MK 15 - worth getting?

**trob09** · 22nd March 2005, 19:01

Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7)

Steam Machines sold the last SM1600 in 2002, so I don't know just how old the following price quote is. Tavco Inconnel flask sold for $1,049. each with a minimum order of 50. Quote was good for 30 days as inconnel prices fluctuate quite a bit.

Steam Machines had about 20 or so of them left when moving to TN, I loaded those myself. I'm not sure what the plans are for them, but if anyone is serious they can contact SMI, link in the links section.

You'll also need the pillar valves for them that fit into the MK, or change the them over to fit normal first stages.

From what I gather from Christina's post, they come without secondaries, which are not cheap, either. SMI has replacement gauges, maybe even the original housings left. Figure around $500 for one of those.

As I said in the other threads, if they've been mothballed for 15 years they may be unused, but not new. All seals need to be checked and probably replaced, and the diaphram (counterlung) may have dried out, too. Those for example are hard to source, and usually expensive (SMI paid over $400 for MK15.5 lungs when they could still get them, prices several hundred dollars higher aren't unheard of).

The analog electronics of the MK15 are pretty much junk. Most up-to-date replacement would be the HH, not cheap either ... plus likely the rest of the electronic components should be replaced. Lower wattage solenoid, horseshoe board ....

It can really add up fast if you want a "perfect" MK15.
And keeping it in shape will neither be convenient, easy or cheap.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll stick with the Meg for now. It looked (for a brief, brief moment) that I might be able to 'double my pleasure' for not too much more $$.

Alas, nothing in life is free. I'm sure to have my hands full (to go with my empty pockets) with the Meg anyway...

Tim

seakrakken · 17th May 2005, 22:31

I should have read this thread before I thought to get a MK15! In for a penny in for a pound

***caveseeker7*** · 18th May 2005, 00:50

Quote: (Originally Posted by seakrakken)

I should have read this thread before I thought to get a MK15! In for a penny in for a pound

Did you get one of the e-bay rigs?
What shape is it in?

seakrakken · 18th May 2005, 04:15

Yes and No. It was an Ebay purchase but not from the batch that was up for sale in May. This one is from a diveshop that is closing it's doors. It is promised to be in working condition and includes the tanks that go with it. I have not received it yet but, the deal is struck.

Mark Chase · 18th May 2005, 07:23

You should ask Digger about these, i think he was planning on getting the lot untill the chap figured out how much they were worth

ATB

Mark Chase

lizardland · 25th June 2005, 00:17

Unless he's planning on selling to an eccentric millionaire (or gullible sccoby), the amount of work they'll probably need to get them running as anything other than a dodgy homebuild makes them worth feck all in the real world.

P6017 · 25th June 2005, 01:31

Quote: (Originally Posted by seakrakken)

Yes and No. It was an Ebay purchase but not from the batch that was up for sale in May. This one is from a diveshop that is closing it's doors. It is promised to be in working condition and includes the tanks that go with it. I have not received it yet but, the deal is struck.

this isnt the ebay ad that promises a mk-15 for $980.00 shipped is it?

***caveseeker7*** · 25th June 2005, 02:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland)

... the amount of work they'll probably need to get them running as anything other than a dodgy homebuild makes them worth feck all in the real world.

The MK15 design has stood the test of time pretty well.
It's leages ahead of any homebuild I've seen, and I consider the design basics better than some commercially available designs that have been designed since.
The successor, the MK15.5, would still be my choice over most CCRs today if available.
(not counting the odd unit that Colkan builds every once in a while)

The15s are absolutely beautifully made, the all metal center section makes even a Meg look lame.

But the 15s are old units that need upgrading, and you better know exactly what you're doing when fiddling with them. There are maybe two or three people I would let do work on mine if I had one, and I would not even consider doing it myself. Which is a major reason why I wouldn't want one. Except as a collector's item.

stats1984 · 13th June 2006, 17:33

Stefan,

Could you elaborate more about the Colkan Mk15.5? From your post, I can not understand if you like the unit or not. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

***caveseeker7*** · 13th June 2006, 21:52

MK15.5 have been build by a whole bunch of companies, among them Charleton Technologies, Steam Machines and Colkan. The original manufacturer was Rexnord, and they made the molds and parts everyone else has been using since. That's what the 20 or so SM1600 where made of. So the basic unit is the same, case colors were changed here and there.

The biggest difference are the electronics. The only ones I know are the SM1600 electronics (very close to the PRISM's), I don't know Colkan's. But I asume they're basically the same. These days they use a digital secondary which has its moments, analog gauges can be hard to come by.

So yes, I most likely do like the Colkan, probably a lot.

