My O2ptima Configuration

wreckdiv · 18th March 2007, 21:56

"7) I use standard counterlungs, my sister uses a customized set of counterlungs that have been cutdown in size. My sister threads her counterlungs on the harness and uses the supplied V strap. My counterlungs are not threaded and 'float free' secured only by the top and bottom clips. I have replaced the V strap with two separate clips that use custom adjustable straps and bungie loops mounted on belt slides."

Having used my unit pretty extensively for a wide variety of dives from shallow, deep wreck, to long duration cave penetrations I am convinced that I would be happier with a much smaller volume counterlung. How did your sister customize her's?

Karen

n2diving · 19th March 2007, 13:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv)

"

Having used my unit pretty extensively for a wide variety of dives from shallow, deep wreck, to long duration cave penetrations I am convinced that I would be happier with a much smaller volume counterlung. How did your sister customize her's?

Karen

My sister uses a prototype set that was custom made for her by Dive Rite... It was done by 'restitching' the fabric CL cover, reducing it by one inch on all sides. The original size actual CL bladder was used, but of course it can't expand beyond the size of the cover. Dive Rite will not supply this lung,
it was strictly a prototype for testing by Lisa.

However, Dive Rite has had several requests for smaller CL's particularly as several women have selected the O2ptima. I'm told by the CEO of Dive Rite, Lamar Hires, that a smaller lung is being produced and will be available shortly. The design will include a lower volume bladder and a covering sewn from the outset to be the appropriate size. I understand a limited quantity are being produced. Contact Dive Rite directly about this around the end of March.

-- Mark

wreckdiv · 22nd March 2007, 09:17

Thanks Mark. We spoke to DR about this at the beginning of the month and I got the impression smaller CLs were much further off timewise. I'll check in with Lamar and the gang again at BTS this weekend.

I'm keenly interested because I will need to replace the right CL or valves very soon. The neg pressure test started getting weak and then the CL's began making a very fine high pitch weezing during + tests. I've isolated the problem to the upper valve last week. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do about it. Have you all had to do valve replacements on your CLs?

K

n2diving · 22nd March 2007, 12:02

Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv)

I'm keenly interested because I will need to replace the right CL or valves very soon. The neg pressure test started getting weak and then the CL's began making a very fine high pitch weezing during + tests. I've isolated the problem to the upper valve last week. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do about it. Have you all had to do valve replacements on your CLs?

K

Well, I've had one dil add valve get 'spongy' (i.e. slow to bounce back when depressed) and I replaced it. I've had a couple that were 'loose' that needed to be screwed back in tight. I've had one that slowly dibbled gas, but not into the CL just into the water. All in different units over a very long period of time... I suspect the very fine high pitch sound you hear is the DSV not the CL, pour some water into the mouthpeice while it's upright and the DSV is closed. If the little squeek goes away and bubbles appear, disassemble and clean the DSV.

**JPJones** · 22nd March 2007, 18:57

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

Well, I've had one dil add valve get 'spongy' (i.e. slow to bounce back when depressed) and I replaced it. I've had a couple that were 'loose' that needed to be screwed back in tight. I've had one that slowly dibbled gas, but not into the CL just into the water. All in different units over a very long period of time... I suspect the very fine high pitch sound you hear is the DSV not the CL, pour some water into the mouthpeice while it's upright and the DSV is closed. If the little squeek goes away and bubbles appear, disassemble and clean the DSV.

All of my original valves are still working fine and have been put on 3 different bladders. The only thing is I will now pull them for cleaning every so often my OPV was growing some nasty stuff.

n2diving · 22nd March 2007, 20:08

Quote: (Originally Posted by JPJones)

my OPV was growing some nasty stuff.

Nasty stuff in the OPV? Oh my.... I've never cleaned my OPV.... maybe I can get my sister to clean it...

wreckdiv · 23rd March 2007, 03:20

Thanks guys - now I have a list of more things to do next weekend to see if I can get to the bottom of this - Karen

wreckdiv · 23rd March 2007, 03:26

PS - My dil side is getting that spongey effect as well....so I guess that gets added to the list too...hmmm

**JPJones** · 24th March 2007, 00:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

Nasty stuff in the OPV? Oh my.... I've never cleaned my OPV.... maybe I can get my sister to clean it...

I don't know about that, you must want to live dangeriously.

seafox · 24th March 2007, 10:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving)

Well, I've had one dil add valve get 'spongy' (i.e. slow to bounce back when depressed) and I replaced it. I've had a couple that were 'loose' that needed to be screwed back in tight. I've had one that slowly dibbled gas, but not into the CL just into the water. All in different units over a very long period of time... I suspect the very fine high pitch sound you hear is the DSV not the CL, pour some water into the mouthpeice while it's upright and the DSV is closed. If the little squeek goes away and bubbles appear, disassemble and clean the DSV.

I have experienced that interesting feature as well.

Not having instant access to a well stocked "stockroom" to replace it, and being in the Carribean, I forced some 02 lub into the valves and that seemed to fix the spongy problem. So far anyways!

