It is great way to join two independent DIN valve cylinders. They can be joined or split with the tanks full, just close the valves.

The system is a lot more rugged than many other twin manifolds.

Thanks, Luis.

Those photos look familiar. Were they previously posted here, a few years back?

I wouldn't say that they were that common; but I do recall seeing a few of the manifolds around California, through the late 1970s and 80s, when Poseidon had a far greater presence in the US than it seems to enjoy today. Among many commercial divers that I knew, it was either the Swedes or ScubaPro, back then. There had once been a discounted offer for both the Cyklon Super and the double manifold, in a package deal, through a local shop.

If I recall, it was a then staggering US 225-250.00 -- an all-too intimidating sum for a slack-jawed punk of a kid, with a Summer job.

DIN valves also showed up sporadically, far earlier than many realize -- mostly brought back by those traveling from Europe -- Germany in particular, who appreciated their potential advantages. I was given a couple, as a gift, early on; thought they were great.

I'll still have to dig around to find my brackets and block; but I agree, it was one hell of a rugged manifold, and still looks far better, after decades of beating, than some old Sherwood valves from that same time . . .