Stuffing A "71" - Suggestions?

Mossyback

Here's the current state of my IDA-71. I've managed to get a 1.83 L Worthington steel tank inside for my diluent and have done some re-plumbing. The Apeks DS4 sits outside and it's plumbed into the ADV side of the CL. The O2 feeds into the left connection of the CL after going to the KISS valve which I've laid across the CL in the photo. I've replaced the Russian hoses with Draeger Rays.

I need some suggestions. Having put it all together, it need improvements so that I can easily take it apart. As you can see I've taken the KISS set-up through the hole in the top left of the case after removing the cover. Now I can't bring it back through the hole. It's obvious that I need some quick disconnects in my various hoses. The ones that my local shop sells are enormous! Can someone give me a part number(s) for small ones, perhaps from McMaster-Carr?

I'm currently using the original O2 HP - SPG. My local shop has been able to cut off and re-use the fittings on my LP hoses but they say they can't do the same for the HP ones. What have you folks done about your HP - SPG?

I'm going to put Dave's O2 sensor set-up into the right side of the CL. I'm working on that now.

One final point. Having a zipper in the CL has really worked out well. It speeds up drying and makes checking internal hoses and disinfecting extremely easy.

Any comments or suggestions are welcome.

Hank

Attached Images

IDA-71.jpg (46.8 KB, 299 views)

__________________
"Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."

Dave Sutton

Use BC quick connects for your 02 feed line. Easy and cheap. The nipples are available in 1/8 or 1/4 NP and you use the snap-coupling side on the feed hose. make up a flowmeter and a pressure gauge with the same fittings and you can snap them on for adjustments and tests. Makes it all too easy....


Dave

__________________
"Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com

Mossyback

Thanks, Dave. The LDS has a bunch of worn out BC hoses so I should be able to cut off the quick disconnect fittings. They also have the male parts available. If I remove the brass hose ferrel (sp?) from the compression fitting that I've put on the Russian tube to the CL, can I get an adapter (coupling) that will attach the "O" ringed male part to the compression fitting? It's a tapered thread while the BC male tit with the "O" ring is a straight thread.

Hank

__________________
"Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."

Dave Sutton

I cut the russian tube with a tube cutter, and then use a Swagelok metric tube to 1/8 NPT adapter and then I thread the fitting into that. You've already done the cut and swaging part. All you need to do now is to buy the correct fitting and then only use half of it (the part with the 1/8 NPT female on it). McMaster-Carr has many of these fittings as well, actually they are Parker and not Swagelok, no practical or quality difference at all.


Dave

__________________
"Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com

Mossyback

Dave, I'm slowly going out of my mind. I went into a couple of hose places today to try and solve my quick disconnect problems. They claim it can't be done. I know this is BS because you've done it and so have others. So...screw the local stores, I'll order from McMaster-Carr.

Below is a photo of my current state. If I understand you correctly, it's part "C" that I'm getting rid of and replacing with ???. Then I can screw part "D" into that female end. Right?

I've looked at the online catalogue of Mc Master-Carr but I'm not sure what to order. Can you help with part numbers or sizes?

Hank

Attached Images

Fittings.jpg (33.3 KB, 201 views)

__________________
"Be the kind of person your dog thinks you are."

jeff h

Hank,

There are two easy solutions to your problem. The first one is to buy an inflator nipple that has 1/4" NPT threads on the backside like this one:1/4" NPT Male to Standard BCD Connector (AA04) from LeisurePro.com

The second is to buy a 1/4" NPT male to 1/8" NPT female bushing and modifiy it (Mcmaster p/n 9171K52 has plenty of beef for this). Run a 3/8" UNF tap through the 1/8" NPT threads (not the best idea but I've done it several times and it's close enough) and then bore a small O-ring boss in it (0.080" deep and 29/64 dia.). Or buy one like this Trident AA54 http://www.tridentdive.com/Export15.htm (identical to what I described). Then your nipple will screw into this adapter.

You'll need a 1/4" female to female adapter: mcmaster P/N 9171K73 or get the low pressure version.

-Jeff

GKAM

Hi Hank,

You could visit a local macine shop and get them to make a replacement for what is part "C" on your attached photo.

I paid about 45$ to get these made from a standard hex brass rod.

The set on the top is used for feeding O2 to the flow meter. Second from top is used for O2 feed to the rig (std BC connector) and the last one is for DIL feed and has a larger CJEN nipple taken from an old APEKS drysuit inlet.

The bits that shine more on the photo are from the original Swagelok kit (like your ABC assembly).



I have some more pics on my website if you are interested. As with 99% of the IDA71 homebuilders, most of the ideas are taken from Dave's original.

Thx,
GKAM

__________________
Stay #

montyg

Another possible solution (which we used) was to have "C" and "D" silver soldered together....

rgds
monty

undrh2o

For my IDA71 I was going to do basically what Jeff is suggesting see picture below (ITEMS ARE NOT TO SCALE)

You can buy the fittings from a hydralic supplier (online you can go to www.acklandsgrainger.com) they have Canadian stores (including London ON) and will ship if you order online.

I got the following Items:
Compression fitting (can't remember the size 3/8 or 5/16) to 1/8"NPT male
1/8"NPT Female to 1/4" hose barb
1/4" hose barb to 1/4"NPT (1/4NPT is what is use in most "shop air" setups)
the Trident / leisure pro part AA04 (my dive shop can order all the trident parts) the part is 1/4"NPT to inflator (http://www.tridentdive.com/Export17.htm under air tool adapters)
some hose crimps (from grainger)
3-4" of scuba hose

You can reduce the part count by using a compression fitting that is 1/4NPT Male and get a 1/4NPT Female to female adapter in place of the barb fittings and hose. I prefer the hose as it will give it some flex.

Attached Images

IDA71adapter.jpg (38.6 KB, 158 views)

undrh2o

Another good Canadian source is Home | Fastenal they have a store in London too I picked up my barbed fittings from them here in Ottawa

EDIT:
I found this Item (5/16"Tube x 1/4"FPT Connector Brass Cpmrssn Fitting | Fastenal) it's a 5/16 (you might need the 3/8 or you might be able to ream out the 5/16 to fit the Russian pipe which I believe is 8mm) compression to 1/4NPT fitting. Add the trident part and you're done.