Greeetings R A. ….no laughing here… I am doing the same. Please don’t ditch your ‘Doubles’ I have been diving USD DA Aquamaster & Royal Aquamaster for macro photography since about ‘83. No SPG power inflator or octo at that time. Careful dive planning, a partner w/close air consumption rate, J-valves and dive site surveys before switching my tank from SHR to my ‘double’ for the photo dive.
My 1st SCUBA intro in ‘74 w/used VOIT Trieste in a pool. Cool…after that determine to learn how to SCUBA dive. Lots of challenges last 30 years but I have learned a lot in the past 2 years. I now have about 20 ‘doubles’ some never dived with a few older than me. Lots of cleaning, hunting parts, learning how to service and actually overhaul them and I make them Safe to dive with. All my own personal collection, and not for sale. I am willing to help with advice and whom to contact.
A good place to start is, ‘The Scuba Museum’. Rob & Barb have restored gear, parts, accessories, almost anything you need to overhaul your vintage Double Hose Regulator(s). Next is A and D Adventures w/ Allan Klauda.
simonbeans@yahoo.com can help with restoration, make you an authentic tank harness customized for You, with ALL of the instructions you need. And finally a ‘Treadure Trove’ of vintage SCUBA knowledge. Alec Pierce Scuba out of ON, Canada. He is another patient individual who can help. I have many more at my disposal that I can send you to.
My all-time fave is the ‘Waterlung Dual-Air by Sportsways’ they also made the ‘Twin Jet’ and a ‘Navy Approved’ model. Mine HAS AMF Voit MR12 octopus regulator, a Sportsways ‘Sea-Vue’ tank gauge as well as a power inflator, making an excellent open water rig for any occasion. You can do the same w/Voit Trieste & Trieste II and there are others with many ports and HP port. Beware, though at that time the HP & LP fittings were the same size causing havoc when changing hoses.
ALWAYS, fill tanks to 2250 psi, no more for Vintage Doubles for Safety. Try to purchase ‘Basic SCUBA’ 2nd edition by Fred Roberts. This book has the essential things to know and how to assemble and maintain your DHRs.
I wish you the best. Please send a response if you are able. Forgive me for finding your post so late.
sincerely
the giantfroginthepool
Scott G. Bonser, PADI DM since ‘84. And avid vintage collector.