Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone?????

chunter · 22nd February 2007, 03:32

I've been doing some work to see who may be able to make new spheres. While I think that Colkan would likely be the best place to try for new inconel spheres, I may have found somewhere to get steel spheres made to the same specifications. If I only want two, its something totally crazy like $3,400 EACH, however, if I put together an order of 20, they would end up being $1,500 each. I think they would be DOT approved.

I don't know how many people would be interested in having steel spheres for that price ($1,500 each), so I just wanted to see the response. Please reply to this post if you may be interested, or if you have found a better place to get spheres.

Aloha,
Charlie

decoweenie · 22nd February 2007, 04:29

Unless my source has dried up, I could get composite spheres for ~US$1000/each if it helps. They come with DIN valves.

Some minimum order is required, can't remember but probably around 6-8...

chunter · 22nd February 2007, 05:12

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Unless my source has dried up, I could get composite spheres for ~US$1000/each if it helps. They come with DIN valves.

Some minimum order is required, can't remember but probably around 6-8...

I don't know how well the composite spheres work with hard plumbing or if you can use them on Mark 15.5s and 16s. Is there any reason you couldn't put pillar valves on the composite tanks? Do you know what the dimensions of the composite spheres are?

decoweenie · 22nd February 2007, 05:37

Quote: (Originally Posted by chunter)

I don't know how well the composite spheres work with hard plumbing or if you can use them on Mark 15.5s and 16s. Is there any reason you couldn't put pillar valves on the composite tanks? Do you know what the dimensions of the composite spheres are?

You recently bought a MK15.5 correct ? Then the composite spheres should fit. The only person I know has a MK-16 is KJ.

When I had my MK-15, I had the reg changed out to Apeks-DIN and used DIN spheres. See pic...

chunter · 22nd February 2007, 06:37

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

You recently bought a MK15.5 correct ? Then the composite spheres should fit. The only person I know has a MK-16 is KJ.

When I had my MK-15, I had the reg changed out to Apeks-DIN and used DIN spheres. See pic...

Thanks for the pics. I have a MK 15.5 on order that I'll hopefully be getting soon. It is coming with spheres, but I'm a bit paranoid and it would be really nice to have an extra set. When it shows up I'll see what modificaions I'd have to make (if any) to make composite spheres work. Is there any chance of you taking a measurement of the diameter or circumferance of one of your spheres?

Thanks again,
Charlie

decoweenie · 22nd February 2007, 07:37

Quote: (Originally Posted by chunter)

Is there any chance of you taking a measurement of the diameter or circumferance of one of your spheres?

I sold the MK-15 years ago, but I also had the Inconel spheres as well. They both fit in same space.

heyydude · 22nd February 2007, 12:34

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

You recently bought a MK15.5 correct ? Then the composite spheres should fit. The only person I know has a MK-16 is KJ.

When I had my MK-15, I had the reg changed out to Apeks-DIN and used DIN spheres. See pic...

Ahhh, Phi.....

There's one o' me babies.... Makes me wanna cry, seein' her all pretty like that....

sniff.....

Kevin.

koputai · 23rd February 2007, 00:06

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

I sold the MK-15 years ago, but I also had the Inconel spheres as well. They both fit in same space.

Phi's Mk15 had floating 1st stages, whereas the Mk15.5 has mounted and hard plumbed 1st stages. The pillar valve has to be just right for the spheres to fit in. Unless someone has already tried the 15.5 with composites (maybe one of the HK boys?), you'll just have to suck it and see.

Cheers,
Jason.

chunter · 23rd February 2007, 00:43

Quote: (Originally Posted by koputai)

Phi's Mk15 had floating 1st stages, whereas the Mk15.5 has mounted and hard plumbed 1st stages. The pillar valve has to be just right for the spheres to fit in. Unless someone has already tried the 15.5 with composites (maybe one of the HK boys?), you'll just have to suck it and see.

Cheers,
Jason.

Thanks Jason, that's what I thought. Besides, for the $500 difference, I think I'd go for steel (that is assuming I can find 9 other people to buy 2 tanks each (or 4.5 people to buy 4 each)).

**Dave Sutton** · 23rd February 2007, 01:07

Plus the composites are 300 BAR (2 litre internal voume, not 200 BAR 3 litres as are the steel/inconel), and are not truly compatable for salt water use. Good luck getting 300 BAR gas... 02 especially.

With that said, one set of spheres is plenty. Just carry alu 80's of mix and 02 and transfill.

I recognize those Draeger firefighting valves in Phi's old Inconels... old Kleinkonish valves sent to me by Matthias, rethreaded on my old lathe, and then sent back to Matthias..... ;-). I still have 50 of them if anyone else needs DIN valves for Mark-15 spheres.

Personally, I prefer the flex hoses on the first stages. Makes servicing the rig lots easier. Mark-15.5 can be backdated with ease. It may seem retrograde, but in my opinion it's an improvement. Allows better regulators to be used also.

