Basic Dolphin mods [non loop].

**Freef** · 17th March 2006, 05:49

D Rings.

The standard unit comes with four D rings, the plastic ones on the shoulder strap ends and the two metal ones on the bottom of the weight pockets. For convenience I added another six rings. The first ones were on the shoulder straps above the break point and on the waistband outboard of the weight pocket.

Shoulder strap D ring

Waistband D ring

The ones to the outside of the weight pockets were found to be difficult to reach, so I added a second pair to the inboard side as well.

Second D ring on the waist, inboard of the pockets.

These rings were found to be too far forwards for the 7L stage I dive with when I dived with the lower clip attached here. I decided on a fixed D ring at the rear to make getting the stages on and off easier, and replaced both of the outboard rings with fixed items.

Fixed type D rings.

Again, reaching these rings was difficult, so I repositioned the waist strap over the top of the unused trip pocket, which moved the D ring to a better position.

Repositioned waist strap and D rings.

With these combinations of D rings I can mount a 7L stage on the left, which runs my suit gas and deco mix if I am deco diving, or is useful for a lot of bailout gas.

Oxygauge positioning.

I run the oxygauge over my right shoulder. The trouble is that it floats.

The first solution I tried was to put a loop of elastic over the shoulder strap and secure the gauge hose through it, as shown below.

Oxygauge hose retaining loop.

The problems with this were that the gauge face still floated, and getting the loop caught up when I was kitting up was a pain. I tried other ways of positioning the hose until I stuck a knife onto the end of the hose near the meter. This solved the floating problem a treat.

Small knife offsets the buoyancy of the gauge nicely.

‘Tall’ 3L problems.

The tall 3L pony tanks that are easy to come by don’t fit the Drager too well. It took me over a year to source a ‘dumpy’ 3L, and the difference in size is remarkable.

3L ‘tall’ and ‘dumpy’ comparison.

If you are using a tall 3L, then it needs securing into the sock a bit more firmly.

To achieve this I used a piece of bungee that I fitted to the shell and looped over the top of the cylinder before I fitted the regs.

3L tall cylinder restrained by bungee.

This works well, and the routing of the bungee is shown below.

External path of bungee

The loop goes from the knot, through the bottom webbing of the sock, up the outside of the sock and into the shell, returning to the outside at the bottom of the shell, where the knot is.

I left the knot on the outside at the bottom for easy inspection. I now have a 3L ‘dumpy’ so the loop is redundant, but I still tend to use it to add security to the tank.

I tried this for all of five minutes, the hose bend is too sharp where it comes out of the first stage.

**Freef** · 17th March 2006, 05:50

Reg configuration.

I went through many layouts of my three regs before I settled on the current one. The main problem I had with the rebreather reg was stowing the pressure gauge. After trying the hose on the left, where the hose is too long, I tried the right, which made the hose too short. A different length hose was tried, with a console on the end of it, before I decided on the gauge coming over my left shoulder, secured with a loop of bungee. From there the gauge will not go far down, but sits nicely where I can check it by turning my head to the left. I find it useable, but I may go for a longer hose so that it hangs down and mirrors the Oxygauge position.

Pressure gauge comes over left shoulder.

The 3L stage has my console attached. The pressure gauge hose is routed downwards to my right side, and has a depth gauge and compass attached. There is a 90 degree swivel adaptor on the first stage for the wing supply which goes across my shoulders. There is a suit hose fitted as well, in case I have a problem with the 7L stage, or I am not diving with it.

Layout of the 3L regs, note swivel on first stage and short drysuit hose.

The 7L regs are also used as my left hand deco stage regs when I am deco diving with two different deco mixes. The Apeks Egress can be used either way up, and gives a nice breathe. Also from the left is a short drysuit inflator hose. This is my primary suit gas when diving the Dolphin so that I don’t empty the 3L bailout tank.

I also use the 6” hoses on the sideslung pressure gauges, but I may change these to button gauges later.

Configuration when diving with a 7L is with the stage to the left to offset the weight of the 3L on the right. Convention in diving is to have the richest deco mix on the right, but with only one tank, it is simple to use either side.

Main rig set up when diving with 7L stage.

The set up of the rig is more comfortable in the water. The cylinder sits further back then.

Chest area detail.

From the detail picture above it can be seen that the two drysuit hoses are interchangeable. The 3L one is shown as ‘connected’ and the 7L short hose is tucked behind it.

Other add-ons.

Needing somewhere to put the kitchen sink I bought a Bowstone pouch, and it’s huge. Tables, mask, small children are all swallowed up with equal ease. The zip pulls have a ball on a loop making operating with cold hands easier.

I changed the clip buckle for a flip type, and this is left, not right handed in operation. This is to stop confusion with a weightbelt.

I have an LED backup torch strapped to the inflator hose, along with my whistle at the end of the hose. Placing a whistle here means that it is easy to find, and you know you can get it in your mouth.

And finally, nothing would be complete without my warped sense of humour.

With all these mods, I can dive the kit comfortably, such as here at Capernwray, when I was still sorting out the configuration.

