Finally Finished! Homebuild??

firemandiver · 3rd April 2008, 01:22

I don't know if this would technically count as a homebuild, but I wanted to get some input on my design. It is basically a Dolphin in a custom shell, similar to the Hydrogom units I've seen. I love the Dolphin except for a few major flaws....The B/C fit stinks, the bailout supply is limited, and the DSV is uncomfortable as hell. So I decided to try to fix it. I built my own shell and backplate out of aluminum. I mounted it to a weight integrated B/C. I added a second complete 13cf bailout and changed the Drager mouthpiece to a Seacure. I had to get some 90's from Martin at Tecme to make the hoses fit, but it came out really nice. I've been kicking this idea around for about 6 months or so and decided to give it a whirl. I'm planning on making a splash in the next week or so to work out the details, bouyancy, weight, etc.
I welcome any input from those who have tried a similar route. Any tips, suggestions, would be great. Thanks, FD.

p.s. If anyone is interested I can post some pics in the gallery of the build process from start to finish.

Ben Field · 3rd April 2008, 10:58

Looks very neat and tidy- well done, thats often the hardest thing to achieve!

Left hand tank valve wheel might be abit of a PITA to get to...

Is it SCR or CCR, difficult to tell from pictures?

gerstl_ossi · 3rd April 2008, 11:09

Look really nice. Well done. Let us know how it dives.

Cheers Ossi

OceanOpportunity · 4th April 2008, 00:53

2 Q's...

1) can you mount a standard backplate to your custom shell?

2) consider producing a few? cost?

I've been playing with a Dolphin conversion for some time now and love it.

OceanOpportunity · 4th April 2008, 00:54

2 Q's...

1) can you mount a standard backplate to your custom shell?

2) consider producing a few? cost?

I've been playing with a Dolphin conversion for some time now and love it.

firemandiver · 4th April 2008, 03:02

I have no problem or restriction with the tank valves. I still may try to find a lefthand valve a little later on. It would be nice to have them correct left and right. Mostly for cosmetic reasons.

My shell could fit a standard backplate with a few mods I suppose. I actually built the whole thing from scratch so the backplate is really just a reciever for the shell. I had to buy a whole sheet of material so I used it rather than buy a backplate and build to it. Throughout the build I had several friends ask if I was planning to "make" these. I really tried this as a one off deal. I saved my patterns so I could duplicate it, but I wasn't planning on making another one. I have $150 or so in materials, and around 30 hours labor in the thing. I don't have a spoolgun so I had to TIG it. That was a lot of the labor. It is welded completely inside and out. So build another one?.......Maybe, but I'm not ready to go into production just yet

. Thanks, FD.

seakrakken · 4th April 2008, 03:16

Wow, Dude!
That is Totally Tight!
Maybe you should consider going into production.

firemandiver · 4th April 2008, 03:20

Sorry, i missed your last question. It's SCR. I may convert it one day, but for now it's essentially a stock Dolphin in a homemade box. Thanks FD

firemandiver · 12th April 2008, 04:12

I finally got a chance to get this in the water and wanted to update the thread. It worked great! My balance/trim was almost dead neutral. About 2-4 lbs. is all I needed to get negative. The unit rode nice and tight against my back without lifting like a stock Dolphin, and I don't even have a crotch strap. I was able to roll over and invert with little difference in WOB. It's a little bulky on the shore, but once it's in the water it's very comfortable. All in all I'm very pleased with my project. Thanks for all the help and interest in my new toy. FD

(I tried to include a pic but it wouldn't upload. Not sure why.)

kiwi_diver · 13th April 2008, 07:36

Sweet job FD, nicely done. If I had a Dolphin I'd be doing something about the stock shell and wing too, when I did my SCR course I got P'd off with the lung and lumps pushing me in the back as I breathed. But I'd probably buy a Hydrogom because that amount of DIY metalwork is not my scene. Big ups to you for having a go. I'm kind of glad the Ruskis did reasonable alloy cases for the likes of my unit.

