CCR Dolphin

[Diver Mike]

I just finished certification on my CCR and have a dolphin left over. I got to thninking that thismight be a neat basic unit to make into a CCR. Has anyone ever made a CCR from a Dolphin?

If so are there any links to parts, tips, construction steps, etc that might provide some guidance as to the feasability of a project like this.

Any estimates as to costs would also be approeciated.

Thanks,

 

[cool_hardware52]

I just finished certification on my CCR and have a dolphin left over. I got to thninking that thismight be a neat basic unit to make into a CCR. Has anyone ever made a CCR from a Dolphin?

If so are there any links to parts, tips, construction steps, etc that might provide some guidance as to the feasability of a project like this.

Any estimates as to costs would also be approeciated.

Thanks,

Mike,

There is a lot of info on RB's on the web. Here's a couple sites that might have some info of interest:


http://www.metacut.com/rebreathers/Default.htm

http://www.nobubblediving.com/

http://www.divenet.com/divematics/

http://www.vk4tub.org/tubby/Abyss_Rebreather/Sale_parts/index.htm


Regards,



Tobin

 

[caveseeker7]

Has anyone ever made a CCR from a Dolphin?

Are you kidding?
Manually controlled Dolphins are probably the most usual CCR conversions, using either Jetsam's KISS valve or some version of Tubby's adjustable needle valve.

If so are there any links to parts, tips, construction steps, etc that might provide some guidance as to the feasability of a project like this.

Here a couple of links -
for KISS info and parts:
Jetsam
Tech Blue
Chris is on the boards as TechBlue, and his site has prices.

For needle valve Dolphins:
Tubby's website

Three people who have done it:
Ron Micjan's TMI site,
which also has teardowns of several other CCRs, including the new SportKiss and the Cis-Lunar MK-5p - always a good site to visit. He's occasionally at TDS.
Kim Meinecke from Denmark
JDZ's CCR Dolphin JDZ is quite active at TDS and Dive-Oz and a very frindly chap form down-under. He dives a needle valved Dolphin.

There are even DrägerKiss Smartgroups , this one in French but you can still look at the pics. You'll also find plenty of divers on the various Dräger, KISS and the rebreather list. Finally check Rebreathers Worldwide , Janwillem has plenty of pics and links to modified Dolphins.

Any estimates as to costs would also be approeciated.

Have a look at TechBlue's website, which has prices, as well as TecMe 's in Germany. They supply all kinds of neat products for Dräger users, including some of the adapters you may want to use.

 

[wedivebc]

One more for the collection http://www.tmishop.com

Oops looks like caveseeker got that one too.

 

[Diver Mike]

I guess in the back of my mind I knew this had been done and done a lot. I never realized how much by how many.

Thank you for all the links etc.

This board has the best and most knowledgable people I have ever had the pleasure to converse with.

Thanks again.

Mike...

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

I guess in the back of my mind I knew this had been done and done a lot. I never realized how much by how many.

Thank you for all the links etc.

This board has the best and most knowledgable people I have ever had the pleasure to converse with.

Thanks again.

Mike...

Mike i am getting certifed for Dolphin rebreather withen the next few weeks, if you ever think of selling your unit, drop me a pm.

I also researched turning the Dophin into CCR, as i will be diving the Dolphin SCR and probley goto CCR to withen the next year.

How did you like the Dolphin RB? I will be using it to only replace my open circut with diving withen rec limits, but diving on a rebreather, how easy are they to "clean" and any pro's and con's from your experiances would be helpfull.

I thought after diving the Dolphin for the next year, i would goto CCR and advance into tri-mix on A CCR, and use a RB for that would suit the kind of diving i would be doing in another year from now, and probley looking into other Rb's at that point, thanks !

 

[Diver Mike]

Mike i am getting certifed for Dolphin rebreather withen the next few weeks, if you ever think of selling your unit, drop me a pm.

I also researched turning the Dophin into CCR, as i will be diving the Dolphin SCR and probley goto CCR to withen the next year.

How did you like the Dolphin RB? I will be using it to only replace my open circut with diving withen rec limits, but diving on a rebreather, how easy are they to "clean" and any pro's and con's from your experiances would be helpfull.

I thought after diving the Dolphin for the next year, i would goto CCR and advance into tri-mix on A CCR, and use a RB for that would suit the kind of diving i would be doing in another year from now, and probley looking into other Rb's at that point, thanks !

I love my Dolphin, I have over 700 dives on the two that I have owned (one Atlantis and one Dolphin).

I am in the process of doing the conversion and will diving with Ron Micjan in mid- December to complete training on the CCR Dolphin.

I got most of the information from folks here on the board and finally went with the very simple, but effective conversion from Ron Micjan at www.tmishop.com to do the conversion.

I am using his backplate adapter (one of the best pieces of "homebuilt" gear I have ever seen), and adding a Dive Rite Transpac for the BC/Harness. Two 13cu ft bottles should give 5.5 to 6 hours duration. Now that is effective and cheap diving. I have dove tri-mix on OC and am planning on the tri-mix for CCR course next year. Adapters come from www.techme.de and all hoses and tanks from LDS.

As to the Dolphin. The between dives work is pretty routine, change the tank, check everything, flow test and check the mix, reassmble the unit (10 minutes for all this), negative pressure check (Open DSV, Suck hoses flat, close DSV and observe for 5 minutes). If you need to fill the scrubber (not likely on a one day dive trip) that will add 10 minutes to the total time.