Cornel

18th March 2007, 21:56	#21 (permalink)
wreckdiv New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Annapolis MD USA Posts: 30	Re: My O2ptima Configuration "7) I use standard counterlungs, my sister uses a customized set of counterlungs that have been cutdown in size. My sister threads her counterlungs on the harness and uses the supplied V strap. My counterlungs are not threaded and 'float free' secured only by the top and bottom clips. I have replaced the V strap with two separate clips that use custom adjustable straps and bungie loops mounted on belt slides." Having used my unit pretty extensively for a wide variety of dives from shallow, deep wreck, to long duration cave penetrations I am convinced that I would be happier with a much smaller volume counterlung. How did your sister customize her's? Karen
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19th March 2007, 13:14	#22 (permalink)
n2diving Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 271	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv) " Having used my unit pretty extensively for a wide variety of dives from shallow, deep wreck, to long duration cave penetrations I am convinced that I would be happier with a much smaller volume counterlung. How did your sister customize her's? Karen My sister uses a prototype set that was custom made for her by Dive Rite... It was done by 'restitching' the fabric CL cover, reducing it by one inch on all sides. The original size actual CL bladder was used, but of course it can't expand beyond the size of the cover. Dive Rite will not supply this lung, it was strictly a prototype for testing by Lisa. However, Dive Rite has had several requests for smaller CL's particularly as several women have selected the O2ptima. I'm told by the CEO of Dive Rite, Lamar Hires, that a smaller lung is being produced and will be available shortly. The design will include a lower volume bladder and a covering sewn from the outset to be the appropriate size. I understand a limited quantity are being produced. Contact Dive Rite directly about this around the end of March. -- Mark Last edited by n2diving : 19th March 2007 at 13:28.
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22nd March 2007, 09:17	#23 (permalink)
wreckdiv New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Annapolis MD USA Posts: 30	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Thanks Mark. We spoke to DR about this at the beginning of the month and I got the impression smaller CLs were much further off timewise. I'll check in with Lamar and the gang again at BTS this weekend. I'm keenly interested because I will need to replace the right CL or valves very soon. The neg pressure test started getting weak and then the CL's began making a very fine high pitch weezing during + tests. I've isolated the problem to the upper valve last week. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do about it. Have you all had to do valve replacements on your CLs? K
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22nd March 2007, 12:02	#24 (permalink)
n2diving Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 271	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Quote: (Originally Posted by wreckdiv) I'm keenly interested because I will need to replace the right CL or valves very soon. The neg pressure test started getting weak and then the CL's began making a very fine high pitch weezing during + tests. I've isolated the problem to the upper valve last week. Now I need to figure out what I'm going to do about it. Have you all had to do valve replacements on your CLs? K Well, I've had one dil add valve get 'spongy' (i.e. slow to bounce back when depressed) and I replaced it. I've had a couple that were 'loose' that needed to be screwed back in tight. I've had one that slowly dibbled gas, but not into the CL just into the water. All in different units over a very long period of time... I suspect the very fine high pitch sound you hear is the DSV not the CL, pour some water into the mouthpeice while it's upright and the DSV is closed. If the little squeek goes away and bubbles appear, disassemble and clean the DSV.
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22nd March 2007, 18:57	#25 (permalink)
JPJones O2ptima Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima Titan Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 367	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving) Well, I've had one dil add valve get 'spongy' (i.e. slow to bounce back when depressed) and I replaced it. I've had a couple that were 'loose' that needed to be screwed back in tight. I've had one that slowly dibbled gas, but not into the CL just into the water. All in different units over a very long period of time... I suspect the very fine high pitch sound you hear is the DSV not the CL, pour some water into the mouthpeice while it's upright and the DSV is closed. If the little squeek goes away and bubbles appear, disassemble and clean the DSV. All of my original valves are still working fine and have been put on 3 different bladders. The only thing is I will now pull them for cleaning every so often my OPV was growing some nasty stuff. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
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22nd March 2007, 20:08	#26 (permalink)
n2diving Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 271	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Quote: (Originally Posted by JPJones) my OPV was growing some nasty stuff. Nasty stuff in the OPV? Oh my.... I've never cleaned my OPV.... maybe I can get my sister to clean it...
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23rd March 2007, 03:20	#27 (permalink)
wreckdiv New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Annapolis MD USA Posts: 30	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Thanks guys - now I have a list of more things to do next weekend to see if I can get to the bottom of this - Karen
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23rd March 2007, 03:26	#28 (permalink)
wreckdiv New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Annapolis MD USA Posts: 30	Re: My O2ptima Configuration PS - My dil side is getting that spongey effect as well....so I guess that gets added to the list too...hmmm
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24th March 2007, 00:11	#29 (permalink)
JPJones O2ptima Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Megalodon Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Optima Titan Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 367	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving) Nasty stuff in the OPV? Oh my.... I've never cleaned my OPV.... maybe I can get my sister to clean it... I don't know about that, you must want to live dangeriously. __________________ NSS/CDS Training Chairman www.jpjscuba.com
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24th March 2007, 10:45	#30 (permalink)
seafox 02ptima Instructor Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: TORONTO, CANADA -Have "02ptima" will travel! Posts: 172	Re: My O2ptima Configuration Quote: (Originally Posted by n2diving) Well, I've had one dil add valve get 'spongy' (i.e. slow to bounce back when depressed) and I replaced it. I've had a couple that were 'loose' that needed to be screwed back in tight. I've had one that slowly dibbled gas, but not into the CL just into the water. All in different units over a very long period of time... I suspect the very fine high pitch sound you hear is the DSV not the CL, pour some water into the mouthpeice while it's upright and the DSV is closed. If the little squeek goes away and bubbles appear, disassemble and clean the DSV. I have experienced that interesting feature as well. Not having instant access to a well stocked "stockroom" to replace it, and being in the Carribean, I forced some 02 lub into the valves and that seemed to fix the spongy problem. So far anyways! Cornel __________________ Protect the SHARKS! Excellence is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction, skillful execution and the vision to see obstacles as opportunities. Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterwards!
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