Electronics for the KISS

Gareth Davies

Having had my KISS for some 6mths or so, and initially having to rebuild both the unit and the electronics (the old Lascar DPM-1's) I've succedded in flooding the unit and with it two of the sensors and knackered two of the displays.

I'm supposed to be taking it to france a week friday and have the slight problem of a lack of electronics.

Whilst considering what to do I've got a list of options for which I'd like some advice from the forum members.

1. Order some more displays from Lascar and modify them again.
2. Upgrade to the newer backlit display (modifying the boxes)
3. Purchase the new 1atm electronics.

This got me thinking, with the cost of the 1atm being $950, and I'm currently using a buddy nexus, why not upgrade to the shearwater module for a few more $'s.

The thinking is that this would allow me to get the HUD later on in the year, would allow me realtime tracking of the data via the cable and the other bonuses of this.

The question how does the shearwater compare to the VR3, HS, nexus etc? Assuming the cable is similar to a HID, water / condensation would not afffect the computer. I would already have the mix capabilities once I start increasing my He dil past the current 20% heliair used to reduce narcosis (use air tables currently).

Need to ring this afternoon to get some answers on specifics of the shearwater, but the question of redundancy by removing my triple displays and replacing with this unit or am I reading it wrong and you can use them both together?

With the current exchange rates, by the time I purchase some new displays, and maybe sell my spare compters the cost difference isn't going to be too great, and it would save the need to plumb in an external 4th cell in the future.

I need to make some rapid decision otherwise it'll be back to oc and compressor for the trip.

Many thanks
gareth

Andy M

Gareth,

Personally I would never dive a rebreather with a single connection to a single O2 display module (even if it displays all three cells). Too much risk...

If I was buying a shearwater, I'd have a couple of other displays beside it for redundancy in case something happens to the shearwater or its connection. As far as I can tell, from the pics of the shearwater posted recently, that is what is done.

Why dont you just fix two of your displays with a couple of new lascar boards (doesnt cost much) You can also get a two display piece of perspex to give you just two Kiss displays rather than three. Get a shearwater (if you can afford it!) as well.

Andy

__________________
Know your PO2 at all times

Gareth Davies

That's kind where I was coming from. I'd be reluctant to rely on one source effectively. I've tried to ring Bruce but no answer as yet.

It's the description and the user manual that confused me as regards to how you connect it into the current displays and how the HUD would fit into it. Presumably you have the option to hard wire it to all 3, giving you an independent display, or you could use it alone or somewhere in between.

Ben Field

The risk would be in getting the new 1atms displays from Jetsam, mine have been renamed "the tea bags" by my club, due to the colour of the water inside them everytime I go diving.

To me the Shearwater sounds like a much better solution and it is no more "risky" that the currently ultra-floodable displays or another single handset rebreather- like the Inspiration Vision.

The idea of running a shearwater AND something else is good... why not a shearwater plus HUD, VR3 or Revo? Basically why not use two things that have a proven reputation of staying dry inside?


BEN

PS- In case you can't tell yet another of my "new" displayed flooded at the weekend, I don't know why it worked on the previous 5 dives and failed on this one, all that I'd done was turn it off and on and few times, no battery swap, no calibration, nothing.

__________________
www.hugsac.org.uk

RobPot

My two'pennorth:
I intend to use Shearwater GF computer plus VR3 for a bit, then Shearwater plus HUD.
Can't see the point of using the KISS displays anymore, they'll either go on e-bay or gather dust at the bottom of the spares box.
Similar thoughts on the VR3 - probably not an ideal solution to rely on one computer and one O2 sensor for decompression (yes, I do have bottom timer, back-up tables, blah, blah), and I get rid of the P-port.
My way forward: computer running off three cells for deco, computer (HUD) running off three cells for PPO2 (and the usual blah blah tucked away in a pocket ).
Feel free to point out all the inadequacies!

Exactly!

Robert

cameron

I'm with you robpot...


I don't really see the issue with having the shearwater as the only source of Po2 information. I don't understand how this is risky??

Andy M

Doesnt the vision have the actual computer in the head? and if your handset gets chopped off at the cable you can still fly on the HUD? I have not checked...

With the shearwater on its own, if your cable gets chopped youve lost everything. If you run a couple of kiss displays next to it, youve got that redundancy.

Andy

__________________
Know your PO2 at all times

Andy M

Ho ho. I had that problem with my first set of 1atm displays. I am now on my second, and no leaks so far <touch wood>. Have you had them replaced by Jetsam since you got them? If not, you should let Jetsam know that they keep leaking, you might be surprised at what transpires.

Andy

__________________
Know your PO2 at all times

RichClark

Thats the only part that I struggle with, but my understanding is that the HUD works directly with the head, and is not reliant on the computer.

Although Bruce is keeping details quite until it's launch after Inner Space, I'm pretty confident that he's thought of this.

Cheers

Rich

__________________
The more I learn about women, the more I want to go diving... just don't tell my wife I said that

To taste something a little different, try http://www.thechillikitchen.co.uk

Ben Field

Surely if you ran a Shearwater and Jetsam handsets unless you ran the cables via different routes anything rough enough to damage one cable will effect all three, or two, depending how you look at it?

I've ran a cord (much like the pod anti-twist cord) though with my handsets with is slightly shorter than the cables, I can't overstretch them now, I also put beefier spiral wrap on then a sacrificial cable tidy (thin plastic over the outside) seems pretty tough.

Routing the cable tight to the arm seems to limit snagging... I initially though the cable was a massive snag risk, I'm pretty relaxed with it now.

Anyway, is a mute point as my displays and I are not good friends at present

Fortunately Evelyn and Kim at Jetsam give wonderful customer support, explained all the options (I didn't know that the Battery PCB came with a plug now for example) and we're sorting it out- can't praise them enough for helping really.

BEN

__________________
www.hugsac.org.uk