Close to the final question - manifold block (LP)

Genesis

Ok, here's the challenge.

My regs on the K1 are DS4s.

They have two LP ports on one side and two on the other, along with one HP port. Tanks are inverted (as they are on most CCRs) as I was unable to reach the valves with any rational configuration with them mounted upright.

This, however, leaves me with a number of problems I don't like. The first is that I need all custom hoses. Ok, I can deal, but now I have to buy them (you should see my collection of standard ones!)

The bigger problem is that while I'm ok on my O2 connections (I need two - one for the solenoid and one for the manual add) on the diluent side I might need as many as FOUR!

BOV, Manual Add, Wing and, if I'm diving dry, suit inflation (if using air as a diluent, otherwise I need to carry a bottle for the suit that's separate)

This sucks, because I can't come up with a sane routing for the hoses that actually works and doesn't kink things horribly.

So, I think I want to run one hose to the BOV and the second to roughly center chest, where I will then take off a hose for the BC and a second for the manual add. A third port for the suit inflation gas would be nice.

I can't find any such beast. While I'm sure I can make something up from Ts and fittings, that's kinda kludgy - I was hoping to use standard scuba fitting stuff.

How have others solved this - or have you? None of the inflator/manual add stuff is high volume, so sharing a single pipe should be ok.

__________________
"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
http://www.denninger.net
http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket

Dave1w

Have you looked at the small hose / manifold from the Drager Ray.

Dräger Ray Mitteldruckschlauch mit Verteilerblock - W+S Water Safety Europe GmbH - Online Shop - Seit 1999

It shows as a 3/8 unf, which I think matches the DS4. This has 3 outlets, 2 on the sides an done on the top.



You can get it from DAN Shop in Germany
Regards
Dave

DanFountain

Only slightly kludgy - I run a standard second stage hose of appropriate length up to behind my left shoulder. Here I use a fitting meant to join two second stage hoses, but the outlet goes to a LP tee - 3/8-24 UNF (standard scuba) in and out. Left branch goes to my dry suit, top to wing, right to bail-out second stage. Standard length hoses work fine. It's not ideal, but good enough for sport diving depths and mixes.

Dan

Genesis

That'd be a cross I presume (not a "T")

Where'd 'ya get it?

__________________
"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
http://www.denninger.net
http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket

DanFountain

Yup, I mean a cross. Got it out of my junk box - originally used on my USD Calypso reg when I needed to add those new-fangled octopus and power inflator. I made the adapter (coupler) before I realized I could buy one. They're available from Oxycheq (PS2004), Tech Blue (TG57210 & TG57205), Trident (AA55 & AA53) or your friendly neighborhood dive shop. Picked the last two up in a box of parts on eBay.

Dan

Genesis

Well, my friendly dive shop doesn't stock techie stuff like that

Thanks for the pointer on Oxycheq - hadn't looked there.... shouldawoulda-now-did.

__________________
"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
http://www.denninger.net
http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket

Benthic

You might find something useful at M&J Engineering too.

Brian

__________________
Well lit rooms will not repel determined beer ninjas.

Genesis

Aha! And they have them in stock! Thank you!

__________________
"A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American."
http://www.denninger.net
http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket

Dave Sutton

Two issues here that I've dealt with for years:

(1): You can make your own custom hoses with ease using 3/8 hose tat is vailable from McMaster-Carr, using ear-clamps also available from the same source crimped with a tool that is also sold there. I cut the ferrules off the ends of stock hoses and re-use the end fittings. Have been doing it for years. The hose is availlable in any color so blue = diluent and green = o2 on all of my rigs. I can get catalog numbers when I get home.

(2): I make (and will be pleased to make to spec) LP manifolds with any orientation and your choice of 3/8-24UNF (standard LP hose connection) or 1/8 NPT (also valuable, as you can make the above mentioned hoses with 1/8 NPT male ends easially using yet another little part from McMaster-Carr). I purchased the correct reamer to make the O-Ring port in the LP hose connection the perfect SAE specification. I use Brass if asked, but usually work in Delrin. It's fine for LP and is non corrosive. I also add things like ball shut-off valves on manifolds, quick-connects, etc. You can make all this stuff yourself but the issue is sourcing and then buying the correct reamer to port the hole for the O-Ring.


Bottom line: I've used custom LP manifolds and home-made custom hoses for years. It's the way to go.


Dave'

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

kiwidiver

here is another option parker 611-4 hose and reusable fittings from www.undersea.com.uk, they should have what your after.