Let’s make DSV
My SF2 DSV continues to leak water and always needs to be
serviced. I’ve tried everything, but no luck in fixing the problem. After 3D
modelling some parts, I decided to go for it and make every part again. The
quality of manufacturing and design of the SF2 DSV is quite low and will almost
always leak. I also fixed several design issues and mistakes, such as “water
traps” which made removing water out of the mouthpiece almost impossible during
a dive.
Design:
I streamline air flow, now with all sharp edges and water pockets
removed. I changed the drum material to titanium, which keeps shapes and
tolerances well during machining (also avoids leaking and continuous
maintenance). I changed the outside shape to a circle. I feel that it works
better personally.
The material for the plastic parts is Derlin and metal parts are
titanium. One of the biggest improvements was mushroom valve holders, now holes
are 20% larger and air flow is as good as I can get it.
Machining:
The body and drum need a 5-axis CNC, other parts are just regular
NC milling. Polishing after machining and I will change the color of the
titanium parts later. Machining order is very important for these parts
otherwise they will lose shape, which happened to the original DSV.
Assembly:
The parts go together without any problems. I used O2 lube and
O-rings. It works like a “gun lock” when all the parts are well polished, drum
movement is very smooth.
Finally water test…
I’ve made several dives up to 45m. The water temperature has been
around 8-25⁰C. Total diving time using this DIY DSV is around 20 hours at the
moment. So far so good. DSV still works as new with no leak or any other issues.
Conclusion:
To me it feels like WOB feels better and the new one is more
silent. The loop is easy to open and close in every situation and water
removing from DSV is easy now. I can definitely say that it is better than the
original, but I haven’t experienced other DSV’s.
Not a very smart project, but the result
is super good and something to do for a few weekends since I can’t travel
anywhere due to COVID-19.
Here are some photos from my project.
My SF2 DSV continues to leak water and always needs to be
serviced. I’ve tried everything, but no luck in fixing the problem. After 3D
modelling some parts, I decided to go for it and make every part again. The
quality of manufacturing and design of the SF2 DSV is quite low and will almost
always leak. I also fixed several design issues and mistakes, such as “water
traps” which made removing water out of the mouthpiece almost impossible during
a dive.
Design:
I streamline air flow, now with all sharp edges and water pockets
removed. I changed the drum material to titanium, which keeps shapes and
tolerances well during machining (also avoids leaking and continuous
maintenance). I changed the outside shape to a circle. I feel that it works
better personally.
The material for the plastic parts is Derlin and metal parts are
titanium. One of the biggest improvements was mushroom valve holders, now holes
are 20% larger and air flow is as good as I can get it.
Machining:
The body and drum need a 5-axis CNC, other parts are just regular
NC milling. Polishing after machining and I will change the color of the
titanium parts later. Machining order is very important for these parts
otherwise they will lose shape, which happened to the original DSV.
Assembly:
The parts go together without any problems. I used O2 lube and
O-rings. It works like a “gun lock” when all the parts are well polished, drum
movement is very smooth.
Finally water test…
I’ve made several dives up to 45m. The water temperature has been
around 8-25⁰C. Total diving time using this DIY DSV is around 20 hours at the
moment. So far so good. DSV still works as new with no leak or any other issues.
Conclusion:
To me it feels like WOB feels better and the new one is more
silent. The loop is easy to open and close in every situation and water
removing from DSV is easy now. I can definitely say that it is better than the
original, but I haven’t experienced other DSV’s.
Not a very smart project, but the result
is super good and something to do for a few weekends since I can’t travel
anywhere due to COVID-19.
Here are some photos from my project.