This is the 5th generation of homebuild Kiss style rebreather I am in the process of finishing. Some final machining steps and tig welding left, but it is starting to take shape.
Based roughly on Meg dimensions, but using PVC as the can (there are two, one is 14 inches long and the second is 16 inches long with an ID of just under 6"), and T6061 as the head. It will hold a min of 6 lbs in the axial scrubber, and 7 to 8 in the radial - the radial is just a rendering on paper right know but will be roughly similar in design to the one Skipbreather made for the meg with a couple of changes in the sorb bed tensioning mechanism and materials. If the axial bed is too long and exhibits high WOB I will part a couple of inches off the length of the scrubber can.
I did the machining on the PVC, and the rough machining on the aluminum head, but after ruining about $700 in 6061 trying to machine the o-ring grooves on 3 heads - they start out at 7" solid rod and are 3 inches tall before machining (it is a piece of cake to machine oring grooves in delrin or pvc, but I can't for the life of me machine oring grooves in aluminium without galling), I had a machine shop do the final steps. I still have to enlarge the inhale port on the head as the diameter was machined a little to small by me. Very nervous about messing up a 4th head
I still have to bore out the PVC base a few inches for a water trap.
Unit will use a 3rd generation Kiss valve, and the Buddy inspiration over the shoulder counterlungs that have been gathering dust in my basement for the last year or so, together with Narked @ 90's awesome 02 remote add which will work in conjunction with the Kiss valve.
I have some new Nielsen clamps for the head of the can, and the base will be bonded in with the appropriate PVC glue.
Plans are to use a type 3 hard coat anodizing on the head, and truck bed liner on the can to protect the fragile pvc base.
Still have to Tig the inhale and exhale tubes on the head, and I am not sure if I will machine threads first so it can accept Buddy inspiration connectors as that is the DSV and hoses I am going to use on this new beast.
The next step is to machine a sensor plate to hold the sensors and a spring to exert some downforce on the scrubber bed. Exhale tube is machined as are top and bottom plates for the axial scrubber bed - just can't locate them right now as a result of a move and too many unpacked boxes.
I also have to spend a few minutes drilling and tapping the head for cable gland threads for the Mark Munro PPO2 board I will use. If the rig works well I will likely go with a shearwater or subsea systems setup.
My plan is for the entire loop and can to come in under 22 LBS once complete - may be wishful thinking and I may take a 1/8 inch or so off the OD of the entire lenght of the can and head to reduce weight if it comes in too heavy.
Any suggestions for improvements, modifications and / or constructive criticism is welcome, especially before the final machinng and welding is done
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Pics follow -sorry for poor quality I am a terrible photographer: