splitter?

[JahJahwarrior]

I have an old US Divers Conshelf XII reg set, first and second stages. Just got it overhauled. Anyways, I bought a Scubapro R390 as a second stage (might end up using the Conshelf as the octo....donate what's in my mouth, since the R390 is octo yellow and all). The Conshelf has one HP port and two LP ports. My LDS had one splitter thing for something like $45. I need that to hook up two second stages and a BC.....but $45??? It's a piece of metal for crying out loud! It doesn't even have to hold against more than what, 500 psi? I think less even than that. I will pretty much refuse to pay that much money for that little thing.

My question then is, what should I do? I'd like to dive with an octo, but I don't need to and it's not that high on my priority list. If it's gonna cost me that much more to get this setup with an octo, then I won't. You can shout and yell all you want that I shouldn't put a price limit on safety but I really don't want to hear it. If my safety is that important to you, then why don't you buy me the stuff. Besides, I don't even know how well the first stage could support two divers at once, it might be way safer to buddy breathe. Besides, I can breathe off of the BC, I even put a snorkel mouthpiece on the inflator hose so I can hold it in my mouth without having to make sure my lips are contacting it. That's how I have been diving.

I think I could almost buy a new first stage for $50, used. I wouldn't need the conshelf then, maybe someone would trade a decen first stage for this one?

 

[spectrum]

Sounds a little high but between S&H and immediate availability it's not unreasonable.

http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/AQUAA53.html
This is a cross fitting, add a LP plug.

Remember this is "life support" not small engine repair.

Pete

 

[JahJahwarrior]

My reg is life support, this thing is simply overpriced.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but this air that this thing must contain is at or around 150 psi, right? No more than 500, correct? At most, this thing needs to hve a burst rating to 1500 psi, possible only 800 psi. I'd think I could build something either with a solid block of metal (I have access to a milling machine) or from parts from home depot with burst ratings high enough to be safe for much less. I'd build it out of brass, isn't this thing just coated brass?

My main question is, should I get rid of this first stage I have now and try to find something else for around $50-60 that has more LP ports? I'd think I could possible trade straight up or with a little cash for a different first stage.

thanks for finding that link though, I couldn't find this part online in 20 minutes of searching

[edit] I have my lifesupport. My life support is great, just serviced and works fine. What is in question is whether or not I want to shell out $45 becuase my buddy wasn't watching his air. If he had a viable problem, that's one thing, but if he just wasn't watching and wanted to share air, well, really, I'm not teaching him to pay attention by giving him my air. At best, I should give him my air but for every 5 mintues he uses it he has to pay for another tank fill for me. Ie: 5 minute ascent and a 5 minute safety stop, next two airfills are on him. Hopefully he'll learn to watch his airguage. If I forget and use his air, same thing. I'd rather perfect a skill (buddy breathing) and become a better diver than pay $45 to stay the same and to help a lazy buddy out. The only reason I would want to pay the $45 is if my buddy had a serious problem, such as his tank blew up on his back at 80 feet, and needed air. Unless he did something stupid to make it blow up, then heck, there are consequences to being reckless 80 feet under! I just wanted to point out that it's not my life support we are talking about, it's my buddies. Granted, if he pulls my reg out of my mouth and won't give it back, he's stolen my life support and I would be better off for having bought the splitter. In that case though, he has encroached on me and stolen something of mine, the laws of nature no longer protect his liberty and I'll tear it from his mouth with as much force as I need to. I'll take a breath and give it back, and repeat if he still won't let me take it every once in a while

 

[spectrum]

Well figure cost to manufacture, finishing it well enough to take a nice plating job. overhead and profit. Then get it to the seller with maybe a stop inbetween each making a cut and there you go. Being what it is there is probably a litigation adder to boot. That brings up the other factor, it's a low volume item so there is little economy of scale.

Yes it's just machined brass and while it may be a specific alloy I don't believe it is anything outrageous in cost. I have toolroom experience and access too but I'd think twice. You won't find fittings with those threads and sealing faces at home cheapo.

Your existing regulator (fresh of a major rebuild as I recall) and some $$ may make this a good time to trade. With the fitting you will be adding failure points and the routings may not be pretty.

Pete

 

[Stu S.]

Until recently, I was using a 1977 Healthways regulator that I owned since new. I bought the Genesis Sidekick octo-inflator unit due to having only two LP ports. It worked for me. You could also probably find the 2 for 1 item for less with a bit of shopping.

Happy diving!

 

[JahJahwarrior]

It would not be worth my time to make, you are correct. Plus, I don't know if I'd dive with my first try I'd want to make a few before I'd dive with one. I just don't see how this thing is any more than $30 or so. LP has them at a better price, but shipping would be several dollars.


Well then, I might go ahead and put up pictures of the thing here and see if anyone does want to trade. I like the reg, but I do want an octo. I really do. I just don't want to pay $40 for a part like that when I only paid $30 for the octo (Scubapro R380. yeah, only $30 ).

 

[divinginn]

i have seen the splitters on e bay for about 15 dollars,that conshelf is a sweet reg,breathe off that metal second for a few dives and i bet the 380 stays the backup.

 

[james croft]

I dive a bunch of old Conshelfs, such as 6's 12's 14's ,22's, etc Put the octopus on the other LP port and orally inflate your bc. Or get an AIR 2 power inflator with the built in reg. Get an Ebay splitter for a lot less than 45 bucks. Or get a first stage with an additional port on ebay for a lot less than 45 bucks. Conshelfs will not let you down and will support two divers sucking air out of them with no problem.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Conshelfs will not let you down and will support two divers sucking air out of them with no problem.

That's good to know, I was worried it wouldn't work well with two people breathing on it. Makes me less hesitant to get a splitter on it.