Finally..... double hose....

[herman]

Looks like Simonsbeans and DA have pretty much covered the Phoenix and HPR....although I may can tell you more about the HPR than Allan thinks....I have the very first one that was made. Luis did the design, I did the original protoype work on the HPR and made the first samples before it went into production.
You should join us on VDH, the wealth of DH knowledge there is huge.

 

[dead dog]

" It adds 3 HP ports and 3 LP ports "

Why would you need 3 HP ports for ?

 

[KD8NPB]

This thread is worthless without pictures!

Also, let it be known : As a fill operator, I worry more about those damn carbon fiber paintball tanks than I worry about "bad alloy" aluminums and old steels... I have yet to see an old steel tank fail hydro.

 

[Nemrod]

" It adds 3 HP ports and 3 LP ports "

Why would you need 3 HP ports for ?

Because in the real world you need:

1. Octopus/secondary to share air
2. LP inflator hose for BC
3. Drysuit inflator
4. An SPG
5. And some people like those transmitter things as a back up or vice versa

The 3 plus 3 configuration is a result of the hexagonal alternating port arrangement so that at least some of the LP/HP ports align in a useful orientation when screwed into the body. Yes, it is possible to clock the assembly but that takes a bit of know how though not very much. The Phoenix RAM HPR (translation: reborn Royal Aqua Master High Performance Regulator) is generally used with twin hose divers who use modern gear or sometimes use modern gear because:

1. All commercial dive boats/operations in the USA and most of the world REQUIRE a BC and an octopus second
2. Vintage drysuits are cute but not nearly as nice a DUI/Bare/etc.
3. An SPG without the hassle and compatibility issues of a banjo bolt

And, just because a Phoenix is installed does not mean you have to use the ports. The Phoenix also adds:

1. Compatibility with service kits for the AL Titan
2. Improved performance
3. Heavy duty 3,400 psi yoke
4. Replaceable volcano orifice

And the HPR second stage gives you:

1. A second stage that is much less sensitive to tuning skill
2. Improved breathing and response
3. Better overall and simplified design
4. Improved LP seat material


And then add:

1. Any generation of silicone hose in gray, black, yellow or green
2. And a silicone hour glass or curved mouthpiece
3. Streamline cage valves with soft, responsive silicone cage valves
4. Silicone "super flex" main diaphragm
5. Duckbill replacement fitting with mushroom silicone exhaust valve

Mix in a bit of knowledge about tuning the twin hose or just let vdh do it for you and what you get is a fully modern regulator that can in fact out perform virtually any high performance single hose regulator at any depth and with nearly impervious durability. And it will not slap your ears with loud exhaust bubbles, will not scare the critters away and will not fatigue your jaw muscles and is just way cool. And it irritates the crap out of a certain type of diver and that alone is worth it even before all the cool upgrades.

N

 

[oldschoolto]

So I don't need to fire up the bridgeport and lathe and start making chips and turnings..... The phoenix look way cool... Have to put that on "NEXT YEARS" christmas list.... The wife said "we got a grandchild coming and we don't need any MORE GEAR"..... I know I'm still missing some stuff

and I am on VDH... just a lurker..... Got repair kits from Bryan for my conshelf supreme's

Jim....

 

[Luis H]

And the HPR second stage gives you:

1. A second stage that is much less sensitive to tuning skill
2. Improved breathing and response
3. Better overall and simplified design
4. Improved LP seat material

N

You forgot one of my favorite features of the HPR... it doesn't need the tabs in the diaphragm. It uses the same flat disc diaphragm as a Mistral. There is no need to align the diaphragm every time you open the case.
I dive mostly in salt water and it is nice to open and rinse the case if needed.


Jim,
Let me know if you come down this way and you can try one of my Phoenix HPR.

