DIY regulator test/flow panel

[-JD-]

Since we're all sharing, here's the traveling tuning kit my son made (with a little input) prior to heading off to IDC. It all fits in a Husky tool box, and he carried nipples out to one side to attach to the first stage on 300psi and 3000psi tanks for tuning. In the lower left corner, he's built in a little precision test pump to measure cracking effort, a la Regulator test rig you don't need to suck.
In the center is a hardware store regulator that ends in a scuba hose thread to attach second stages, that is adjustable to any desired IP. He uses an old Conshelf XII overtuned to 160psi to supply the adjustable regulator from a nipple on the lower left edge of the case.
He spent days sanding and varnishing the inset panels that make his work surface. I have to admit, it's compact! Wish I had that much leisure time! I guess there are a few benefits to the COVID lockdown. The lucky guy just finished two weeks and 57 day and night boat dives in Key Largo! We had some long talks about ascent profiles since he was packing in that much diving. He paid for 2 weeks of unlimited boat dives. I guess he got his money's worth!
IDC starts next week.
View attachment 598936

Dang, that is pretty! Tip-o-the-hat to your son.

 

[-JD-]

I finally got my gauge set box together after an insane amount of time finding just the right housing for me. It is not a show-piece like Rob's son's, but I think it will work well for my needs. I put in a vac box in it too since I had room. (Vac-build here: Regulator test rig you don't need to suck.)

I wanted it to be able to fit in a tool box that can house all of my other reg-servicing tools. I picked up a 2-drawer Craftsman box with a deep top bay to use for the purpose (it also fits the 3-drawer shallower-topped version with a little persuasion): The gauge-box mounts to the toolbox lid with 4 magnets, and the lid drops down to nestle perfectly in the top bay, holding the toolbox lid firmly open.

Closed up - holds the air-lines connected, the vac USB power brick, even an extra BCD hose in case I'm servicing an inflator-hose-less reg.

And then it drops down into the top bay for transport leaving plenty of room for extras:

 

[rsingler]

The lucky guy just finished two weeks and 57 day and night boat dives in Key Largo! We had some long talks about ascent profiles since he was packing in that much diving. He paid for 2 weeks of unlimited boat dives. I guess he got his money's worth!
IDC starts next week.

Off topic, I know. But I'm a proud Dad.

Doug finished IDC a couple weeks ago, and aced his IE. By sheer chance, we were in Key Largo together, as I was starting some training of my own. Now he's making his new home in the Keys, the lucky dog! My CCR instructor was kind enough to let him accompany us on two training dives in the Spiegel Grove. His technique impressed my instructor enough that I think he's going to hire him, traveling test panel in hand, lol!

After he and I got to dive together on the Spiegel, he and a dive buddy made this little 55 sec. video of finding the treasured Snoopy medallion that was the ship's mascot. I just have to share.
Sorry for the hijack!

 

[Pearlman]

Ok I got my setup almost ready. One question I have is do I leave the HP port on the side of the Magnahelic open? I’ve currently screwed the brass adapter to fit the tubing to both the side ports for LP and HP (not seen in pic). The ports on the backside are all sealed with the threaded insert. (Let’s ignore my other post/thread on the same topic and continue here)..

 

[Pearlman]

For those that asked and may want it for their personal test bench - Sharing the engineering drawings for the design and laser cutting of the faceplate I got done for my Magnahelic and IPGuage test bench setup here. As seen in the pics posted above ^^^ …

SCUBA Test Bench Engineering Drawings ZIP

This is being shared by the engineer under a Creative Commons License (License agreement is included in attached in zip file).

Use of these technical engineering drawings is permitted for personal use only - Commercial usage for mass-manufacturing is prohibited.

In case you like his work and want any other projects to be executed on a contract then feel free to reach out to him. Name and contact details are on the documents.

Attaching a few sample pics:

You will need to buy a VESA quick release adapter locally from Amazon if you don’t have one already.

 

[rsingler]

One question I have is do I leave the HP port on the side of the Magnahelic open?

Yes

 

[gaydivebuddy]

Ok I got my setup almost ready. One question I have is do I leave the HP port on the side of the Magnahelic open? I’ve currently screwed the brass adapter to fit the tubing to both the side ports for LP and HP (not seen in pic). The ports on the backside are all sealed with the threaded insert. (Let’s ignore my other post/thread on the same topic and continue here)..

View attachment 857833View attachment 857834

That's a clever idea. I used to own a computer repair store I still have some of this stuff lying around in my St Louis home (live and dive full time hear Cancun now). I'll be working on my own tools and test stations more when I head back sometime. But thanks this is so practical and a good reuse of e waste

 

[Pearlman]

I originally came up with this idea to remove the gauges and wrap it in bubble wrap to store it in a box the rest of the year. But then I read in the notes that the Magnahelic needs to be vertical during operation or else the manufacturer should be notified when placing the order if the intended use is at any kind of angle. So now I am wondering if the Magnahelic can be stored flat horizontal for long periods without deforming the diaphragm within? It certainly did ship in a small box that likely saw many orientations of placement during shipping and storage …

Edit: Ofcourse the question is theoretical. One can always stow it away in a vertical position…