Bringing a classic inspo back to life?

simondodkins · 12th February 2008, 21:35

Hi all,

This is my first post! yay!

I have an old classic inspiration, old style paddle handsets, old style electronics, which has been sitting, unused since September 2004. Basically three years. She was new in 2002, so the unit is now (counts on fingers) 6 years old.

I have begun some prelimary refurbishment work on her (hoses cleared out of spiders, first stages serviced and everything cleaned up). I have replaced the cells with new ones, new batteries etc. etc. BUT I cannot seem to get the electronics to turn on reliably for either handset.

I wondered if there might be some corrosion on the terminals, so I have given the terminals a vinegar bath, but that does not seem to have helped.

I know the old style electronics can be tempremental, and I wonder if I am really doing the right thing to even try and get my old unit functioning again. There are questions over the bladder in the BCD and how strong the rubber is, also the state of the inside of the counterlungs, and I wonder if it might be Sooooo much better to stop flogging the dead horse?

Buying a new unit is an option for me, and frankly, as this bit of kit supports my life underwater, I am in no mood to skimp on anything, soooo...is it worth it trying to get the old unit working??????????

diverklondike · 12th February 2008, 21:39

I would suggest sending the head in for service....

M

Johnny Christensen · 12th February 2008, 22:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverklondike)

I would suggest sending the head in for service....

M

Very sound advice. But other than that, the Inspiration is build well when you look at the big picture.
I would be very surprised if there was any counterlungs or BCD bladder problems.
The electronics (their housings) are the worst part of the old inspo, if that is overhauled by the factory - then everything else is like the newer models.
If you can live with OTS counterlungs, it will serve you well.

Johnny Christensen · 12th February 2008, 22:16

Oi !!!

Simon Dodkins... as in the Simon Dodkins doing a bit of divemastering for DiveTech in 1999 ??

divetheworld · 12th February 2008, 22:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by simondodkins)

Hi all,

This is my first post! yay!

I have an old classic inspiration, old style paddle handsets, old style electronics, which has been sitting, unused since September 2004. Basically three years. She was new in 2002, so the unit is now (counts on fingers) 6 years old.

I have begun some prelimary refurbishment work on her (hoses cleared out of spiders, first stages serviced and everything cleaned up). I have replaced the cells with new ones, new batteries etc. etc. BUT I cannot seem to get the electronics to turn on reliably for either handset.

I wondered if there might be some corrosion on the terminals, so I have given the terminals a vinegar bath, but that does not seem to have helped.

I know the old style electronics can be tempremental, and I wonder if I am really doing the right thing to even try and get my old unit functioning again. There are questions over the bladder in the BCD and how strong the rubber is, also the state of the inside of the counterlungs, and I wonder if it might be Sooooo much better to stop flogging the dead horse?

Buying a new unit is an option for me, and frankly, as this bit of kit supports my life underwater, I am in no mood to skimp on anything, soooo...is it worth it trying to get the old unit working??????????

Search the boards under inspo battery box and see what you can find out. i made a post some time ago detailing the soldering refirb. As previously stated, send it in to get all the critical updates to the hardware that are required. APD dont do recalls. New convoluted loop hose is very cheap and so are lung bladders. Get them and put it all back together. Dont forget new 'o' rings, especially the scrubber 'suicide' o ring.

simondodkins · 13th February 2008, 04:21

Quote: (Originally Posted by Johnny Christensen)

Oi !!!

Simon Dodkins... as in the Simon Dodkins doing a bit of divemastering for DiveTech in 1999 ??

Oh my!....big bad Johnny

it is indeed me....ex-divemaster at Divetech in 1999...good to see you still around and enjoying life.

I'll never forget that twinset dive you took me on in January 2000 for my birthday - that was prolly my first true tech dive.

So how is life with you????

simondodkins · 13th February 2008, 04:33

Quote: (Originally Posted by Johnny Christensen)

Very sound advice. But other than that, the Inspiration is build well when you look at the big picture.
I would be very surprised if there was any counterlungs or BCD bladder problems.
The electronics (their housings) are the worst part of the old inspo, if that is overhauled by the factory - then everything else is like the newer models.
If you can live with OTS counterlungs, it will serve you well.

