Modifying a Scubapro Pilot Aspirator?

[Zung]

Maybe a tiny drop of Aqualseal (McNETT)

 

[halocline]

I used some aquaseal, and I'll take a few dives where I wouldn't mind a mouthful of water. It's definitely a temporary fix. The bummer of it is, I bought the Air 1 just to have parts for my beloved converted pilot, diaphragm being first among those parts.

 

[Couv]

Would you mind leaving them to me in your will?

Just kidding....

Hey Matt,

You're a genius! You not only have managed to stay single, but you have given us non-geniuses an answer to our spouses. Reference Tex F's quandary in other post where he "inherited" all those 109/108s.

"Uh, well Dear, an old friend passed away and left me his regulator collection." :depressed:....."No, not from a diving accident, he died from old age like all DIY regulator technicians."

c

 

[Texfrazer]

Hey Matt,

You're a genius! You not only have managed to stay single, but you have given us non-geniuses an answer to our spouses. Reference Tex F's quandary in other post where he "inherited" all those 109/108s.

"Uh, well Dear, an old friend passed away and left me his regulator collection." :depressed:....."No, not from a diving accident, he died from old age like all DIY regulator technicians."

c

Genius!!!!!!!!!

Brilliant!!!!!!!!

Next time I'm in the area, there's a Ralph & Kacoo's crawfish platter with your name on it (and Matt's too, if he'll join us)!

 

[redacted]

Hey Matt,

You're a genius! You not only have managed to stay single, but you have given us non-geniuses an answer to our spouses. Reference Tex F's quandary in other post where he "inherited" all those 109/108s.

"Uh, well Dear, an old friend passed away and left me his regulator collection." :depressed:....."No, not from a diving accident, he died from old age like all DIY regulator technicians."

c

Not funny. I might have to ship you the half dozen regs I'm not currently using just to see if you can pull it off.

I adjusted the rod on my pilot 1/2 turn but it is still on the hot side. With hard breathing, it seems to be freeflowing a bit during exhale. It is OK if I am taking it easy and not working but I still have to be very careful when removing it from my mouth UW. I'm going to detune it just a bit and then try some temprorary modifications of the aspirator after that.

 

[halocline]

I adjusted the rod on my pilot 1/2 turn but it is still on the hot side. With hard breathing, it seems to be freeflowing a bit during exhale. It is OK if I am taking it easy and not working but I still have to be very careful when removing it from my mouth UW. I'm going to detune it just a bit and then try some temprorary modifications of the aspirator after that.

Gee, I don't know, mine seems to work fine. You want me to have a look at yours, see if I can get it working?

 

[Couv]

The genius is getting a bit cocky.

 

[redacted]

Update:

I decided to go back in and take a good look at the aspirator that effects the venturi effects. Sure enough, it looks like someone filed a bit off one side of the aspirator opening which would increase the venturi effects. I'm a bit hesitant to try to permanently glue something to the aspirator to reduce the opening so I added a thin (1/16th inch wide) zip tie around the circumference of the aspirator. Pressed down along the lower rim, it extends just slightly into the opening. The result (at the bench) is the reg still freeflows when you purge it with the switch in the dive position but it is noticeably non-violent and stop easily when I cover the mouthpiece. I think this is going to work at least until I can find a replacement aspirator. I think I have it tight enough where it should not ride up and block more of the opening. And even if it does, it will reduce or eliminate the venture effect but should still breath OK. I won't get to dive it until next week.

BTW, after looking more closely at the "upgraded" pilot (Air 1) aspirator I decided the D-series aspirator will not work in its place. Although it is probably the right diameter, the designs of the top of the 2 aspirators are quite different and not compatible.

 

[halocline]

Have you tried fitting the venturi adjust "flap" from a D series aspirator onto your pilot? I wonder if it would simply snap in place like it does on the D series part. It almost seems too easy.

I have an Air 1 aspirator you can use if you want to try it on your upcoming trip.

 

[redacted]

Have you tried fitting the venturi adjust "flap" from a D series aspirator onto your pilot? I wonder if it would simply snap in place like it does on the D series part. It almost seems too easy.

I have an Air 1 aspirator you can use if you want to try it on your upcoming trip.

I looked at the D-series aspirator and they are different (Air 1 has an o-ring at the top). Considered the hybrid but didn't want to waste the D-300 unnecessarily and the zip tie seems to work great. Reg may still need a very slight detuning but no more violent freeflows. Thanks