Shearwater Electronics/Setpoint controller

Digger

OK, I don't really want to get into whether it's a good idea or not, just wanted to get some more info.

I saw the rebreather.ca site with some pics, has anyone got one fitted to a KISS and some info on how it does what it does?

I was a big fan of the build quality of the handsets on the Meg, but as I understand it these are built by ISC and get the electronics put in them. Is this the case? If so what is the KISS controller spec like? Is it correct you get a whole new kidney with the controller running from it? Is it solenoid as per most ECCR? If so is this mounted on the kidney, or can it be?

Basically it would be good if anyone has done this to help me out. As at the moment all I have is a few photos from a few years ago which look like they are prototypes and the newer ones are hard to get an idea of scale etc.

And can you keep the manual add etc. KISS valve if you do? What about if you use it as a pure ECCR with an uncompensated 1st stage. It would be nice to be able to remove the problem of depth limitations and training to use a system only to have to modify it. I'd like to make the changes before I go racking up hundreds of hours and then having to relearn, especially if it means mods for deeper dives, as this just isn't going to be safe without the build-up. At least 3 hours will be necessary after any major changes, and that can take a couple of weekends to build up!

Thanks in advance.

Digs.

Digger

Sorry, should add that you should all talk to me like I'm a five year old. Because there is a whole lot of complex talk on here which goes over my head and needs reading twice before the long words make sense.

When the old heads here talk to beginners it's nice and easy for me. And being as these things are expensive I don't want to get an idea which isn't the case.

Cheers.

Mdemon

Shoulda bought an Inspo...

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caveseeker7

The first Shearwater, the big metal box, was tested and used with a KISS.
Might well still be in use. Ron Micjan has a write-up about it on his tmi website.

That's correct, Bruce builds only the electronics, housings are not his field of expertise (that metal box again ). Innerspace made the handsets and installed the electronics.

This was in the past I doubt they are still available as they are not for the Meg. As the Shearwater electronics have found their way to the Divematics Shadow Pack III the case is now made by Divematics. The pictures shows the working prototype being currently tested.


The Shearwater is not a model specific controller. It can pretty much be added to any rebreather, much like the Hammerhead. The main difference between the Meg implementation and the current version is the addition of a secondary display.

Missing in the picture are the HUD and the Spider. The Spider contains the solenoid battery in a round housing about the size of your palm that connects the sensors, handsets, HUD and solenoid.

The handsets each have their own power supply and are backlit. The Shadow Pack III has an external solenoid, so it is setup for that. For the KISS you would just have to find a way to mount it safely out of harm's way.

If you look in the Shearwater gallery you'll see prototypes of KISS adapters for the Shearwater deco computer, I don't see why those couldn't be used for the setpoint controller, too.

If you keep the valve that should be no problem. Have a look at my DEMA report and the pics of the electronic controller shown. They integrated it as a safety parachute only by simply using a T-connector. Solenoid supplied O2 on one side, KISS valve supplied on the other.

Same effect as a KISS valve, gas flow is reduced with increased depth to the point of no flow. The solenoid is just a valve that opens and allows gas to flow.

You could use two 1st stages in line, the compensated one first supplying the solenoid and the uncompensated 1st stage. The latter then supplies the KISS valve. That's how Steve P. set up his MK15.5 after tossing the electronics (except the compensated 1st also supplies the MK's manual O2 add so he has that past 100m too Nicest KISS I know of! ).

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Cheers
Stefan



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Digger

OK, thanks for the responses, does this mean I could get a unit like this: http://www.rebreatherworld.com/galle...mage.php?i=945 and it would be able to control a solenoid (with the necessary hardware)?

Off to look at a hammerhead now. Crap. More options.

And John, shouldn't have bought an inspo, as I explained to Juz my unit was made by an engineer, yours by Fisher Price. I mean yellow. Whose idea was that??? If I can sort out electronic control then effectively what I'll have is a simple ECCR with great build quality and backmounted counterlungs. All I've ever wanted....

Digs.

caveseeker7

The pictures shows the deco computer prototype that Bruce has. Beautiful made metal case, but that won't make it into production I'm afraid. But the idea is pretty much the same, except for three sensor readings rather than one.

But remember these are all prototypes. Last I heard work was done on the controller and SP III combo and on the deco computer. The latter can be fitted like any other cell integrated computer so there are plenty of options out there.

I have nod idea how high on the priority list a KISS adaption is.

Well, it's the one that's available now.

There is a version for the MK15 that has a replacement case for the stock electronics. Remember seing picture of it on Dave Shaw's website, but don't recall the URL. Anyway, the MK has the solenoid outside the loop, too, so that HH version ought to work with the KISS ...

TONKA were yellow too, buster.

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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.!"

sadave

http://www.deepcave.com/pages/4/index.htm is the link to the equipment page on Dave's website. He has quite a bit of info on the mods he made to his 15.5, including the Hammerhead install.

HTH.

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decoweenie

AFAIK, there were only 3 metal cases made for the original Shearwater controller package:

1. One for me
2. One for Alan (CA)
3. One for Bruce

Last year, I have tested my SW and it worked very well with the CK. So far, it is the only GF deco software that I found to match the table perfectly on a square profile (deco cleared within 1-2 mins on quite a few 72m test dives).

However, I couldn't get along with the large metal case so have asked Bruce if I could upgrade it to the new housing when it is ready. So Lynn (Bruce's wife) is using mine as the back-up set.

Not sure if Alan is still using his or not.

The original SW places the metal housing (containing the electronic, battery, solenoid) parallel to the KISS orifice housing. You have a choice of keeping the orifice or blank it out, but use the orifice button as the manual O2 addition.

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bgpartri

The Shearwater GF is definitely coming. Gordon Smith was working on a case for the wrist computer version, and Tracy Robinette was doing a case for the Shadow Pac. Now I will be using Tracy's case for both.

I spent last week working with Tracy on the case and we are very close.

One of the primary markets for the wrist unit is KISS rebreathers. There will be a connection that will allow the monitoring of all three sensors that is particulary aimed at the KISS. There is no solenoid or solenoid connection.

There was a possiblity that Gordon was going to mount a battery and solenoid on the KISS, but I have no idea whether this will happen now.

The case is going to look like the pictures that Caveseeker posted.

As soon as we actually place the order for a production run of cases, I will be letting people know.

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Steve

Did any of the purchacers of the Hammerhead for the KISS actually get it up and running? I didn't.

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