22nd March 2005, 19:01	#11 (permalink)
trob09 . Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 703	Quote: (Originally Posted by caveseeker7) Steam Machines sold the last SM1600 in 2002, so I don't know just how old the following price quote is. Tavco Inconnel flask sold for $1,049. each with a minimum order of 50. Quote was good for 30 days as inconnel prices fluctuate quite a bit. Steam Machines had about 20 or so of them left when moving to TN, I loaded those myself. I'm not sure what the plans are for them, but if anyone is serious they can contact SMI, link in the links section. You'll also need the pillar valves for them that fit into the MK, or change the them over to fit normal first stages. From what I gather from Christina's post, they come without secondaries, which are not cheap, either. SMI has replacement gauges, maybe even the original housings left. Figure around $500 for one of those. As I said in the other threads, if they've been mothballed for 15 years they may be unused, but not new. All seals need to be checked and probably replaced, and the diaphram (counterlung) may have dried out, too. Those for example are hard to source, and usually expensive (SMI paid over $400 for MK15.5 lungs when they could still get them, prices several hundred dollars higher aren't unheard of). The analog electronics of the MK15 are pretty much junk. Most up-to-date replacement would be the HH, not cheap either ... plus likely the rest of the electronic components should be replaced. Lower wattage solenoid, horseshoe board .... It can really add up fast if you want a "perfect" MK15. And keeping it in shape will neither be convenient, easy or cheap. Thanks for the info. I think I'll stick with the Meg for now. It looked (for a brief, brief moment) that I might be able to 'double my pleasure' for not too much more $$. Alas, nothing in life is free. I'm sure to have my hands full (to go with my empty pockets) with the Meg anyway... Tim
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17th May 2005, 22:31	#12 (permalink)
seakrakken Bob in Dallas Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12	I should have read this thread before I thought to get a MK15! In for a penny in for a pound
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18th May 2005, 00:50	#13 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,496	Quote: (Originally Posted by seakrakken) I should have read this thread before I thought to get a MK15! In for a penny in for a pound Did you get one of the e-bay rigs? What shape is it in? __________________ 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.!"
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18th May 2005, 04:15	#14 (permalink)
seakrakken Bob in Dallas Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12	Yes and No. It was an Ebay purchase but not from the batch that was up for sale in May. This one is from a diveshop that is closing it's doors. It is promised to be in working condition and includes the tanks that go with it. I have not received it yet but, the deal is struck.
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18th May 2005, 07:23	#15 (permalink)
Mark Chase I go down for ages Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kent Posts: 2,693	You should ask Digger about these, i think he was planning on getting the lot untill the chap figured out how much they were worth ATB Mark Chase __________________ Is it supposed to make that noise ? I took my unit to the dive shop and demanded they bolt on every thing that would fit. Join my elite diving teem and get a Tshirt "Doing It Chasey"Hammerhead Eccr Advanced Diving System
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25th June 2005, 00:17	#16 (permalink)
lizardland Yak Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: North... Posts: 1,302	Unless he's planning on selling to an eccentric millionaire (or gullible sccoby), the amount of work they'll probably need to get them running as anything other than a dodgy homebuild makes them worth feck all in the real world.
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25th June 2005, 01:31	#17 (permalink)
P6017 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA Posts: 83	Quote: (Originally Posted by seakrakken) Yes and No. It was an Ebay purchase but not from the batch that was up for sale in May. This one is from a diveshop that is closing it's doors. It is promised to be in working condition and includes the tanks that go with it. I have not received it yet but, the deal is struck. this isnt the ebay ad that promises a mk-15 for $980.00 shipped is it?
(Online)

25th June 2005, 02:09	#18 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,496	Quote: (Originally Posted by lizardland) ... the amount of work they'll probably need to get them running as anything other than a dodgy homebuild makes them worth feck all in the real world. The MK15 design has stood the test of time pretty well. It's leages ahead of any homebuild I've seen, and I consider the design basics better than some commercially available designs that have been designed since. The successor, the MK15.5, would still be my choice over most CCRs today if available. (not counting the odd unit that Colkan builds every once in a while) The15s are absolutely beautifully made, the all metal center section makes even a Meg look lame. But the 15s are old units that need upgrading, and you better know exactly what you're doing when fiddling with them. There are maybe two or three people I would let do work on mine if I had one, and I would not even consider doing it myself. Which is a major reason why I wouldn't want one. Except as a collector's item. __________________ 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.!"
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13th June 2006, 17:33	#19 (permalink)
stats1984 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 11	Re: MK 15 - worth getting? Stefan, Could you elaborate more about the Colkan Mk15.5? From your post, I can not understand if you like the unit or not. Any input or advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks
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13th June 2006, 21:52	#20 (permalink)
*caveseeker7* Who loves ya, baby Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Too far from Neverland Posts: 5,496	Re: MK 15 - worth getting? MK15.5 have been build by a whole bunch of companies, among them Charleton Technologies, Steam Machines and Colkan. The original manufacturer was Rexnord, and they made the molds and parts everyone else has been using since. That's what the 20 or so SM1600 where made of. So the basic unit is the same, case colors were changed here and there. The biggest difference are the electronics. The only ones I know are the SM1600 electronics (very close to the PRISM's), I don't know Colkan's. But I asume they're basically the same. These days they use a digital secondary which has its moments, analog gauges can be hard to come by. So yes, I most likely do like the Colkan, probably a lot. __________________ 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.!"
(Offline)

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