Thanks for the advice...will work some more on the battery terminals and see if I can get them to turn on more reliabily.

All the best, Simon.

kiwidiver · 13th February 2008, 05:46

have you checked the magnets on the handsets??

simondodkins · 13th February 2008, 14:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by kiwidiver)

have you checked the magnets on the handsets??

How do you check them?

**Dave Sutton** · 13th February 2008, 14:30

Out of the (yellow) box solution?

Why not rip all of that old electronics crap out, toss it into the trash, buy a rEvodream and a VR-3, wire them up to the cells, and add a Hydrogom valve?

You'll end up with a bulletproof HUD and Real-Time deco equipped mCCR that will last forever with minimal maintence.

Could do the same with a Shearwater and Shearwater HUD. Either is going to be a lot better than that obsolete junk electonics package, and likely cheaper than replacement of it with Inspo stuff. Looking at simple numbers, the highest prediction of dying on a rebreather is use of an old Inspiration 'leccies package, and the lowest probability is use of any mCCR system (no yelling please, it's true), and add to that the bulletproof character of the mCCR system added to a fairly decent Inspiration chassis and you would have a rig you would likely love.

???

I'd like to do this, actually, as a LDSOH project, so if not you, then if someone else is interested, let's correspond. As these rigs get older and older, this sort of modification will become more practical to perform. Really, I think a night on the bench would do.

Dave

.

12th February 2008, 21:35	#1 (permalink)
simondodkins New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cayman Islands Posts: 5	Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Hi all, This is my first post! yay! I have an old classic inspiration, old style paddle handsets, old style electronics, which has been sitting, unused since September 2004. Basically three years. She was new in 2002, so the unit is now (counts on fingers) 6 years old. I have begun some prelimary refurbishment work on her (hoses cleared out of spiders, first stages serviced and everything cleaned up). I have replaced the cells with new ones, new batteries etc. etc. BUT I cannot seem to get the electronics to turn on reliably for either handset. I wondered if there might be some corrosion on the terminals, so I have given the terminals a vinegar bath, but that does not seem to have helped. I know the old style electronics can be tempremental, and I wonder if I am really doing the right thing to even try and get my old unit functioning again. There are questions over the bladder in the BCD and how strong the rubber is, also the state of the inside of the counterlungs, and I wonder if it might be Sooooo much better to stop flogging the dead horse? Buying a new unit is an option for me, and frankly, as this bit of kit supports my life underwater, I am in no mood to skimp on anything, soooo...is it worth it trying to get the old unit working??????????
(Offline)

12th February 2008, 21:39	#2 (permalink)
diverklondike RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 1,714	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? I would suggest sending the head in for service.... M
(Offline)

12th February 2008, 22:10	#3 (permalink)
Johnny Christensen RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 307	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Quote: (Originally Posted by diverklondike) I would suggest sending the head in for service.... M Very sound advice. But other than that, the Inspiration is build well when you look at the big picture. I would be very surprised if there was any counterlungs or BCD bladder problems. The electronics (their housings) are the worst part of the old inspo, if that is overhauled by the factory - then everything else is like the newer models. If you can live with OTS counterlungs, it will serve you well. __________________ www.johnnychristensen.com Wreckphotography from the cold north
(Online)

12th February 2008, 22:16	#4 (permalink)
Johnny Christensen RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Denmark Posts: 307	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Oi !!! Simon Dodkins... as in the Simon Dodkins doing a bit of divemastering for DiveTech in 1999 ?? __________________ www.johnnychristensen.com Wreckphotography from the cold north
(Online)

