Well Pardon Me - the USD 1085 appreciation

[lowwall]

Last year I found a military reseller with a batch of these for $25 each on a lesser known auction site, brand new and with the side tuning port. Only bought one for personal use, should have bought the lot...

Nice score. What's the site?

 

[Kupu]

Nice score. What's the site?

Gotoauction. It was just a lucky day to stumble onto the Conshelf seller.

 

[Nemrod]

A USD/AL letter dated August 28, 1985 states that the optimum IP for the 1085-XX is 140 psi +/- 5 psi for the sport diving environment. It goes on to say that at depths below 100 feet second stage performance is directly affected by the IP setting. It also states that the acceptable working pressure range for the Conshelf first stage is 130 to 160 psi. This infers to me that one can set the lever height and then adjust IP upward until the regulator free flows and then back the IP down, not to exceed 160 psi IP, to achieve maximum performance at depths exceeding 100 feet.

This letter does not address the Supreme model as the IP is generally set lower for cold water reduced icing potential. Per the manuals that is generally less than 130 psi (125 +/- 5 psi). Since I try not to dive in cold water I have generally set the IP to 145 psi (even to 150 psi) for my 1085 second stages. That generally results in a cracking force of about 1.0 to 1.2 inches of water. The acceptable range is .6 to 1.5 inches. I suppose at 160 psi that .6 inches might be achievable but would it be stable? I have found that much above the 145 psi the 1085 becomes somewhat unstable or jumpy for lack of a better term.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Aqua Lung Military Conshelf XIV Regulator Authorized For Military Use AMU#1.4.9

The Aqua Lung Military Conshelf XIV Regulator is a staple in the diving community. The years in service are a testament to its durability. The Balanced diaphragm first stage has 4 lp ports and 1 hp port arranged radially.

www.americandivingsupply.com

I’m still trying to find info on where they are made, an address or something but I’m coming up empty. I saw a recent video of them being machined in a plant in the US by regular Americans making a living wage but I can’t find that either. I’ll keep looking.

 

[buddhasummer]

Boo hoo

 

[axxel57]

I do not have the 2022 commercial and military catalog but the 1085 Cosnhelf 14 was still listed in the 2019 catalog, the latest I have.

As to the screw on tee early versions, personally, I would not dive with them except for exhibition purposes or pool duty as the WOB is much too high due to the restrictive small exhaust valve. The versions beginning circa 1973 with the slip on exhaust tee and large 30mm exhaust valve are superb then and now.

James

2019 was the last year with the Conshelf 14 in the Spare Parts Catalog........

 

[buddhasummer]

2019 was the last year with the Conshelf 14 in the Spare Parts Catalog........

Is it still available to "military"? Cheers.

 

[SubseaSports]

Fan here.
I will admit though that I hate the older wide exhaust t
Easy fix. I cut mine when used as an octo or bailout 2nd.

 

[buddhasummer]

Fan here.
I will admit though that I hate the older wide exhaust t
Easy fix. I cut mine when used as an octo or bailout 2nd.
View attachment 746072

 

[Couv]

I've refinished a few plastic/fantastic regulator with a very labor intensive process requiring multi grit emery cloth, polishing, etc. Usually it's not been worth the effort.

I invite @buddhasummer and @Nemrod to post a tutorial in the DIY on how to "Flame Away" some of the effort involved. (or other methods)

Cheers,

c