MK 15.5 rebuild

Jakub · 25th April 2007, 10:57

Hi list and MK15.5 users,

well guys the Colkan MK15.5 unit sitting in front of us in machine shop :-) and have some questions for the MK15.5 "pilots". The Cooper hoses on the table as well :-)

Looks as a really different diameter between the Cooper hoses and the hose connectors. How the Cooper "pilots" secure them? Any safe solution?

By the way does anybody replaced the regulators to DIN one?

Thanks for the recommendations,

Jakub

SteveL · 25th April 2007, 11:32

cant see a good reason to change the yoke fittings - they are well protected and the max pressure in the spheres is only 200bar anyway

Cooper hoses - just put them on - see pics below

S

decoweenie · 25th April 2007, 11:48

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jakub)

Any safe solution?

By the way does anybody replaced the regulators to DIN one?

I have always used a special tape (forgot the name, will check tonight for you) the wrap the connectors if they are a little smaller than the hose ID.

This tape is similar to electrical tape, but thicker and more pliable. I just bought a bunch in Houston when I was there...

Once wrapped, they bond to itself and form a watertight ring. Slip the hose over and tighten the clamp. Done!

On my MK-15, Kevin J replaced the regs to Apeks DIN since I was using the DIN valves on the composite and Iconel spheres. They are much better regs...

Jakub · 25th April 2007, 12:21

Hi Phi,

thanks for the reply and please check the special type for me.

Hope that you enjoying the Meg pedestal :-)

Cheers,

Jakub

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

I have always used a special tape (forgot the name, will check tonight for you) the wrap the connectors if they are a little smaller than the hose ID.

This tape is similar to electrical tape, but thicker and more pliable. I just bought a bunch in Houston when I was there...

Once wrapped, they bond to itself and form a watertight ring. Slip the hose over and tighten the clamp. Done!

On my MK-15, Kevin J replaced the regs to Apeks DIN since I was using the DIN valves on the composite and Iconel spheres. They are much better regs...

Jakub · 25th April 2007, 12:42

Hi Steve,

nice to hear you again and hope you are well. No problem with the yoke just asking for my experience :-) Saw some pictures somewhere.

Phi just described the possible way with the tape. No necessity to squeeze the hose on the connector.

By the way just finished the clips modification like you. Works great thanks a lot for the pictures :-)

Cheers,

Jakub

Quote: (Originally Posted by SteveL)

cant see a good reason to change the yoke fittings - they are well protected and the max pressure in the spheres is only 200bar anyway

Cooper hoses - just put them on - see pics below

S

**Dave Sutton** · 25th April 2007, 13:35

Hose Diameter from Cooper is substantially larger than standard Mark-15 fittings, but "nearly" the same as Mark-16 fittings. If you have -16 fittings on the 15.5 you are OK. You don't even need to use tape, in fact should not. Simply clamp them, the clamp will take up the slack. True Mark-15 fittings need to be reworked to handle the Cooper hoses... hopefully this is not the case. DO NOT USE TAPE. You want the diameter of the hose clamp when tightened to be SMALLER than the diameter of the little ridge on the fitting... and that little ridge is not that "tall" so make sure it still exists if you do decide to use tape. You don't want this baby pulling off! Tape is simply not needed. Use bicycle tire inner tube rubber over the hose clamps so you don;t cut your hands when working on them later. I use a small strip UNDER the clamps as well to keep the clamps from cutting into the Coopr hose cuffs.

I refitted my diluent regulators to Poseidon 300's and left the 02 regs the same. With the 300's on diluent I generally use DIN speheres for diluent and yoke spheres for 02. Saves any screw-up. The 300 first stages fit *perfectly*, either with their yoke adapter installed or not, and they have a *really* nice feature that might not be obvious: They are ported 1/8 BSP, not 3/8-24 UNF. This makes getting an adapter from that first stage to the normal Biomarine pneumatics a snap: 1/8 BST to 1/8 NPT stainless steel adapters are off the shelf from McMaster-Carr. 3/8 UNF to 1/8 NPT fittings as would be used on a normal regulator are unobtailable. Plus, the old Poseidon adapters from 1/8 BSP to 3/8 UNF are still around and allow the old syle small HP port on the 300 first stage to be used with the existing HP gauge lines. Makes it all very tidy..... plus they are hex-key adjustable for intermediate pressure and can be bought cheaply on Ebay, etc.