Odin · 17th March 2006, 09:21

Good one Dave.
I changed to a backplate and Recwing as I didn't like the original harness.
Paul

magentaseas · 17th March 2006, 11:54

Hi

I like the idea of the Oxy Gauge coming over the shoulder, been considering doing that to my unit. On my one the previous owner has it coming round from the side which leaves the hose sticking out which I personally dont like. I have visions of it getting caught.

Also at the mo it has a 1.5 l cylinder attached for wing/suit inflation and a side slung would be worn for bailout, so it already has several D rings added.
While Im getting used to it I want to keep it simple so Im going to replace the small bottle with a dumpy 3l for inflation and bailout, using an Egress so either I or my buddy can use it.
Theres also the option of having both cylinders attached or...the options seem endless!!

My head hurts!

Basically see how it goes.

sharon

Odin · 17th March 2006, 12:35

Metal sub Ponyclamp on the side of the (Strengthend) case. 3l pony
Same across bottom cylinder for deco gas cylinder.
Oxy 2/Aladin.
Either 4l main gas + 3 l Pony (+/- Deco cylinder)
or 10l (+/- Deco cylinder)
Works for me!

Scuba_Vixen · 17th March 2006, 14:35

Looks good.

I have to agree, the original bc has lots of room for improvement, and we seem to have the same thought process. ..... Properly placed D rings, metal buckle ....

Before I went to the BP adapter and married my Dolphin up to my "gathering dust" Transpac2 and a 40# Oxycheq wing, I did much the same to the original bc to make it more usefull.

A couple things I did that I thought added a lot to the stability of the unit on my back, was to replace that silly string they attach the flaps and bc to the shell with, and add a crotch strap. I scooter, so the crotch strap is needed, but it seemed to help otherwise as well.

Shortening up on the bc inflation hose tidies things up a whole lot as well.

I used #10-24 screws with large washers against the shell and T-nuts inside to replace the string.

The lower row of screws in the picyure hold the G-snaps on.

Darlene

**Freef** · 17th March 2006, 16:35

Quote: (Originally Posted by magentaseas)

I like the idea of the Oxy Gauge coming over the shoulder, been considering doing that to my unit. On my one the previous owner has it coming round from the side which leaves the hose sticking out which I personally dont like. I have visions of it getting caught.sharon

Hi Sharon,

If I get a couple of pics taken tomorrow of me wearing the rig with the oxygauge and pressure gauges in clear view I'll post them here. Convinced the other half to flog his YBOD and get a Drager yet???

David

17th March 2006, 05:49	#1 (permalink)
Freef Custom Title Disallowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land of the Freef, UK. Posts: 1,356	Basic Dolphin mods [non loop]. D Rings. The standard unit comes with four D rings, the plastic ones on the shoulder strap ends and the two metal ones on the bottom of the weight pockets. For convenience I added another six rings. The first ones were on the shoulder straps above the break point and on the waistband outboard of the weight pocket. Shoulder strap D ring Waistband D ring The ones to the outside of the weight pockets were found to be difficult to reach, so I added a second pair to the inboard side as well. Second D ring on the waist, inboard of the pockets. These rings were found to be too far forwards for the 7L stage I dive with when I dived with the lower clip attached here. I decided on a fixed D ring at the rear to make getting the stages on and off easier, and replaced both of the outboard rings with fixed items. Fixed type D rings. Again, reaching these rings was difficult, so I repositioned the waist strap over the top of the unused trip pocket, which moved the D ring to a better position. Repositioned waist strap and D rings. With these combinations of D rings I can mount a 7L stage on the left, which runs my suit gas and deco mix if I am deco diving, or is useful for a lot of bailout gas. Oxygauge positioning. I run the oxygauge over my right shoulder. The trouble is that it floats. The first solution I tried was to put a loop of elastic over the shoulder strap and secure the gauge hose through it, as shown below. Oxygauge hose retaining loop. The problems with this were that the gauge face still floated, and getting the loop caught up when I was kitting up was a pain. I tried other ways of positioning the hose until I stuck a knife onto the end of the hose near the meter. This solved the floating problem a treat. Small knife offsets the buoyancy of the gauge nicely. ‘Tall’ 3L problems. The tall 3L pony tanks that are easy to come by don’t fit the Drager too well. It took me over a year to source a ‘dumpy’ 3L, and the difference in size is remarkable. 3L ‘tall’ and ‘dumpy’ comparison. If you are using a tall 3L, then it needs securing into the sock a bit more firmly. To achieve this I used a piece of bungee that I fitted to the shell and looped over the top of the cylinder before I fitted the regs. 3L tall cylinder restrained by bungee. This works well, and the routing of the bungee is shown below. External path of bungee The loop goes from the knot, through the bottom webbing of the sock, up the outside of the sock and into the shell, returning to the outside at the bottom of the shell, where the knot is. I left the knot on the outside at the bottom for easy inspection. I now have a 3L ‘dumpy’ so the loop is redundant, but I still tend to use it to add security to the tank. I tried this for all of five minutes, the hose bend is too sharp where it comes out of the first stage. __________________ David. Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.
(Offline)

