Sport KISS tweaks

sailordiver@msn.com

I dove my SK in Monterey in Nov. and have finally found the right trim and setup for me... it took awhile.
Item #1: I put LP 2200psi 14's on the unit instead of the 3000psi 13's I started off with. This change affected my trim. Added 1lb of lead high on each cylinder and trim is now perfect.
#2 WOB has always been an issue with my unit, so... I mounted it as high on my back as the Halcyon BP would allow in order to get the low mounted counter lungs closer to my lungs and opened up the counter lung restrictor by one notch. Now it breathes beautifully even upside down. I love this thing... never going back to OC.
#3 The ADV diaphragm is a fairly wimpy little piece of rubber that distorts over time. Mine bowed out a bit causing a constant leak. I'll carry a spare from now on.
#4 I'm concerned about dust from the scrubber. I bought the Inspiro filters and felt that they were too expensive and they have a hole in the center you have to plug up. So the airway becomes restricted a bit. After much trial and error I found an inexpensive dust filter you can get in a hardware store that doesn't restrict breathing but seems to trap all of the wayward dust particles. I can't remember the model # but if anyone is interested I'll check on it and post it later.

Evil Dolphin

Yes please!
I would like to know what type of filter you are using. I've been using some Inspo scrims but they are getting kind of funky. I want to replace them but they are expensive and they don't fit well.

I want filters because I've already gotten mouth full of dust already. This is one reason why I open the BOV BEFORE I put it in my mouth when gearing up. The sun had warmed my system up and it had a bit of positive pressure built up. I put the BOV in my mouth and opened the valve and POOF! I got just enough dust in my throat to teach me a little lesson.

PS - Welcome to the DARKSIDE!

caveseeker7

I just use gauge pads (about 6 in square) to keep the dust at bay, didn't notice a difference in WOB.

Also carry the unit high up, then again at 6'2" most all of them are.

Bolted some Poseidon valve caps to the box so I can screw in the 1st stages when the tanks are off.
Keeps them from dangling, nice for storage and transport.

Added medical tubing to keep gauges (over the shoulder), KISS valve and inflator handy, also use them to hold up the BOV to relieve the hoses.

Replaced the lead wire weights with chromed ss rings, major visual improvement.

Added a M&J swivel to the 1st stage to route hoses cleaner and relieve some strain.

Cracking little rebreather, isn't it.

Future improvements ... nice handle on top that also protects the pods ... and different pO2 display with HUD, haven't decided which one yet.
Shearwater looks good, but $2500 display on a $4200 rebreather seems ridiculous ... Hammerhead 2ndary/DIVA or SubSea pO2 monitor are more likely.

__________________
Cheers
Stefan



"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority,
and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible
to pick up a turd by the clean end.'!"

sailordiver@msn.com

My unit is in storage and next time I access it I'll get that information for you. I think the filters are about $5 each and you do have to cut them to fit. I love the dark side... it's where i belong.

I love the dark side...

sailordiver@msn.com

Some good ideas there... love the Poseidon valve caps on the scrubber case. I'd also like to get a HUD and better display unit I can hang on the video camera where it will always be in view. I'm running my SPG hoses low through the waist mounted D rings. Now there's nothing getting in the way of grabbing the inflator hose or the O2 add valve.

caveseeker7

Over the shoulder gauges are just a convenient way to keep stuff together, also makes it easy to take a peek when adjusting gases in loop or wing. Also keeps them out of harm's way when I doff the unit, or someone else next to it does.

Below a picture of the Poseidon valve caps. Got the idea from my instructor and liked it, got the caps from a friend who also drilled the holes into the steel. Works quite well, although the position on the side was chosen due to having a ss backplate bolted to the unit.

Alan Studley uses the Oxycheq harness and has his valve caps bolted to the diver's side of the case, so they're better protected, and better suited when traveling.

Attached Images

P1000304.JPG (303.0 KB, 367 views)

__________________
Cheers
Stefan



"Political Correctness is a doctrine, fostered by a delusional, illogical minority,
and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media,
which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible
to pick up a turd by the clean end.'!"

chunter

As far as dust goes...just blow it out prior to the dive. I used to use scrims, but I have found the best procedure to be as follows:

- Hook both pods onto the canister.
- Connect exhalation hose to pod (the one with the ADV).
- Place right hand over inhalation pod to block opening.
- With left hand hold hose connected to other pod and blow into it.
- When OPV starts to hiss, release right hand quickly from pod.
- Repeat 3 or 4 times until the dust cloud does not appear anymore.

When I do this while setting up the unit, I never have problems with dust. Also, be careful not to overfill, otherwise you grind up sorb into the pod.

Aloha,
Charlie

__________________
"Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson

"Hobgoblin is a cool word."
- Charlie

grandizer52

Since Mr. Hunter was my SK instructor, I can Agree with this being a GREAT way to aliveate dust, also on one of our dives was doing the safety stop, and unit wasn't breathing right, opened the scrubber, and low and behold, the sorb expanded to much do to over packing.

laytah
steve

kevin stone

Hi Stefan
Do you have a swivel on the Hi Pressure also?
thanks
kevin

chunter

I don't remember you opening the canister during a safety stop. I would have advised otherwise.

__________________
"Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson

"Hobgoblin is a cool word."
- Charlie