FlyernDiver
Registered
- Messages
- 22
- Reaction score
- 0
First of all thanks for your advice and opinions...
I recently came across a Royal Aqua Master in great shape. I have enjoyed studying the various iterations of double hose regulators and what makes them tick. I am also astonished at the support and availability of parts--in fact I can't decide which parts would be best for me to use.
I would like to make this reg into a ten footer--that is, it looks original from ten feet but requires closer inspection to determine it has been restored to better than new. I am not concerned about intricate details, but would like to preserve as much as possible. I don't want to add a Phoenix nozzle, but would like to use a banjo fitting to get an SPG in the system--at least for the time being--until I grow a little more hair on my uh, chest. It will be dove with.
I am looking for some current and definitive information. Much of what I found on the SB, VDH, and VSS forums is at least a few years old and does not jive with what is in their stores now. Barring total confusion, I will be ordering parts by this weekend at the latest.
Hoses. I have found silicone, EPDM, neoprene, and serviceable old hoses for sale. Could someone please compare and contrast what the qualities of the different materials are? VDH and VSS don't really say much about why one material is preferred over another. I am drawn to the silicone because it is a modern material that should last quite a while and be somewhat more easy to keep clean but am suspicious that there may be drawbacks like them being too flexible and collapsing on each inhalation.
Do the silicone hoses perform as good or better than the other available materials?
Same for the silicone mouthpiece valves, duckbill, and diaphragm. Is performance improved by using silicone parts? What are the downsides other than cost and historical inaccuracy?
Next, I'm quite confused about the state of the banjo fitting market. Much of what I read says I will need to spring for a long yoke which should be okay with 3000psi fills. But, there appears to have at one time been a thin model in development that was supposed to work with most valves out there with the short yoke. Is there a banjo fitting on the market that will work with the "short" yoke?
And last, how do I know if mine is a "short" yoke? The total inside length of mine is about 1 1/2" and from the valve o-ring mating surface to the other side is about 1 1/8". Just by eyeballing pics, I think this is a short model, but I'm not sure enough to order a non-returnable part that I might not need.
Thanks for the help folks.
I recently came across a Royal Aqua Master in great shape. I have enjoyed studying the various iterations of double hose regulators and what makes them tick. I am also astonished at the support and availability of parts--in fact I can't decide which parts would be best for me to use.
I would like to make this reg into a ten footer--that is, it looks original from ten feet but requires closer inspection to determine it has been restored to better than new. I am not concerned about intricate details, but would like to preserve as much as possible. I don't want to add a Phoenix nozzle, but would like to use a banjo fitting to get an SPG in the system--at least for the time being--until I grow a little more hair on my uh, chest. It will be dove with.
I am looking for some current and definitive information. Much of what I found on the SB, VDH, and VSS forums is at least a few years old and does not jive with what is in their stores now. Barring total confusion, I will be ordering parts by this weekend at the latest.
Hoses. I have found silicone, EPDM, neoprene, and serviceable old hoses for sale. Could someone please compare and contrast what the qualities of the different materials are? VDH and VSS don't really say much about why one material is preferred over another. I am drawn to the silicone because it is a modern material that should last quite a while and be somewhat more easy to keep clean but am suspicious that there may be drawbacks like them being too flexible and collapsing on each inhalation.
Do the silicone hoses perform as good or better than the other available materials?
Same for the silicone mouthpiece valves, duckbill, and diaphragm. Is performance improved by using silicone parts? What are the downsides other than cost and historical inaccuracy?
Next, I'm quite confused about the state of the banjo fitting market. Much of what I read says I will need to spring for a long yoke which should be okay with 3000psi fills. But, there appears to have at one time been a thin model in development that was supposed to work with most valves out there with the short yoke. Is there a banjo fitting on the market that will work with the "short" yoke?
And last, how do I know if mine is a "short" yoke? The total inside length of mine is about 1 1/2" and from the valve o-ring mating surface to the other side is about 1 1/8". Just by eyeballing pics, I think this is a short model, but I'm not sure enough to order a non-returnable part that I might not need.
Thanks for the help folks.