17th March 2006, 05:50	#2 (permalink)
Freef Custom Title Disallowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land of the Freef, UK. Posts: 1,356	Re: Basic Dolphin mods [non loop]. Reg configuration. I went through many layouts of my three regs before I settled on the current one. The main problem I had with the rebreather reg was stowing the pressure gauge. After trying the hose on the left, where the hose is too long, I tried the right, which made the hose too short. A different length hose was tried, with a console on the end of it, before I decided on the gauge coming over my left shoulder, secured with a loop of bungee. From there the gauge will not go far down, but sits nicely where I can check it by turning my head to the left. I find it useable, but I may go for a longer hose so that it hangs down and mirrors the Oxygauge position. Pressure gauge comes over left shoulder. The 3L stage has my console attached. The pressure gauge hose is routed downwards to my right side, and has a depth gauge and compass attached. There is a 90 degree swivel adaptor on the first stage for the wing supply which goes across my shoulders. There is a suit hose fitted as well, in case I have a problem with the 7L stage, or I am not diving with it. Layout of the 3L regs, note swivel on first stage and short drysuit hose. The 7L regs are also used as my left hand deco stage regs when I am deco diving with two different deco mixes. The Apeks Egress can be used either way up, and gives a nice breathe. Also from the left is a short drysuit inflator hose. This is my primary suit gas when diving the Dolphin so that I don’t empty the 3L bailout tank. I also use the 6” hoses on the sideslung pressure gauges, but I may change these to button gauges later. Configuration when diving with a 7L is with the stage to the left to offset the weight of the 3L on the right. Convention in diving is to have the richest deco mix on the right, but with only one tank, it is simple to use either side. Main rig set up when diving with 7L stage. The set up of the rig is more comfortable in the water. The cylinder sits further back then. Chest area detail. From the detail picture above it can be seen that the two drysuit hoses are interchangeable. The 3L one is shown as ‘connected’ and the 7L short hose is tucked behind it. Other add-ons. Needing somewhere to put the kitchen sink I bought a Bowstone pouch, and it’s huge. Tables, mask, small children are all swallowed up with equal ease. The zip pulls have a ball on a loop making operating with cold hands easier. I changed the clip buckle for a flip type, and this is left, not right handed in operation. This is to stop confusion with a weightbelt. I have an LED backup torch strapped to the inflator hose, along with my whistle at the end of the hose. Placing a whistle here means that it is easy to find, and you know you can get it in your mouth. And finally, nothing would be complete without my warped sense of humour. With all these mods, I can dive the kit comfortably, such as here at Capernwray, when I was still sorting out the configuration. __________________ David. Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.
(Offline)

17th March 2006, 09:21	#3 (permalink)
Odin Egbert - the Deco Dancer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: U.K Posts: 142	Re: Basic Dolphin mods [non loop]. Good one Dave. I changed to a backplate and Recwing as I didn't like the original harness. Paul
(Offline)

17th March 2006, 11:54	#4 (permalink)
magentaseas New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: May 2005 Location: London Posts: 56	Re: Basic Dolphin mods [non loop]. Hi I like the idea of the Oxy Gauge coming over the shoulder, been considering doing that to my unit. On my one the previous owner has it coming round from the side which leaves the hose sticking out which I personally dont like. I have visions of it getting caught. Also at the mo it has a 1.5 l cylinder attached for wing/suit inflation and a side slung would be worn for bailout, so it already has several D rings added. While Im getting used to it I want to keep it simple so Im going to replace the small bottle with a dumpy 3l for inflation and bailout, using an Egress so either I or my buddy can use it. Theres also the option of having both cylinders attached or...the options seem endless!! My head hurts! Basically see how it goes. sharon
(Offline)

17th March 2006, 12:35	#5 (permalink)
Odin Egbert - the Deco Dancer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: U.K Posts: 142	Re: Basic Dolphin mods [non loop]. Metal sub Ponyclamp on the side of the (Strengthend) case. 3l pony Same across bottom cylinder for deco gas cylinder. Oxy 2/Aladin. Either 4l main gas + 3 l Pony (+/- Deco cylinder) or 10l (+/- Deco cylinder) Works for me!
(Offline)

17th March 2006, 16:35	#7 (permalink)
Freef Custom Title Disallowed! Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Land of the Freef, UK. Posts: 1,356	Re: Basic Dolphin mods [non loop]. Quote: (Originally Posted by magentaseas) I like the idea of the Oxy Gauge coming over the shoulder, been considering doing that to my unit. On my one the previous owner has it coming round from the side which leaves the hose sticking out which I personally dont like. I have visions of it getting caught.sharon Hi Sharon, If I get a couple of pics taken tomorrow of me wearing the rig with the oxygauge and pressure gauges in clear view I'll post them here. Convinced the other half to flog his YBOD and get a Drager yet??? David __________________ David. Currently owner of two differently sized ankles.
(Offline)

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