Put it back on and in the water. Breath warm, moist air, be silent and enjoy up to 2 hours of bottom time on Nitorx and a 27cu ft (4L) tank.

Post dive, wash everything off, disassemble, empty and clean the scrubber (unless you have durationm left and are diving the next day), after every dive day or weekend, I dissinfect the breathing loop (DSV< Hoses and bags) in A33 solution for 10 minutes, rinse and let dry. Reassemble, slight inflation to BC and hang in cool dry, dark area until the next dive.

Pre-Dive, fill the scrubber (either full or half full (with adapter)), assemble, calibrate the Oxygagus and install, pack in car and go to dive site.

Pre-dive (Dive AIte), recheck all connections, check flow rate and mix, do negative pressure check, plan dive with dive buddy and dive plan, repeat as often as desired.

Dive Safe.

Mike...

 

[wedivebc]

Mike i am getting certifed for Dolphin rebreather withen the next few weeks, if you ever think of selling your unit, drop me a pm.

I also researched turning the Dophin into CCR, as i will be diving the Dolphin SCR and probley goto CCR to withen the next year.

How did you like the Dolphin RB? I will be using it to only replace my open circut with diving withen rec limits, but diving on a rebreather, how easy are they to "clean" and any pro's and con's from your experiances would be helpfull.

I thought after diving the Dolphin for the next year, i would goto CCR and advance into tri-mix on A CCR, and use a RB for that would suit the kind of diving i would be doing in another year from now, and probley looking into other Rb's at that point, thanks !

I just spent last weekend diving my newly converted kiss/dolphin. With about 5 hrs on it now I must say I love it. I have been diving scr for a year or so but I would always strap on the doubles for deep stuff. The reduced weight, less gas used and less deco time make this the best move I ever made. We were on a boat with OC trimix divers who each had 2 e8 130s. We did similar profiles with about 10cuft of trimix dil and 6 cuft O2, including deco. The unit performed well and the CCR mod took about an hour to install including the couch dive to test flow rates etc.
Ron Micjan has his unit for sale if you want an already converted ccr/dolphin with plenty of ccr experience so you know it works well.

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

I just spent last weekend diving my newly converted kiss/dolphin. With about 5 hrs on it now I must say I love it. I have been diving scr for a year or so but I would always strap on the doubles for deep stuff. The reduced weight, less gas used and less deco time make this the best move I ever made. We were on a boat with OC trimix divers who each had 2 e8 130s. We did similar profiles with about 10cuft of trimix dil and 6 cuft O2, including deco. The unit performed well and the CCR mod took about an hour to install including the couch dive to test flow rates etc.
Ron Micjan has his unit for sale if you want an already converted ccr/dolphin with plenty of ccr experience so you know it works well.

thanks!! I have a question, how do you "add" your 02 or trimix at depth on converted dolphin to ccr? Is it manual? I would think you have your tri-mix bottle for depth, and your 50/50 mix, or o2 bottle and diluintent for travel/deco?

 

[Life-Is-Good-Diver]

I love my Dolphin, I have over 700 dives on the two that I have owned (one Atlantis and one Dolphin).

I am in the process of doing the conversion and will diving with Ron Micjan in mid- December to complete training on the CCR Dolphin.

I got most of the information from folks here on the board and finally went with the very simple, but effective conversion from Ron Micjan at www.tmishop.com to do the conversion.

I am using his backplate adapter (one of the best pieces of "homebuilt" gear I have ever seen), and adding a Dive Rite Transpac for the BC/Harness. Two 13cu ft bottles should give 5.5 to 6 hours duration. Now that is effective and cheap diving. I have dove tri-mix on OC and am planning on the tri-mix for CCR course next year. Adapters come from www.techme.de and all hoses and tanks from LDS.

As to the Dolphin. The between dives work is pretty routine, change the tank, check everything, flow test and check the mix, reassmble the unit (10 minutes for all this), negative pressure check (Open DSV, Suck hoses flat, close DSV and observe for 5 minutes). If you need to fill the scrubber (not likely on a one day dive trip) that will add 10 minutes to the total time.

Put it back on and in the water. Breath warm, moist air, be silent and enjoy up to 2 hours of bottom time on Nitorx and a 27cu ft (4L) tank.

Post dive, wash everything off, disassemble, empty and clean the scrubber (unless you have durationm left and are diving the next day), after every dive day or weekend, I dissinfect the breathing loop (DSV< Hoses and bags) in A33 solution for 10 minutes, rinse and let dry. Reassemble, slight inflation to BC and hang in cool dry, dark area until the next dive.

Pre-Dive, fill the scrubber (either full or half full (with adapter)), assemble, calibrate the Oxygagus and install, pack in car and go to dive site.

Pre-dive (Dive AIte), recheck all connections, check flow rate and mix, do negative pressure check, plan dive with dive buddy and dive plan, repeat as often as desired.

Dive Safe.

Mike...

Mike , thanks for taking the time , very helpfull, did you ever hear of the OMG Azimuth semi-closed rebreather? That unit looks to be a bit cheaper then the dolphin, but has 2 tanks, and seems to have some advantages, do you know anything about it?