My test on AliBox

alboy · 15th November 2006, 20:52

I promised Michael when I had dived with the Ali Box a few times I would write a little piece on the forum.
I nearly went for the Kent Tooling box but the lines of the AliBox swayed it.
As per previous article the box arrived in a massive cardbaord box and after I ripped it all open and chucked it out for the bin men I realised there might be a pen. Couldn't find it but luck would have it, the honest bin men left it on my wall!! Xmas bonus expected this year I think. Very nice pen.
I then took box out to my workshop and began putting it all together. Now I may not be the sharpest tool in the box but I've been building my own dive kit and harnesses for the last fifteen years but having been extremely impressed with the workmanship I could not get the first stages to connect to the cylinders. The angle was crazy and the hoses were crushed against the case. I then took the problem to Michael and he must have thought he'd got away with it til now but eventually he had to sell a box to the numpty of the year!
He sent me pictures and spoke to me several times from Belgium but I'd completely confused everyone. It was not until I looked carefully at the photos I noticed that the first stages were different to mine. I had my inspo vision in August with the new first stages on which are considerably bigger and have different port positions. This was the weekend of the dive show and Michael had a look on the AP stand and noticed the problem himself. By this time I had modified the unit myself and it worked a treat. Michael has now upgraded the design so there will be no further problems if you have the new Apeks first stages.
I have dived over four hours on the unit and it is a superb piece of kit. The assembling of it is easy and it is very comfortable on your back. If you have a handle then run the hoses over the top of it. It looks wrong on the deck but as soon as your in it the lungs ride up and the hoses run perfectly. I have managed to take some underwater shots for you to see the unit in action. Well in fact my mate took them on the settings I'd given him. I apologise for the quality of the photos but I'm just learning the photo bit.
As well as a lovely piece of engineering the help from Michael was excellent. He phoned me a few times from Belgium spending many minutes going through the assembly with me. Thanks for a top service!

RebreatherDave · 21st November 2006, 03:36

When are the ones produced for AP going to become available

diverklondike · 21st November 2006, 03:43

Has it been confirmed that AP has bought in on the design etc?

Dive Safe... Mark

CharlieT · 21st November 2006, 10:41

This is a nice looking bit of kit!

The rounded look far more attractive than the square alternatives I've seen so far.

Does the handle come with the box and what wing are you using with it?

How much? In £ please.

Charlie

decoweenie · 21st November 2006, 10:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by CharlieT)

The rounded look far more attractive than the square alternatives I've seen so far.

Hah, see the frame I made in mid-2005 for myself using local welders. Looks strangely familiar ?

However, when we were finalizing the TF, Dave T made a strong argument that a square back is better functionally since you could place the unit flat on its back if needed.

After having used both (round and flat backs), I agree with Dave T but still agree that a round back looks more sexy.

CharlieT · 21st November 2006, 11:09

But it looks a bit like a stainless steel dustbin!

Did you use a pedal to open the top?

The holes do improve things somewhat....

Charlie

aki · 21st November 2006, 11:39

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

However, when we were finalizing the TF, Dave T made a strong argument that a square back is better functionally since you could place the unit flat on its back if needed.

After having used both (round and flat backs), I agree with Dave T but still agree that a round back looks more sexy.

But if you have a "wet" unit, shouldn't it be laying on its front side? I really like Michael's concept, instead the stand which I'd rather have the way Phi has done it. The bottom line being that I don't see any real benefits for my self to be able to place the unit on its back or having a stand. And yes, round is sexy.

decoweenie · 21st November 2006, 11:51

Quote: (Originally Posted by CharlieT)

The holes do improve things somewhat....

What do holes improve ?

Remember that it is always far easier to stand back and critique things done by others than to innovate...

decoweenie · 21st November 2006, 11:54

Quote: (Originally Posted by aki)

But if you have a "wet" unit, shouldn't it be laying on its front side?

Of course about wet. I was referring to the ability to place the "dry" unit down on the boat floor and install the wing/BP/etc to it.

Anyway, just a comment. I do agree that Mike H stuffs are very nicely done, I wish the local shops could do the same but have to live with what I got...

michael hearn · 21st November 2006, 13:00

hi every one
nice pics from alboy, never actually seen it underwater.
i made it round as i find it more pleasing to the eye, but thats a pesonal choice. ive made improvements since that model, now they are all black and inpregnated with teflon. the stands are now alu or SS and fully demountable which makes it more compact to travel, thecases have been made to exactly fit the flat faced metalsub mounts from APD, which makes cylinder placement a piece of cake.when have pics ill put them here.
thanks
mike.
ps decoweenie i still have one very nice titanium version here,would probably look good standing next to your others

21st November 2006, 03:36	#2 (permalink)
RebreatherDave Maximum **** Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s:** Join Date: May 2005 Location: L.A., where the debris meets the sea Posts: 226	Re: My test on AliBox When are the ones produced for AP going to become available
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21st November 2006, 03:43	#3 (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: 1,699	Re: My test on AliBox Has it been confirmed that AP has bought in on the design etc? Dive Safe... Mark
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21st November 2006, 10:41	#4 (permalink)
CharlieT Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 449	Re: My test on AliBox This is a nice looking bit of kit! The rounded look far more attractive than the square alternatives I've seen so far. Does the handle come with the box and what wing are you using with it? How much? In £ please. Charlie Last edited by CharlieT : 21st November 2006 at 10:43.
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21st November 2006, 11:09	#6 (permalink)
CharlieT Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: London Posts: 449	Re: My test on AliBox But it looks a bit like a stainless steel dustbin! Did you use a pedal to open the top? The holes do improve things somewhat.... Charlie
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21st November 2006, 11:39	#7 (permalink)
aki Inspiration Vision Diver Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Stockholm. Sweden Posts: 117	Re: My test on AliBox Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) However, when we were finalizing the TF, Dave T made a strong argument that a square back is better functionally since you could place the unit flat on its back if needed. After having used both (round and flat backs), I agree with Dave T but still agree that a round back looks more sexy. But if you have a "wet" unit, shouldn't it be laying on its front side? I really like Michael's concept, instead the stand which I'd rather have the way Phi has done it. The bottom line being that I don't see any real benefits for my self to be able to place the unit on its back or having a stand. And yes, round is sexy. __________________ May the sorb be with you
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21st November 2006, 11:51	#8 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,487	Re: My test on AliBox Quote: (Originally Posted by CharlieT) The holes do improve things somewhat.... What do holes improve ? Remember that it is always far easier to stand back and critique things done by others than to innovate... __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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21st November 2006, 11:54	#9 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,487	Re: My test on AliBox Quote: (Originally Posted by aki) But if you have a "wet" unit, shouldn't it be laying on its front side? Of course about wet. I was referring to the ability to place the "dry" unit down on the boat floor and install the wing/BP/etc to it. Anyway, just a comment. I do agree that Mike H stuffs are very nicely done, I wish the local shops could do the same but have to live with what I got... __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
(Offline)

21st November 2006, 13:00	#10 (permalink)
michael hearn RBW Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: belgium Posts: 118	Re: My test on AliBox hi every one nice pics from alboy, never actually seen it underwater. i made it round as i find it more pleasing to the eye, but thats a pesonal choice. ive made improvements since that model, now they are all black and inpregnated with teflon. the stands are now alu or SS and fully demountable which makes it more compact to travel, thecases have been made to exactly fit the flat faced metalsub mounts from APD, which makes cylinder placement a piece of cake.when have pics ill put them here. thanks mike. ps decoweenie i still have one very nice titanium version here,would probably look good standing next to your others
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