Need help identifying Dacor 1st Stage

[Jardine]

Can anybody help me identify this Dacor 1st stage? I got it from a buddy and don't know the history behind it. It's probably at least 15-20 yrs old and came with a metal Dacor Pacer 2nd stage. The only markings on it are "Dacor" and "HP". The swivel sits on top and there are two HP ports on each side of the body. I've been told that since Mares bought out Dacor, the older models are harder to get parts for. Is this true? Would this reg be hard to get parts for?

Thanks,

Jardine

 

[widget]

I am not that familiar with the old Dacor first stages, although I had an old metal Pacer and an old Aero (plastic) 2nd stage in my past.

I may be wrong but it looks like one of the early diaghram drive 1st stages Dacor brought to market. Dacor mixed first and second stages in that you could buy a balanced piston, or a diaghram drive first stage with the metal Pacer 2nd stage, although I only ever saw the Aero with an unbalanced piston 1st stage.

As for parts, I do think you may have difficulty in sourcing them, this reg is probably mid 80s manufacture, so 20-25 years old at least. You may be able to find a few generic parts which may fit or mix and match parts from regulator specialists, but, from my experience anyway, I dont think you are likely to be buying it over the counter from Mares.

A nice bit of diving history though, and looks to be quite clean. I would just keep it as a bit of memorabilia.

 

[knotical]

Looks like a Dacor Pacer 950 or 900.

 

[diversteve]

Looks like a Dacor Pacer 950 or 900.

That's what I thought also. I used to own one.

 

[Diver Lori]

My brother has a Dacor Pacer from the late 70's. He was told by our shop owner that he can no longer get parts, and what he was able to scrounge is gone. And that's the end of the road here, because he was the go-to guy in town for scrounging up the stuff for Pacers.

 

[TavernierBob]

The regulator you've pictured is either a Pacer XL 900 or 950 (various models), depending on the interior configuration. The 900's were built between 1979 and 1984. The 950's were produced between 1982 and 1986. As with most Pacer series Dacor regulators they were built to last and with the proper service continue to perform well. I specialize in Dacor service as well as other brands of earlier model regulators and still have an adequate supply of parts that are either factory parts or to exact factory specs. If you need any more information on this or other Dacor regulators you can reach me at Welcome To ScubaRepairExpress.com - Your one-stop scuba repair shop - Home of the Scuba Wizard. or you can PM me here.

 

[Jardine]

So what kind of 1st stage would the 900 or 950 be? Diaprahm, balanced diaphram, piston, balanced piston, environmentally sealed, or what? Thanks guys for the responses. Bob, I'll be giving you a call. When I heard the Dacor parts were going to be hard to find, I thought about trying to sell the set and buying something more easily servicable. If I can get it serviced okay, I think I just might keep it. It's a good looking reg and there's something about the nostalgia part of it too.

 

[TavernierBob]

Both the 900 and 950 are balanced diaphragms. Neither are environmentally protected but as long as they're serviced with the proper parts and tuned they work well. They can be converted to DIN and I believe I have conversion kits. Many of the older model regs from several manufacturers used only a 3/8" port for both high and low pressures so you need to be careful that you only use the proper spec hoses for the ports. If you don't have the right size hose there are sizing adapters that are available you can use.
If you want to check the basic condition of your reg you can get an Intermediate Pressure gauge and check that the IP on the first stage is 140psi. If it's been tuned correctly there will be no deviation of the IP but if it locks up +/- 5 psi it's generally usable. There should be no drift or increase in the IP once it locks up. Another good test is to hook it up to a tank and submerge it and purge the 2nd stage 20-30 times while checking for any leaks. Once you've found none then re-check the IP and it should still be at the original setting. If you find any deviations or leaks then it would be a good idea to have it serviced. Also, check the condition of the filter. If there's any discoloration in that it would be a good idea to have it checked even if everything else seems to be okay. If you have any other questions, drop me a line.

 

[Jardine]

Bob, I tried giving you a call on the number on your website that you listed. No one answered. I didn't bother to leave a message. I did find out my reg is a 900. It has it on the yoke finger screw decal. I didn't see that before till I searched for pictures online today. The questions I have are:

1) How much would the parts cost for a full service on the 1st and 2nd stage? I saw your hourly rate - $20. How much time would the average service take?

2) When I hook the reg up to a tank and turn on the air, both seconds stages leak. I suspected the IP was too high and I hooked up a gauge and found it to be about a steady 200 PSI. How hard is the IP to adjust? I haven't been able to find any literature on it yet.

3) How big is your supply of the factory spec parts? Steady supply for many years to come? I was planning on having my son use this reg but if there wont be many more parts for future maintenence, maybe I should go a different route. If there is plenty of supply, I think I'd like to send it to you to service.

Thanks,

Jardine

 

[TavernierBob]

Jardine,
I thought that might have been you that called. I tried returning the call but got the switchboard at your office. The best thing is to leave a message and I'll get back to you. Where I live the cell servcie isn't the best but I do get my messages and will return them immediately.
As to the reg...If the IP is 200 you won't be able to adjust it out. I would guess that the HP seat may be shot and needs replacement. When both 2nd's free flow there's usually a problem with the 1st stage that needs to be taken care of. There are no more critical parts being made for any of the Dacor early models. I have a source that supplies factory spec o-rings so that's not a problem and I've stockpiled a significant supply of critical parts for service and should last for quite some time. I have upgrade parts, HP seats and most parts that are prone to failure or damage so I'll be working on these regs for quite some time. Normally when you send in a complete system the labor runs about $60 for the whole thing. Parts are inspected and replaced on an as needed basis. If you don't abuse the reg and have it checked periodically, every 50-75 dives or every other year, if you don't do that much diving, the parts normally don't run that much. If the reg hasn't been serviced for quite some time, has been abused, or someone worked on it that didn't have the specs and parts could result in the initial service running a little more as I only replace "factory spec" parts in any brand I work on.
I just overhauled a 950 and my estimate was a little more than I initially quoted due to 2 hoses having to be replaced....they're only allowed to have 2 holes in them....one in each end....and when I'm done I do a complete diagnostic under water to make sure nothing is leaking. When I send it back it will work the way it was designed.
If you want to try and give me another call and leave a number that I can reach you at I'll be happy to give you a call back and we can talk about it.