 

[dead dog]

Because in the real world you need:

1. Octopus/secondary to share air
2. LP inflator hose for BC
3. Drysuit inflator
4. An SPG
5. And some people like those transmitter things as a back up or vice versa

The 3 plus 3 configuration is a result of the hexagonal alternating port arrangement so that at least some of the LP/HP ports align in a useful orientation when screwed into the body. Yes, it is possible to clock the assembly but that takes a bit of know how though not very much. The Phoenix RAM HPR (translation: reborn Royal Aqua Master High Performance Regulator) is generally used with twin hose divers who use modern gear or sometimes use modern gear because:

1. All commercial dive boats/operations in the USA and most of the world REQUIRE a BC and an octopus second
2. Vintage drysuits are cute but not nearly as nice a DUI/Bare/etc.
3. An SPG without the hassle and compatibility issues of a banjo bolt

And, just because a Phoenix is installed does not mean you have to use the ports. The Phoenix also adds:

1. Compatibility with service kits for the AL Titan
2. Improved performance
3. Heavy duty 3,400 psi yoke
4. Replaceable volcano orifice

And the HPR second stage gives you:

1. A second stage that is much less sensitive to tuning skill
2. Improved breathing and response
3. Better overall and simplified design
4. Improved LP seat material


And then add:

1. Any generation of silicone hose in gray, black, yellow or green
2. And a silicone hour glass or curved mouthpiece
3. Streamline cage valves with soft, responsive silicone cage valves
4. Silicone "super flex" main diaphragm
5. Duckbill replacement fitting with mushroom silicone exhaust valve

Mix in a bit of knowledge about tuning the twin hose or just let vdh do it for you and what you get is a fully modern regulator that can in fact out perform virtually any high performance single hose regulator at any depth and with nearly impervious durability. And it will not slap your ears with loud exhaust bubbles, will not scare the critters away and will not fatigue your jaw muscles and is just way cool. And it irritates the crap out of a certain type of diver and that alone is worth it even before all the cool upgrades.

N

Because in the real world you need:

1. Octopus/secondary to share air = LP
2. LP inflator hose for BC = LP
3. Drysuit inflator = LP
4. An SPG = HP
5. And some people like those transmitter things as a back up or vice versa = HP/LP

 

[Ed Palma]

The wife said "we got a grandchild coming and we don't need any MORE GEAR"..... I know I'm still missing some stuff

You can tell your wife that the Phoenix is just an upgrade part That way, you can justify getting it without calling it "gear" Its the bee's knees. Alas, Brian's currently out of stock, but hopefully will have some more this January. I have 2 PRAMs in my collection (one is a loaner ) and they both ROCK!

 

[Nemrod]

Because in the real world you need:

1. Octopus/secondary to share air = LP
2. LP inflator hose for BC = LP
3. Drysuit inflator = LP
4. An SPG = HP
5. And some people like those transmitter things as a back up or vice versa = HP/LP

I explained that the Phoenix first stage assembly screws into the regulator body. The assembly has a hexagonal shape with alternating HP and LP ports, three each. The purpose is to allow at least some usable ports since the final clocking when torqued is not predictable. Then I said, with a small amount of know how it is possible to clock the assembly to a desired orientation and this is done by utilizing the available torque range and shimming the sealing face of the nozzle to the body.

I like a LP port (right for octo) and a HP port (left for spg) each at 90 degrees to the regulator cans and that, as a result of the hex shape, puts one LP port up at the desired angle to route over the shoulder for the LP inflator and one HP down at a angle for a transmitter for the spg HP port. The above method uses as many as five of the available six ports. Many people prefer a different orientation and some even still use the hookah port for the ocotpus second.

N

 

[DA Aquamaster]

I have two PRAMs and I'll snag some pictures tomorrow.

I like having one HP port at about a 4 or 5 o'clock position (looking at the reg from the front) and use that port for the SPG. That leaves one LP port facing down at 7 or 8 o'clock position for an octo and another at about 1 or 2 o'clock for the power inflator.

The Voit style hour glass mouthpieces are in my opinion are the most comfortable, especially in the new repro versions in silicone.

I had mine re-chromed and got custom PRAM labels for the can and the yoke knob.

-----

Another option for a diver wanting to use a DH reg for sport diving with modern accessories is to get a hookah port adapter and then add a 3 port adapter. It works pretty well as it will route the octo down at about an 8 o'clock angle, with the power inflator hose going the opposite direction at about 2 o'clock. The SPG is a little more complicated. The good news is that you can get repro banjo fittings now - in the past they were very scarce and would bring about $100 in useable, but were often a bit too thick to use with some valves, even with the "long" yoke. The bad news is, you'll need a long yoke on your USD DH reg.

Another option is one of the older vintage J or K valves with the 3/8" HP port built into the valve. The port is depressurized with the valve closed, so you can attach and remove a 3/8" HP hose (or a 7/16" HP hose with an adapter).

I've set my Royal Aquamaster up with a bajno fitting and hookah port adapter.