AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods

kiwi_diver · 4th September 2007, 00:36

Hi all,

Thanks to some old posts in here I've found a source for DIN adapter that'll fit the threads on the Russian cylinders and fill port on the AKA-60. This has given rise to some new thoughts and I'd wecome feedback from the forum. Here's what I'm thinking:

1. Fit the DIN adapter to the central fill port and connect a 1st stage reg with integrated nitrox computer, inflation hose for wing and bail-out 2nd stage.
2. Cut and seal off the internal HP pipe that goes to the original SPG and remove the original SPG and it's hose and fittings where it passes through the clamshell.
3. Cut and fit an inline needle valve to the LP pipe that provides the constant flow to the counterlung.

Where I'm going with this is that I could shut off the counterlung with the valve in (3.) and switch to OC still using the internal cylinders, and my integrated nitrox computer would be giving me the in-use cylinder pressure regardless of being on SCR or OC.

I want to be able to isolate the counterlung with a valve so I don't waste bail-out gas by having it continue to flow into the lung when I've switched to OC. The whistle will still be plumbed into the circuit so that will still sound when the supply reaches 30 bar, but only if the counterlung is not flooded I guess.

One issue is where to put the valve, so that it's not too easily turned off. Of course, I'll be watching PPO2 so if it does get knocked, I should know and fix it or bail out. I actually have another idea for the valve. If I set the main flow rate higher than spec via the original 1st stage, and throttle it with the valve to the spec rate, I could adjust when in use to increase flow to the lung if my PPO2 drops due to exertion, as well as turning it off when switching to OC.

Your thoughts appreciated...

Ray.

**Dave Sutton** · 4th September 2007, 01:19

If you're willing to do all that... switch to Plan B and simply turn it into a mCCR. Using a KISS system it can be done in, oh.... 15 minutes or so.

Dave

kiwi_diver · 4th September 2007, 01:34

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

If you're willing to do all that... switch to Plan B and simply turn it into a mCCR. Using a KISS system it can be done in, oh.... 15 minutes or so.

Dave

Oh man, you're just determined to have me go directly to CCR without passing Go and collecting $200 aren't you!

But I'm gonna to make you wait while I go through the SCR stage...

Ray.

**Dave Sutton** · 4th September 2007, 14:44

Just make sure you live thru it..... SCC systems are less precise and as a result (IMHO) less safe than CCR's.
The only personal friend I have ever lost diving died on a SCC rig in 10 feet of water.... on a CCR he would still be alive.
He was supposed to come to the LDSOH three days later to do a kiss conversion.... if he had done so he would not have died.

An any case, if I were you: Don't modify the rig, use it as-is, use one cylinder on at a time, and turn it off if you need to. Carry independent bailout. Consider carrying two mixes and use one shallow and one deep. Buy a rEvodream and use the HUD. It'll be a good part later when you do a CCR conversion.

Dave

kiwi_diver · 5th September 2007, 00:54

Dave, you're right of course, I should not get too far ahead of myself. I'll just get the PPO2 meter in place and dive it with an external bail out/inflation rig.

Thanks, Ray.

osiris · 13th September 2007, 13:02

Well, Ray - when is it in the water? I'd love to see it in action. P.S. Dave Ray is keen for us to kick off a Russki Snufski club (yep, I know he stole the name form the swiss guys) - but we could be the NZ branch? Naturally, I couldn't be a meber until I've actually divied one. (Darn couriers!)

Quote: (Originally Posted by kiwi_diver)

Dave, you're right of course, I should not get too far ahead of myself. I'll just get the PPO2 meter in place and dive it with an external bail out/inflation rig.

Thanks, Ray.

kiwi_diver · 17th September 2007, 22:57

I'm thinking about a paint job for it, maybe a soviet camo design and some cyrillic lettering...

I'll be in the pool with it next Tuesday so long as I get some sorb before then. Of course, you'll still be KISSing in the pool, since your latest sovietski imports will be stuck in Customs while they figure out if they're a real peice of UW life support equipment or just some new means of transporting illegal narcotics...

I can just see them carefully unscrewing the cylinder valves and looking inside with a boroscope...

empressdiver · 24th September 2007, 02:30

Well, if those cylinder valves were screwed on anywhere near as tight as mine were, they will need a hydraulic valve remover to loosen them!

kiwi_diver · 24th September 2007, 11:01

Ok, well, I bit the bullet and chopped into this thing. Rather than settle for hanging a DIN 1st stage off the surface supply port of the unit, I chucked caution to the wind and cut into the ADV supply pipe inside the clamshell and spliced in a small brass 4-port manifold with 2 of the ports tapped to 3/8 UNF...

Thus I have been able to fit a bail-out reg and inflation hose into it. These hoses run out through the cylinder valve access holes and up behind my OMS wing.

I've also replaced the soviet SPG bulkhead fitting with a 7/16 UNF setup and attached my Oceanic air/nitrox integrated computer.

More photos in the Homebuild gallery... search on Orca.

Ray.

