Is our never-used Dacor 360 regulator from 1989 still usable?

[Scott G. Bonser]

You can always try the SB classifieds. Always regs for sale here.

Nldunn, I never really found what I was satisfied with much on FB or Craigslist. I have had better luck w/eBay.

 

[nldunn]

I will check my sources before I make an offer. If possible, please Direct Message me and send any pictures including box, papers, the actual regulator or regulator setup. Scubapros are really Great regulators IMHO. ( now this may take me awhile to send an offer .)

Scott G. Bonser

I’m working late today and tomorrow so I likely won’t get to sending pics until Thursday. No rush. We’ve had it a while.

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

I’m working late today and tomorrow so I likely won’t get to sending pics until Thursday. No rush. We’ve had it a while.

Not a problem on my end. Thank You!

 

[GrahameUK]

Hi,
I bought my husband a brand new regulator, a Dacor 360, in Dec 1989 and then we had three kids and never dove until this year. I asked him to find it and he just brought it out, still in the box and plastic with the receipt.
Is this still usable as is? With some adjustments? Or not at all?
I'm hoping it's still good because I just looked up the cost of regulators since then and wowza!!! (I paid about $225, I think. No price on receipt because it was a gift!)
Thank you,
Nancy

Hi. The o rings may all have perished and the High Pressure and Low Pressure seats would need to be changed. Also hoses I would not trust. I would keep it in the box as is with receipt as a treasure from the past

 

[happy-diver]

My fifty year old all original ScubaPro regs work fine thanks

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

Hi. The o rings may all have perished and the High Pressure and Low Pressure seats would need to be changed. Also hoses I would not trust. I would keep it in the box as is with receipt as a treasure from the past

Greetings GrahameUK. There are a few professional dive shops that do service and repair these regulators. Although I have worked on mine, finding the parts for these can be challenging. Here are a few sources that have been helpful to me here in the USA. You may find parts and kits from ‘The Scuba Museum’ in Cincinnati if they are in stock. Other parts sources are diver1969s@yahoo.com. Jerrie Struble. You can also contact Stephanie Kevorkian at Tarpoon Diving Center in Hialeah, FL at (305)-887-8726 W F & Saturday. These are US addresses on line. R. Singler is another and there are a handful of others with vast knowledge with Vintage gear which IMHO is still sturdier and more reliable than a lot of what is being sold today. My 360 has been cleaned, overhauled and had parts replaced…(..yes replaced. )Parts are available but not to just anyone. Many parts used in some of todays gear are same parts from back in the day.) proprietary dive shops and mfg won’t tell you that. They tell those with vintage gear that it is dangerous and way outdated for performance. Others that see this reply will offer you their opinions and expertise about this as well. It is worth listening to, then decide how you want to pursue this..

The ‘Best’ of luck to You, my friend. …keep your Pacer 360 and have it serviced. You won’t be disappointed. I prefer my vintage gear over a lot of the ‘plastic’ regulators being sold today. There are some that are great performers such as the newer ScubaPro regulators, again there are others. Please DM me if you need some more detailed info.
Respectfully,
Scott G. Bonser

 

[John C. Ratliff]

Okay, I'm going to say just take it out, put it on a tank, and see whether it leaks. I was successful in finding the Dacor Regs First Stage, which gives parts diagrams for all the Dacor regulators in that time period. It is on the CG-45.com website:

dacor repair manual - volume two 9/93 9470-00 - CG-45​

This is a diaghragm first stage, which means it is less suseptable to O-ring deterioration then a piston regulator (which depends upon a main O-ring to seal the first stage, and not a diaphragm). O-rings deteriorate due to use, loss of lubrication, and exposure to ozone in the air (near electric engines). What this means is that the likelihood of this regulator deteriorating over these years is low.

I have several of the newer Dacor regulators, and have used them without servicing. They are really robust units. If when you put the regulator on the tank, pressurize it, and it does not leak, it is probably good to go out and dive.

Parts for service will be a problem, but Dacor regulators can be bought on E-Bay for very cheap amounts. These E-Bay regulators can be a source of parts.

Dacor 360 Regulator for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Dacor 360 Regulator at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

You can also go to the Vintage Scuba Community Forum and get into discussions with a lot of divers who maintain their own regulators, like me, to learn how to service your Dacor 360 regulator.

General Discussion | Vintage Scuba Diving Community Forum

General chit-chat, questions, comments, hints, tips, and more...

vintagescuba.proboards.com

SeaRat

 

[Scott G. Bonser]

Okay, I'm going to say just take it out, put it on a tank, and see whether it leaks. I was successful in finding the Dacor Regs First Stage, which gives parts diagrams for all the Dacor regulators in that time period. It is on the CG-45.com website:

dacor repair manual - volume two 9/93 9470-00 - CG-45​

This is a diaghragm first stage, which means it is less suseptable to O-ring deterioration then a piston regulator (which depends upon a main O-ring to seal the first stage, and not a diaphragm). O-rings deteriorate due to use, loss of lubrication, and exposure to ozone in the air (near electric engines). What this means is that the likelihood of this regulator deteriorating over these years is low.

I have several of the newer Dacor regulators, and have used them without servicing. They are really robust units. If when you put the regulator on the tank, pressurize it, and it does not leak, it is probably good to go out and dive.

Parts for service will be a problem, but Dacor regulators can be bought on E-Bay for very cheap amounts. These E-Bay regulators can be a source of parts.

Dacor 360 Regulator for sale | eBay

Get the best deals for Dacor 360 Regulator at eBay.com. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items!

www.ebay.com

You can also go to the Vintage Scuba Community Forum and get into discussions with a lot of divers who maintain their own regulators, like me, to learn how to service your Dacor 360 regulator.

General Discussion | Vintage Scuba Diving Community Forum

General chit-chat, questions, comments, hints, tips, and more...

vintagescuba.proboards.com

SeaRat

That is what prompted me to overhaul mine…the dreaded ‘hiss’ . O-rings and diaphragms replaced after a cleaning. It is now back in great shape.

 

[John C. Ratliff]

That is what prompted me to overhaul mine…the dreaded ‘hiss’ . O-rings and diaphragms replaced after a cleaning. It is now back in great shape.

Yes, that's why we test the regulator in order to ensure it is working correctly. Put it on a tank, and see what it does. I have a Dacor regulator (Extreme, I believe) which has never been apart, and is doing just fine right now.

SeaRat