Dave

**trob09** · 25th April 2007, 13:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton)

3/8 UNF to 1/8 NPT fittings as would be used on a normal regulator are unobtailable.

Dave

Saw these at M&J the other day while looking for something else:

ADT-2016 Adapter 3/8-24 Male TO 1/8" NPT Female, Low Pressure

decoweenie · 25th April 2007, 14:23

Jakub,

PM me if you want to know the info about the tape, I don't want to get into a pissing match.

Drmike · 25th April 2007, 16:35

Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie)

Jakub,

PM me if you want to know the info about the tape, I don't want to get into a pissing match.

fun with 'watersports' aside

, I have to agree with dave (as usual).

Tape is a bad idea if it means losing the additional (and far superior) 'grip' provided by the ridge.

decoweenie · 25th April 2007, 16:52

No worries, Mike.

I only have dive with it for almost 10 years since Tracy Robinette showed me, on multiple units/connections, past 100m... Much stronger connection than a lot of manufacturer method that I have seen

It is at ambient, and there is no real pressure across it. Just like the KISS calibration plug that we fixed with practically gaffer tape that worked for 6 months+.

25th April 2007, 10:57	#1 (permalink)
Jakub New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Megalodon MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Czech Republic, Prague Posts: 84	MK 15.5 rebuild Hi list and MK15.5 users, well guys the Colkan MK15.5 unit sitting in front of us in machine shop :-) and have some questions for the MK15.5 "pilots". The Cooper hoses on the table as well :-) Looks as a really different diameter between the Cooper hoses and the hose connectors. How the Cooper "pilots" secure them? Any safe solution? By the way does anybody replaced the regulators to DIN one? Thanks for the recommendations, Jakub
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25th April 2007, 11:48	#3 (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: MK 15.5 rebuild Quote: (Originally Posted by Jakub) Any safe solution? By the way does anybody replaced the regulators to DIN one? I have always used a special tape (forgot the name, will check tonight for you) the wrap the connectors if they are a little smaller than the hose ID. This tape is similar to electrical tape, but thicker and more pliable. I just bought a bunch in Houston when I was there... Once wrapped, they bond to itself and form a watertight ring. Slip the hose over and tighten the clamp. Done! On my MK-15, Kevin J replaced the regs to Apeks DIN since I was using the DIN valves on the composite and Iconel spheres. They are much better regs... __________________ "...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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25th April 2007, 12:21	#4 (permalink)
Jakub New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Megalodon MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Czech Republic, Prague Posts: 84	Re: MK 15.5 rebuild Hi Phi, thanks for the reply and please check the special type for me. Hope that you enjoying the Meg pedestal :-) Cheers, Jakub Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) I have always used a special tape (forgot the name, will check tonight for you) the wrap the connectors if they are a little smaller than the hose ID. This tape is similar to electrical tape, but thicker and more pliable. I just bought a bunch in Houston when I was there... Once wrapped, they bond to itself and form a watertight ring. Slip the hose over and tighten the clamp. Done! On my MK-15, Kevin J replaced the regs to Apeks DIN since I was using the DIN valves on the composite and Iconel spheres. They are much better regs...
(Offline)