4th September 2007, 00:36	#1 (permalink)
kiwi_diver Alias - Ray Mansell Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 157	AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Hi all, Thanks to some old posts in here I've found a source for DIN adapter that'll fit the threads on the Russian cylinders and fill port on the AKA-60. This has given rise to some new thoughts and I'd wecome feedback from the forum. Here's what I'm thinking: 1. Fit the DIN adapter to the central fill port and connect a 1st stage reg with integrated nitrox computer, inflation hose for wing and bail-out 2nd stage. 2. Cut and seal off the internal HP pipe that goes to the original SPG and remove the original SPG and it's hose and fittings where it passes through the clamshell. 3. Cut and fit an inline needle valve to the LP pipe that provides the constant flow to the counterlung. Where I'm going with this is that I could shut off the counterlung with the valve in (3.) and switch to OC still using the internal cylinders, and my integrated nitrox computer would be giving me the in-use cylinder pressure regardless of being on SCR or OC. I want to be able to isolate the counterlung with a valve so I don't waste bail-out gas by having it continue to flow into the lung when I've switched to OC. The whistle will still be plumbed into the circuit so that will still sound when the supply reaches 30 bar, but only if the counterlung is not flooded I guess. One issue is where to put the valve, so that it's not too easily turned off. Of course, I'll be watching PPO2 so if it does get knocked, I should know and fix it or bail out. I actually have another idea for the valve. If I set the main flow rate higher than spec via the original 1st stage, and throttle it with the valve to the spec rate, I could adjust when in use to increase flow to the lung if my PPO2 drops due to exertion, as well as turning it off when switching to OC. Your thoughts appreciated... Ray. __________________ Ray. == Latitude 36 South, where the deeper you dive, the warmer it gets! ==
(Offline)

4th September 2007, 01:19	#2 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,674	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods If you're willing to do all that... switch to Plan B and simply turn it into a mCCR. Using a KISS system it can be done in, oh.... 15 minutes or so. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com
(Online)

4th September 2007, 01:34	#3 (permalink)
kiwi_diver Alias - Ray Mansell Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 157	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) If you're willing to do all that... switch to Plan B and simply turn it into a mCCR. Using a KISS system it can be done in, oh.... 15 minutes or so. Dave Oh man, you're just determined to have me go directly to CCR without passing Go and collecting $200 aren't you! But I'm gonna to make you wait while I go through the SCR stage... Ray. __________________ Ray. == Latitude 36 South, where the deeper you dive, the warmer it gets! ==
(Offline)

4th September 2007, 14:44	#4 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,674	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Just make sure you live thru it..... SCC systems are less precise and as a result (IMHO) less safe than CCR's. The only personal friend I have ever lost diving died on a SCC rig in 10 feet of water.... on a CCR he would still be alive. He was supposed to come to the LDSOH three days later to do a kiss conversion.... if he had done so he would not have died. An any case, if I were you: Don't modify the rig, use it as-is, use one cylinder on at a time, and turn it off if you need to. Carry independent bailout. Consider carrying two mixes and use one shallow and one deep. Buy a rEvodream and use the HUD. It'll be a good part later when you do a CCR conversion. Dave __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com Last edited by Dave Sutton : 4th September 2007 at 14:49.
(Online)

5th September 2007, 00:54	#5 (permalink)
kiwi_diver Alias - Ray Mansell Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 157	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Dave, you're right of course, I should not get too far ahead of myself. I'll just get the PPO2 meter in place and dive it with an external bail out/inflation rig. Thanks, Ray. __________________ Ray. == Latitude 36 South, where the deeper you dive, the warmer it gets! ==
(Offline)

13th September 2007, 13:02	#6 (permalink)
osiris Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Auckland Posts: 320	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Well, Ray - when is it in the water? I'd love to see it in action. P.S. Dave Ray is keen for us to kick off a Russki Snufski club (yep, I know he stole the name form the swiss guys) - but we could be the NZ branch? Naturally, I couldn't be a meber until I've actually divied one. (Darn couriers!) Quote: (Originally Posted by kiwi_diver) Dave, you're right of course, I should not get too far ahead of myself. I'll just get the PPO2 meter in place and dive it with an external bail out/inflation rig. Thanks, Ray.
(Offline)

17th September 2007, 22:57	#7 (permalink)
kiwi_diver Alias - Ray Mansell Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 157	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods I'm thinking about a paint job for it, maybe a soviet camo design and some cyrillic lettering... I'll be in the pool with it next Tuesday so long as I get some sorb before then. Of course, you'll still be KISSing in the pool, since your latest sovietski imports will be stuck in Customs while they figure out if they're a real peice of UW life support equipment or just some new means of transporting illegal narcotics... I can just see them carefully unscrewing the cylinder valves and looking inside with a boroscope... __________________ Ray. == Latitude 36 South, where the deeper you dive, the warmer it gets! ==
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 02:30	#8 (permalink)
empressdiver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 39	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Well, if those cylinder valves were screwed on anywhere near as tight as mine were, they will need a hydraulic valve remover to loosen them! __________________ If not now, when?
(Offline)

24th September 2007, 11:01	#9 (permalink)
kiwi_diver Alias - Ray Mansell Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 157	Re: AKA-60 Orca proposed Mods Ok, well, I bit the bullet and chopped into this thing. Rather than settle for hanging a DIN 1st stage off the surface supply port of the unit, I chucked caution to the wind and cut into the ADV supply pipe inside the clamshell and spliced in a small brass 4-port manifold with 2 of the ports tapped to 3/8 UNF... Thus I have been able to fit a bail-out reg and inflation hose into it. These hoses run out through the cylinder valve access holes and up behind my OMS wing. I've also replaced the soviet SPG bulkhead fitting with a 7/16 UNF setup and attached my Oceanic air/nitrox integrated computer. More photos in the Homebuild gallery... search on Orca. Ray. __________________ Ray. == Latitude 36 South, where the deeper you dive, the warmer it gets! ==
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode