Just got 2 "New" Double-Hose Regs!!

[Nemrod]

I noticed the same thing about the hoses of the new Mistral and that is what I have been telling you--they are very bouyant and noticeably so and they do affect your trim a bit--this does not happen with the "old" style hoses.

N

 

[victor]

aside from the nostalgia factor (which is cool, I guess) - why would someone choose to dive with one of these types of regs in, you know, this century?

I'm not being provocative - I'm just not wired to understand this.

Thanks

---
Ken

Ken
Think photographer
Bubbles from a second stage can be a real problem when you are trying to take a photo.
The best solution would be a rebreather but a twin hose is an option.

They are a pain in other ways though.

 

[Luis H]

Ken
Think photographer
Bubbles from a second stage can be a real problem when you are trying to take a photo.
The best solution would be a rebreather but a twin hose is an option.

They are a pain in other ways though.

The only inconvenience with a double hose is the extra maintenance required due to the hoses. The inlet hose (the right hose) for the most part stays dry, but the outlet will get totally wet. The best maintenance is to disconnect the hoses after a week end of diving, rinse then and let them hang to dry. That is the reason I use thumb screws on my hose clamps on the regulator end (see picture below).

Occasionally I also disconnect the mouthpiece clamps and make sure the check valves in the mouthpiece are clean and dry.

I also added a thumb screw on the main body clamp to occasional check that the main dry chamber is clean and dry. By just checking the main chamber on occasion (to check that water didn’t get back past the mouthpiece valves) I avoid doing an overhaul but once every several years.

The flip side is that a vintage double hose is more reliable than a single hose; considerably less points of failure and environmentally sealed first and second stage (granted most single hose are fairly reliable).

Here is part of my Royal family:

The round label Royal Aqua Master in the bottom I have owned since I was a kid in 1971 (it has a hookah port adapter, but the original style nozzle). The two top ones are Phoenix Royal Aqua Master. The one with the yellow octopus hose is the experimental with n LP ports; the other is the first pre-production unit.

 

[photohikedive]

awesome pics. I want one (reg, not picture)

 

[Nemrod]

Phoenix Aqua Master with it's LP and HP ports ahowing typical hose routing. Note the Phoenix Bird on the knob face. You can also see the HP adapter on the hookah but it is not being used here--plugged.

Prior to the Phoenix in order to accomodate all of the hoses one would have to use a splitter adapter from the hookah port and a banjo adapter for the SPG.

Even on the Phoenix I often still use the hookak LP port for my octapus with an adapted/modified HP 90 degree swivel (yes HP heavy duty 90 degree swivel) because it puts my preferred 40 inch (more or less) octapus hose under my arm and then up to a bungee necklace at my neck.

Both of the above regulators are Royal Aqua Masters, two of several I own.

N

 

[Gilldiver]

If I get this right the Phoenix nozzle will make any USD Aqua Master into the Royal Aqua Master with the additional benifit of the LP and HP ports.

Am I right or totaly confused?


I have played around with a DACOR R-4 that I'v had for a while, how much better should the Aqua Master/Royal Aqua Master/Phoenix Aqua Master be?

Pete

 

[Nemrod]

LOL, the Dacor, at least all of them I have used is like comparing a Yugo to a Mercedes. I have never used a Dacor that breathed well, in fact, they are uniformly horrid. If all double hosers breathed like the Royal Aqua Master they probably would still be around.

Yes, the Phoenix, a limited production upgraded nozzle, will convert any DA Aqua Master or Royal Aqua Master or possibly Voit Navy to an improved Royal with LP and HP ports and other benifits.

I suspect when the few remaining nozzles are gone it might be several months before they are available again or even longer. I have no reason to say that other than an old saying, a bird in hand is worth three in the bush, or something like that--lol.

It is fun/rewarding to collect old regulators but for actual diving purposes in the modern world, only the Aqua Masters and some Voits are actually capable and suitable. That is an opinion from an eclectiic diver who is not really a collector. Not everyone or even anyone will agree, it is my opinion. I am not familiar with all double hose regulators or some Europeon models so I only know what I know --if you follow that.

What do I mean by eclectic diver? I mean that I pick and choose across the span of time those pieces of equipment that suit me and my purpose and when it comes to regulators, more often than not, that is a Royal Aqua Master, Jet Fins, wing and BP etc.

Disclaimer: I am possibly insane, I know nothing, scuba is a dangerous sport that will kill you especially if you follow my advice. N

 

[Gilldiver]

LOL, the Dacor, at least all of them I have used is like comparing a Yugo to a Mercedes. I have never used a Dacor that breathed well, in fact, they are uniformly horrid. If all double hosers breathed like the Royal Aqua Master they probably would still be around. N

That must be why I got it for free.

OK, you've convinced me, now where to dig up a Aqua Master or Royal?

I know of one old timer who had 3 or 4 milk crates of double hose regs in his basement a few years ago - time to look him up and go see!

 

[Luis H]

That must be why I got it for free.

OK, you've convinced me, now where to dig up a Aqua Master or Royal?

I know of one old timer who had 3 or 4 milk crates of double hose regs in his basement a few years ago - time to look him up and go see!

Here is an alternative:

http://www.vintagedoublehose.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=134

Bryan at VDH, often has totally rebuilt regulators and some like this one includes the Phoenix conversion. At first the price may seam expensive, but if you add all the components it really is a pretty good deal. And you avoid the risk of not knowing the condition of what you are getting (like buying a double hose from eBay, etc.).

What I mean by all the components:
• An original Aqua Master
• Servicing and reconditioning the original regulator
• In this case re-chroming all the major metal parts of the original regulator
• All the components in one of Bryan’s service kits (new gaskets, seats, etc.)
• New band clamp and duckbill
• New reproduction diaphragm
• The Phoenix first stage


It is ready to dive.
IMO the only thing you loose is the fun of building it yourself, which to me that is part of the fun.



On the other hand, please make sure that the regulators from that old timer friend of yours don’t go to waist. There is a growing market for decent US Divers double hose regulators.

 

[james croft]

Luis
I like your thumb screws on your hose clamps. Is there a source for them or did you make them?