3rd April 2008, 10:58	#2 (permalink)
Ben Field CK+Shearwater Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: London, England Posts: 1,442	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? Looks very neat and tidy- well done, thats often the hardest thing to achieve! Left hand tank valve wheel might be abit of a PITA to get to... Is it SCR or CCR, difficult to tell from pictures? __________________ www.hugsac.org.uk Beware Fridge Suck
(Offline)

3rd April 2008, 11:09	#3 (permalink)
gerstl_ossi Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: RB80 / Clone Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet RB80 / Clone Home Build Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Italy Posts: 272	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? Look really nice. Well done. Let us know how it dives. Cheers Ossi
(Offline)

4th April 2008, 00:53	#4 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 465	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? 2 Q's... 1) can you mount a standard backplate to your custom shell? 2) consider producing a few? cost? I've been playing with a Dolphin conversion for some time now and love it. __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Gear Reviewer, The Summit Journal exploration & scientific diving resources www.explorationtechnologiesgroup.com
(Offline)

4th April 2008, 00:54	#5 (permalink)
OceanOpportunity for a world of water Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Other CCR Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Providence, RI USA Posts: 465	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? 2 Q's... 1) can you mount a standard backplate to your custom shell? 2) consider producing a few? cost? I've been playing with a Dolphin conversion for some time now and love it. __________________ Michael Lombardi Oceans of Opportunity www.oceanopportunity.com Gear Reviewer, The Summit Journal exploration & scientific diving resources www.explorationtechnologiesgroup.com
(Offline)

4th April 2008, 03:02	#6 (permalink)
firemandiver Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gulfport, ms Posts: 111	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? I have no problem or restriction with the tank valves. I still may try to find a lefthand valve a little later on. It would be nice to have them correct left and right. Mostly for cosmetic reasons. My shell could fit a standard backplate with a few mods I suppose. I actually built the whole thing from scratch so the backplate is really just a reciever for the shell. I had to buy a whole sheet of material so I used it rather than buy a backplate and build to it. Throughout the build I had several friends ask if I was planning to "make" these. I really tried this as a one off deal. I saved my patterns so I could duplicate it, but I wasn't planning on making another one. I have $150 or so in materials, and around 30 hours labor in the thing. I don't have a spoolgun so I had to TIG it. That was a lot of the labor. It is welded completely inside and out. So build another one?.......Maybe, but I'm not ready to go into production just yet. Thanks, FD.
(Offline)

4th April 2008, 03:16	#7 (permalink)
seakrakken Bob in Dallas Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? Wow, Dude! That is Totally Tight! Maybe you should consider going into production.
(Offline)

4th April 2008, 03:20	#8 (permalink)
firemandiver Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gulfport, ms Posts: 111	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? Sorry, i missed your last question. It's SCR. I may convert it one day, but for now it's essentially a stock Dolphin in a homemade box. Thanks FD
(Offline)

12th April 2008, 04:12	#9 (permalink)
firemandiver Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: gulfport, ms Posts: 111	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? I finally got a chance to get this in the water and wanted to update the thread. It worked great! My balance/trim was almost dead neutral. About 2-4 lbs. is all I needed to get negative. The unit rode nice and tight against my back without lifting like a stock Dolphin, and I don't even have a crotch strap. I was able to roll over and invert with little difference in WOB. It's a little bulky on the shore, but once it's in the water it's very comfortable. All in all I'm very pleased with my project. Thanks for all the help and interest in my new toy. FD (I tried to include a pic but it wouldn't upload. Not sure why.)
(Offline)

13th April 2008, 07:36	#10 (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: 155	Re: Finally Finished! Homebuild?? Sweet job FD, nicely done. If I had a Dolphin I'd be doing something about the stock shell and wing too, when I did my SCR course I got P'd off with the lung and lumps pushing me in the back as I breathed. But I'd probably buy a Hydrogom because that amount of DIY metalwork is not my scene. Big ups to you for having a go. I'm kind of glad the Ruskis did reasonable alloy cases for the likes of my unit. __________________ 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