QD on a BC hose?

[Prevailer]

If someone is aware of a thread for this, let me know -- found some similar, but not exactly.

I am wondering about the wisdom of installing quick disconnects on the first stage end of the BC hose on all the family rigs. It would "standardize" our equipment, from those of us using varius brands of Air2's (Seaquest, Atomic) or octos with an SPG. Simply pop-off the hose, leave the hose to travel with the BC, and attach any of the various reg setups to said hose. Similar to magic, and much cheaper than me having to rebuy all new octos or something. (Or fight the battles to win over converts.)

I have seen some available, but don't know about their potential for failure, etc.

Anyone tried this? Or had significant experience with QD's and be willing to provide some advice?

 

[Packhorse]

STandard BC style QD's will not flow as well as SS1 or Air 2 QD's.
I personally think it would be a step in the wrong direction.
If you want a standard familly reg set up then either all get SS1's or all use octis.

 

[redrover]

While I’m a big fan of the Atomic SS1 it is a somewhat unique size issue with connection. How much I don’t know really but mine needs specific item to connect. I’m not explaining this very well…my impression is the place the SS connects is not the same diameter across the board of brands. It came with 3 different ones for appropriate corrugated hose.
Also I looked at the quacker or horn thingies and found (at the time) my LDS did not have one that would connect to my Atomic and were compatible with other brands.
I think you ought to check out that aspect if you’ve got multiple brands and thinking one size fits all for swapping.

 

[DA Aquamaster]

If I understand you correctly you want to use a QD to make any first stage quickly compatible with either an SS1 or a standardinflator depending on the preferences of the BC user? I am not clear if this is a family shares regs thing or a suggested rental thing.

I know Trident makes a small adapter that allows a standard inflator to be installed in an Air 2 hose allowing a reg set up for an air 2 to be easilt used with a BC set up for a standard inflator. I use one on my test bench to run the IP gauge off either hose.

The SS1 uses a slightly different connection along the same proprietary and misquided logic that used to be the case with BC quick disconnects back in the 70's and 80's when every brand had a different QD fitting (talk about a royal PITA). Consequently I am not sure if an SS1 to inflator QD fitting exists as they are much less common compared to the Air 2.

QD fittings are often used for full face masks, so they are out there, but in general the lenght required for a first stage mounted QD limits the turning radius for the hose to make the beneds required coming off many regulators and puts less than desreable stress on the hose. An adapter on the 2nd stage end of the hose works better.

Since the Air 2 fitting just screws into the end of any low pressure regulator hose, it offers a very wide range of hose lenght options so the LP hose to Air 2 to BC QD fitting adapter approach makes more sense to me - you just have to switch from the SS1 tio the Air 2 and buy an adapter to be able to do what you want to do.

 

[Prevailer]

If I understand you correctly you want to use a QD to make any first stage quickly compatible with either an SS1 or a standardinflator depending on the preferences of the BC user? I am not clear if this is a family shares regs thing or a suggested rental thing.

Exactly. This will allow using/trying out other reg setups (Aqualung, Atomic, Apeks currently), fit different BC's for growth and such, and allow usage of some of the equipment when diving with friends who do not own entire rigs. This configuration would also provide redundancy when some equipment is in for service. Additionally, it would provide insurance when diving away from home in that the rigs are "standardized", as it were, and can be made to work more easily if problems arise with equipment (using a rented reg or BC setup).

I know Trident makes a small adapter that allows a standard inflator to be installed in an Air 2 hose allowing a reg set up for an air 2 to be easilt used with a BC set up for a standard inflator. I use one on my test bench to run the IP gauge off either hose.

QD fittings are often used for full face masks, so they are out there, but in general the lenght required for a first stage mounted QD limits the turning radius for the hose to make the beneds required coming off many regulators and puts less than desreable stress on the hose. An adapter on the 2nd stage end of the hose works better.

Since the Air 2 fitting just screws into the end of any low pressure regulator hose, it offers a very wide range of hose lenght options so the LP hose to Air 2 to BC QD fitting adapter approach makes more sense to me - you just have to switch from the SS1 tio the Air 2 and buy an adapter to be able to do what you want to do.

Sounds like my only real option is sell the Atomic and move to Air 2's and use their fittings on the BC end, while the rest of us use standard fittings with octos. Bummer.

 

[Prevailer]

I think you ought to check out that aspect if you’ve got multiple brands and thinking one size fits all for swapping.

Yeah, that is the problem I am running into. Would love to standardize somehow.

 

[Prevailer]

Anyone know if there is talk of manufacturers standardizing the inflator octo connectors?

 

[Cleavitt]

One way you could standardize is to install Atomic SS1 hoses on all the first stages. Then use this adapter between the SS1 hose and a standard power inflator...

"This Adapter converts any Tusa Duo Air Inflator Hose (or Atomic SS1) to a Standard Quick Disconnect Inflator Hose."

Inflator Adapter - Tusa DuoAir Male to Standard Female

They have a similar adapter for SeaQuest hoses. At least all of the people with power inflators would be good to go.

 

[Cleavitt]

Better yet, you could standardize the other way.

Standard inflator hose to SeaQuest...
Inflator Adapter - Standard Inflator Male to Oceanic Air XS Female

Standard inflator hose to Atomic...
Inflator Adapter - Standard Inflator Male to Tusa DuoAir Female

However, I would make sure you try breathing off the Octo/Inflator combo units on a deep dive to ensure the adapters don't restrict airflow (due to the smaller standard inflator connection). You don't want to find out that they can't deliver enough air at depth during a real emergency.

 

[Prevailer]

Thanks Cleavitt...I think it will be worth the try.