Dave

22nd February 2007, 03:32	#1 (permalink)
chunter I like diving Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Honolulu Posts: 465	Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? I've been doing some work to see who may be able to make new spheres. While I think that Colkan would likely be the best place to try for new inconel spheres, I may have found somewhere to get steel spheres made to the same specifications. If I only want two, its something totally crazy like $3,400 EACH, however, if I put together an order of 20, they would end up being $1,500 each. I think they would be DOT approved. I don't know how many people would be interested in having steel spheres for that price ($1,500 each), so I just wanted to see the response. Please reply to this post if you may be interested, or if you have found a better place to get spheres. Aloha, Charlie __________________ "Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson "Hobgoblin is a cool word." - Charlie
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22nd February 2007, 04:29	#2 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Unless my source has dried up, I could get composite spheres for ~US$1000/each if it helps. They come with DIN valves. Some minimum order is required, can't remember but probably around 6-8... __________________ "...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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22nd February 2007, 05:12	#3 (permalink)
chunter I like diving Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Honolulu Posts: 465	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Unless my source has dried up, I could get composite spheres for ~US$1000/each if it helps. They come with DIN valves. Some minimum order is required, can't remember but probably around 6-8... I don't know how well the composite spheres work with hard plumbing or if you can use them on Mark 15.5s and 16s. Is there any reason you couldn't put pillar valves on the composite tanks? Do you know what the dimensions of the composite spheres are? __________________ "Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson "Hobgoblin is a cool word." - Charlie Last edited by chunter : 22nd February 2007 at 05:29.
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22nd February 2007, 06:37	#5 (permalink)
chunter I like diving Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Honolulu Posts: 465	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) You recently bought a MK15.5 correct ? Then the composite spheres should fit. The only person I know has a MK-16 is KJ. When I had my MK-15, I had the reg changed out to Apeks-DIN and used DIN spheres. See pic... Thanks for the pics. I have a MK 15.5 on order that I'll hopefully be getting soon. It is coming with spheres, but I'm a bit paranoid and it would be really nice to have an extra set. When it shows up I'll see what modificaions I'd have to make (if any) to make composite spheres work. Is there any chance of you taking a measurement of the diameter or circumferance of one of your spheres? Thanks again, Charlie __________________ "Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson "Hobgoblin is a cool word." - Charlie
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22nd February 2007, 12:34	#7 (permalink)
heyydude King of the Geeks Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Addison, Pennsylvania Posts: 337	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) You recently bought a MK15.5 correct ? Then the composite spheres should fit. The only person I know has a MK-16 is KJ. When I had my MK-15, I had the reg changed out to Apeks-DIN and used DIN spheres. See pic... Ahhh, Phi..... There's one o' me babies.... Makes me wanna cry, seein' her all pretty like that.... sniff..... Kevin.
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23rd February 2007, 00:06	#8 (permalink)
koputai Subsea Systems Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other CCR Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Other SCR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 320	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) I sold the MK-15 years ago, but I also had the Inconel spheres as well. They both fit in same space. Phi's Mk15 had floating 1st stages, whereas the Mk15.5 has mounted and hard plumbed 1st stages. The pillar valve has to be just right for the spheres to fit in. Unless someone has already tried the 15.5 with composites (maybe one of the HK boys?), you'll just have to suck it and see. Cheers, Jason.
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23rd February 2007, 00:43	#9 (permalink)
chunter I like diving Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Evolution Classic Kiss Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Honolulu Posts: 465	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Quote: (Originally Posted by koputai) Phi's Mk15 had floating 1st stages, whereas the Mk15.5 has mounted and hard plumbed 1st stages. The pillar valve has to be just right for the spheres to fit in. Unless someone has already tried the 15.5 with composites (maybe one of the HK boys?), you'll just have to suck it and see. Cheers, Jason. Thanks Jason, that's what I thought. Besides, for the $500 difference, I think I'd go for steel (that is assuming I can find 9 other people to buy 2 tanks each (or 4.5 people to buy 4 each)). __________________ "Foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Emerson "Hobgoblin is a cool word." - Charlie
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23rd February 2007, 01:07	#10 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Living on Animal Farm Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss MK 15.X rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Azimuth Home Build Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Narragansett, Rhode Island and Hackettstown, New Jersey Posts: 2,637	Re: Mark 15, 15.5, 16 Spheres...anyone????? Plus the composites are 300 BAR (2 litre internal voume, not 200 BAR 3 litres as are the steel/inconel), and are not truly compatable for salt water use. Good luck getting 300 BAR gas... 02 especially. With that said, one set of spheres is plenty. Just carry alu 80's of mix and 02 and transfill. I recognize those Draeger firefighting valves in Phi's old Inconels... old Kleinkonish valves sent to me by Matthias, rethreaded on my old lathe, and then sent back to Matthias..... ;-). I still have 50 of them if anyone else needs DIN valves for Mark-15 spheres. Personally, I prefer the flex hoses on the first stages. Makes servicing the rig lots easier. Mark-15.5 can be backdated with ease. It may seem retrograde, but in my opinion it's an improvement. Allows better regulators to be used also. Dave __________________ On a diving safari for a few months... will likely not read PM's... so email me at RedStarAviation at GMail dot Com to find me...... Last edited by Dave Sutton : 23rd February 2007 at 01:13.
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