25th April 2007, 12:42	#5 (permalink)
Jakub New Member Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Inspiration Vision Megalodon MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Join Date: May 2005 Location: Czech Republic, Prague Posts: 84	Re: MK 15.5 rebuild Hi Steve, nice to hear you again and hope you are well. No problem with the yoke just asking for my experience :-) Saw some pictures somewhere. Phi just described the possible way with the tape. No necessity to squeeze the hose on the connector. By the way just finished the clips modification like you. Works great thanks a lot for the pictures :-) Cheers, Jakub Quote: (Originally Posted by SteveL) cant see a good reason to change the yoke fittings - they are well protected and the max pressure in the spheres is only 200bar anyway Cooper hoses - just put them on - see pics below S
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25th April 2007, 13:35	#6 (permalink)
Dave Sutton Diveshop of Horrors 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: 2,688	Re: MK 15.5 rebuild Hose Diameter from Cooper is substantially larger than standard Mark-15 fittings, but "nearly" the same as Mark-16 fittings. If you have -16 fittings on the 15.5 you are OK. You don't even need to use tape, in fact should not. Simply clamp them, the clamp will take up the slack. True Mark-15 fittings need to be reworked to handle the Cooper hoses... hopefully this is not the case. DO NOT USE TAPE. You want the diameter of the hose clamp when tightened to be SMALLER than the diameter of the little ridge on the fitting... and that little ridge is not that "tall" so make sure it still exists if you do decide to use tape. You don't want this baby pulling off! Tape is simply not needed. Use bicycle tire inner tube rubber over the hose clamps so you don;t cut your hands when working on them later. I use a small strip UNDER the clamps as well to keep the clamps from cutting into the Coopr hose cuffs. I refitted my diluent regulators to Poseidon 300's and left the 02 regs the same. With the 300's on diluent I generally use DIN speheres for diluent and yoke spheres for 02. Saves any screw-up. The 300 first stages fit perfectly, either with their yoke adapter installed or not, and they have a really nice feature that might not be obvious: They are ported 1/8 BSP, not 3/8-24 UNF. This makes getting an adapter from that first stage to the normal Biomarine pneumatics a snap: 1/8 BST to 1/8 NPT stainless steel adapters are off the shelf from McMaster-Carr. 3/8 UNF to 1/8 NPT fittings as would be used on a normal regulator are unobtailable. Plus, the old Poseidon adapters from 1/8 BSP to 3/8 UNF are still around and allow the old syle small HP port on the 300 first stage to be used with the existing HP gauge lines. Makes it all very tidy..... plus they are hex-key adjustable for intermediate pressure and can be bought cheaply on Ebay, etc. Dave __________________ "Changes in Lattitudes, Changes in Attitudes, Nothing remains quite the same".... www.nobubblediving.com Last edited by Dave Sutton : 25th April 2007 at 13:40.
(Online)

25th April 2007, 13:49	#7 (permalink)
trob09 . Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 703	Re: MK 15.5 rebuild Quote: (Originally Posted by Dave Sutton) 3/8 UNF to 1/8 NPT fittings as would be used on a normal regulator are unobtailable. Dave Saw these at M&J the other day while looking for something else: ADT-2016 Adapter 3/8-24 Male TO 1/8" NPT Female, Low Pressure
(Offline)

25th April 2007, 14:23	#8 (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: MK 15.5 rebuild Jakub, PM me if you want to know the info about the tape, I don't want to get into a pissing match. __________________ "...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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25th April 2007, 16:35	#9 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,300	Re: MK 15.5 rebuild Quote: (Originally Posted by decoweenie) Jakub, PM me if you want to know the info about the tape, I don't want to get into a pissing match. fun with 'watersports' aside , I have to agree with dave (as usual). Tape is a bad idea if it means losing the additional (and far superior) 'grip' provided by the ridge. __________________ Cave diving is a sport Wreck diving is a sport Diving in general is a sport 'Rebreather diving' is not a sport its the delusional obsession with a highly dangerous and often inappropriate piece of equipment
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25th April 2007, 16:52	#10 (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: MK 15.5 rebuild No worries, Mike. I only have dive with it for almost 10 years since Tracy Robinette showed me, on multiple units/connections, past 100m... Much stronger connection than a lot of manufacturer method that I have seen It is at ambient, and there is no real pressure across it. Just like the KISS calibration plug that we fixed with practically gaffer tape that worked for 6 months+. __________________ "...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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