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silent running · 20th March 2008, 03:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by Bellhemen)

I've been studying them, reading all the posts on this
and other sites. I have extensive diving background.
That said, I'm wondering how well does a converted
Drager work? Specifically compared to a Kiss Sport.

I like to tinker with things and can't leave anything
alone. If I had a KS I'd build pod protectors and
incorporate some sort of a stand and more then
likely change out the DSV. Cost wise I can modify
a drager to full CCR with all the options I'd want
for alot less than the cost of used Kiss Sport (I
think).

So back to my question, does the Drager CCR work
well? Bouyancy, trim etc. Or is the a waste of time,
money and effort?

I want a rebreather for mostly recreational depths,
but with the ability to do dives to 300'. And most
importantly, be comfortable.

Hello Bellhemen,

First, you should be aware that a Sport Kiss is not designed to be used for deep-300ft-dives.

A friend of mine has converted several Dolphin and Atlantis units to CCR and is very happy with them. I have done many dives with him using these and he never had any problems. But his most recent conversion was to a Ray which he liked better for it's smaller size and slightly easier work of breathing. The only disadvantage of the Ray is the smaller size of the scrubber compared to the Dolphin, which may not be such a big deal if your dives are not too long.

With both Drager CCR conversions my friend used 3 sensors, 3 Kiss displays and regular, depth compensating 1st stages with a needle valve for the O2 delivery. They were the combination 1st stage/tank valve made by Apollo if I remember correctly. These and the diluent side were also fitted with the 1st stage/valve combo on small, 1 ltr tanks which were slipped into the Dolphin side weight pockets, with the stock nitrox cylinder slung underneathe in the stock position for open circuit bail out. I think he did a similar thing with the Ray, haven't seen that one yet. It's a very compact and simple system and of course, it's cheap too.

I dived a Dolphin SCR for several years before I got an ECCR and I think it has better work of breathing than the Classic Kiss I tried for a few hours. This is probably due to the fact that the counter-lungs are mounted up high and have only a thin pc of fabric between them and the diver's body which keeps them as close to your chest cavity/lungs as possible and allows the lungs to conform to the shape of your back. The CK and SK both have their counter-lungs inside a metal housing and further away from the body than the Dolphin.

I think the Dolphin design is pretty well thought out and the only thing I didn't like about was the finicky demand valve addition which would now be connected to the diluent. But there is some adjustability and it can/probably should be backed up by adding a diluent manual add button like the one you would have on the O2 side.

If I remember correctly, the entire conversion was just under $1500US
+ the cost of the used SCR, that was about 5 years ago. If you wan't more info, check the Diveoz rebeather forum as this conversion was developed by somebody on there. There were also some pictures and and a description floating around somewhere else on the net, so google it. Happy trails, -Andy

20th March 2008, 03:50	#3 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,832	Re: Drager CCR vs. Other Rebreathers Quote: (Originally Posted by Bellhemen) I've been studying them, reading all the posts on this and other sites. I have extensive diving background. That said, I'm wondering how well does a converted Drager work? Specifically compared to a Kiss Sport. I like to tinker with things and can't leave anything alone. If I had a KS I'd build pod protectors and incorporate some sort of a stand and more then likely change out the DSV. Cost wise I can modify a drager to full CCR with all the options I'd want for alot less than the cost of used Kiss Sport (I think). So back to my question, does the Drager CCR work well? Bouyancy, trim etc. Or is the a waste of time, money and effort? I want a rebreather for mostly recreational depths, but with the ability to do dives to 300'. And most importantly, be comfortable. Hello Bellhemen, First, you should be aware that a Sport Kiss is not designed to be used for deep-300ft-dives. A friend of mine has converted several Dolphin and Atlantis units to CCR and is very happy with them. I have done many dives with him using these and he never had any problems. But his most recent conversion was to a Ray which he liked better for it's smaller size and slightly easier work of breathing. The only disadvantage of the Ray is the smaller size of the scrubber compared to the Dolphin, which may not be such a big deal if your dives are not too long. With both Drager CCR conversions my friend used 3 sensors, 3 Kiss displays and regular, depth compensating 1st stages with a needle valve for the O2 delivery. They were the combination 1st stage/tank valve made by Apollo if I remember correctly. These and the diluent side were also fitted with the 1st stage/valve combo on small, 1 ltr tanks which were slipped into the Dolphin side weight pockets, with the stock nitrox cylinder slung underneathe in the stock position for open circuit bail out. I think he did a similar thing with the Ray, haven't seen that one yet. It's a very compact and simple system and of course, it's cheap too. I dived a Dolphin SCR for several years before I got an ECCR and I think it has better work of breathing than the Classic Kiss I tried for a few hours. This is probably due to the fact that the counter-lungs are mounted up high and have only a thin pc of fabric between them and the diver's body which keeps them as close to your chest cavity/lungs as possible and allows the lungs to conform to the shape of your back. The CK and SK both have their counter-lungs inside a metal housing and further away from the body than the Dolphin. I think the Dolphin design is pretty well thought out and the only thing I didn't like about was the finicky demand valve addition which would now be connected to the diluent. But there is some adjustability and it can/probably should be backed up by adding a diluent manual add button like the one you would have on the O2 side. If I remember correctly, the entire conversion was just under $1500US + the cost of the used SCR, that was about 5 years ago. If you wan't more info, check the Diveoz rebeather forum as this conversion was developed by somebody on there. There were also some pictures and and a description floating around somewhere else on the net, so google it. Happy trails, -Andy Last edited by silent running : 20th March 2008 at 03:52.
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