12th February 2008, 22:36	#5 (permalink)
divetheworld Dive porn pimp Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Classic Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Leeds, England Posts: 1,638	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Quote: (Originally Posted by simondodkins) Hi all, This is my first post! yay! I have an old classic inspiration, old style paddle handsets, old style electronics, which has been sitting, unused since September 2004. Basically three years. She was new in 2002, so the unit is now (counts on fingers) 6 years old. I have begun some prelimary refurbishment work on her (hoses cleared out of spiders, first stages serviced and everything cleaned up). I have replaced the cells with new ones, new batteries etc. etc. BUT I cannot seem to get the electronics to turn on reliably for either handset. I wondered if there might be some corrosion on the terminals, so I have given the terminals a vinegar bath, but that does not seem to have helped. I know the old style electronics can be tempremental, and I wonder if I am really doing the right thing to even try and get my old unit functioning again. There are questions over the bladder in the BCD and how strong the rubber is, also the state of the inside of the counterlungs, and I wonder if it might be Sooooo much better to stop flogging the dead horse? Buying a new unit is an option for me, and frankly, as this bit of kit supports my life underwater, I am in no mood to skimp on anything, soooo...is it worth it trying to get the old unit working?????????? Search the boards under inspo battery box and see what you can find out. i made a post some time ago detailing the soldering refirb. As previously stated, send it in to get all the critical updates to the hardware that are required. APD dont do recalls. New convoluted loop hose is very cheap and so are lung bladders. Get them and put it all back together. Dont forget new 'o' rings, especially the scrubber 'suicide' o ring. __________________ Attitude and self praise is no reccomendation. Dont try to be a great man, just be a man and let history be the judge of you. *WWW.NARKEDAT90.CO.UK* *http://www.grpservices.com/pursuit/* Supporting Shearwater Research Products in Europe
(Offline)

13th February 2008, 04:21	#6 (permalink)
simondodkins New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cayman Islands Posts: 5	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Quote: (Originally Posted by Johnny Christensen) Oi !!! Simon Dodkins... as in the Simon Dodkins doing a bit of divemastering for DiveTech in 1999 ?? Oh my!....big bad Johnny it is indeed me....ex-divemaster at Divetech in 1999...good to see you still around and enjoying life. I'll never forget that twinset dive you took me on in January 2000 for my birthday - that was prolly my first true tech dive. So how is life with you????
(Offline)

13th February 2008, 04:33	#7 (permalink)
simondodkins New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cayman Islands Posts: 5	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Quote: (Originally Posted by Johnny Christensen) Very sound advice. But other than that, the Inspiration is build well when you look at the big picture. I would be very surprised if there was any counterlungs or BCD bladder problems. The electronics (their housings) are the worst part of the old inspo, if that is overhauled by the factory - then everything else is like the newer models. If you can live with OTS counterlungs, it will serve you well. Thanks for the advice...will work some more on the battery terminals and see if I can get them to turn on more reliabily. All the best, Simon.
(Offline)

13th February 2008, 05:46	#8 (permalink)
kiwidiver RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: new zealand Posts: 154	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? have you checked the magnets on the handsets??
(Offline)

13th February 2008, 14:24	#9 (permalink)
simondodkins New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cayman Islands Posts: 5	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Quote: (Originally Posted by kiwidiver) have you checked the magnets on the handsets?? How do you check them?
(Offline)

13th February 2008, 14:30	#10 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,913	Re: Bringing a classic inspo back to life? Out of the (yellow) box solution? Why not rip all of that old electronics crap out, toss it into the trash, buy a rEvodream and a VR-3, wire them up to the cells, and add a Hydrogom valve? You'll end up with a bulletproof HUD and Real-Time deco equipped mCCR that will last forever with minimal maintence. Could do the same with a Shearwater and Shearwater HUD. Either is going to be a lot better than that obsolete junk electonics package, and likely cheaper than replacement of it with Inspo stuff. Looking at simple numbers, the highest prediction of dying on a rebreather is use of an old Inspiration 'leccies package, and the lowest probability is use of any mCCR system (no yelling please, it's true), and add to that the bulletproof character of the mCCR system added to a fairly decent Inspiration chassis and you would have a rig you would likely love. ??? I'd like to do this, actually, as a LDSOH project, so if not you, then if someone else is interested, let's correspond. As these rigs get older and older, this sort of modification will become more practical to perform. Really, I think a night on the bench would do. Dave . __________________ "Silent Diving with No Bubbles and No Politics".... www.nobubblediving.com Last edited by Dave Sutton : 13th February 2008 at 14:38.
(Online)

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