Drager and backplate build

jar_uk1 · 30th June 2006, 13:53

I dont know if anyone is interested, but I took pictures while I was assembling the drager with my new V4tec backplate, I also took pics with the different hose extenders (45 degree and 90 Degree) fitted.

If anyone wants to take a peek, they are here...

http://www.johnralston.com/Site/Drager.html

My first OW dives with the modified unit were at the weekend. I had a cracking few dives including the St Dunstan, the M2, and Sidon.(max depth 33m or 108ft) It felt very comfortable in the water, no problems with the breathing, and the new weight pouches sorted the orientation of the unit.

Apologies for the photography (and some of the text!) It was thrown together although iweb makes the worst web pages look passable.

Let me know if you find it useful

John R

mortenkjerulff · 30th June 2006, 15:53

Hi John.

Thanks.

I have the 90 degree angles and V4tec backplate adaptor myself. I was in doubt about buying the 45 degree or 90 degree angles, but I see from your pictures that I made the right choise :-)

Happy diving.

Morten

Quote: (Originally Posted by jar_uk1)

I dont know if anyone is interested, but I took pictures while I was assembling the drager with my new V4tec backplate, I also took pics with the different hose extenders (45 degree and 90 Degree) fitted.

If anyone wants to take a peek, they are here...

http://www.johnralston.com/Site/Drager.html

My first OW dives with the modified unit were at the weekend. I had a cracking few dives including the St Dunstan, the M2, and Sidon.(max depth 33m or 108ft) It felt very comfortable in the water, no problems with the breathing, and the new weight pouches sorted the orientation of the unit.

Apologies for the photography (and some of the text!) It was thrown together although iweb makes the worst web pages look passable.

Let me know if you find it useful

John R

dan@scuba-training.net · 30th June 2006, 16:24

Nice work, sir!

Odin · 30th June 2006, 17:41

Excellent.
I did similar with my Dolphin.
The back plate made it so much easier.
I also fitted a webbing handle through the top slots on the case, and had a weight pouch (similar to the inspiration) on the top to aid balance.

A lovely rig to dive - but I've now joined the yellow side...

curator · 30th June 2006, 18:58

I've seen it in the flesh and can say its a neat well done unit.

Nice one John.

By the way, that Drager cyinder was excellent at 30 meters on the Thesis (I actually used it as a compact bailout).

Cheers

Darren

jar_uk1 · 1st July 2006, 08:40

Thanks for all your kind words, it was my first "big" post :-)

Morten - My intention was always to order the 45degree elbows, but everything is bigger/longer than you think they are when you are sitting there with your unit trying to imagine what everything will look like. I hope the photos comparing the angles are useful, It does look diffferent to what you imagine it will.

Odin - I do want to put a carry handle on, but I wondered whether I should put a metal plate behind the holes in the shell to reinforce it, I think there will be a lot of strain on the shell if I dont?

Darren, I am glad someone can put the cylinder to good use :-)

There are actually loads of Rebreather's in our BSAC club, but no-one dives a drager on a regular basis. Maybe one day I will get a chance dive with some of you guys.

John R

DivnSapper · 10th July 2006, 00:54

Great post... good to see the detailed photos and an excellent option for conversion!

suicidediver · 23rd January 2007, 00:02

Quote: (Originally Posted by jar_uk1)

Let me know if you find it useful

John R

Hi John,
a very nice post, and an excellent job you did there!
I have the same setup (except the DIN-adapters), and must say that it´s the only way the Dräger Dolphin makes any sense.
And thanks to the VR3 I could get rid of the shitty Oxy2

.

Cheers!

tamorgen · 23rd January 2007, 13:45

Quote: (Originally Posted by jar_uk1)

I dont know if anyone is interested, but I took pictures while I was assembling the drager with my new V4tec backplate, I also took pics with the different hose extenders (45 degree and 90 Degree) fitted.

If anyone wants to take a peek, they are here...

Drager

My first OW dives with the modified unit were at the weekend. I had a cracking few dives including the St Dunstan, the M2, and Sidon.(max depth 33m or 108ft) It felt very comfortable in the water, no problems with the breathing, and the new weight pouches sorted the orientation of the unit.

Apologies for the photography (and some of the text!) It was thrown together although iweb makes the worst web pages look passable.

Let me know if you find it useful

John R

John,
I really appreciate how well you've written yoour backplate build, but I have to ask, doesn't anyone simply make longer hoses? How hard can it be to find corregated hose in different lengths? I've seen other members talk about adding parts means adding danger, and I understand their perspective, however, I'm very used to the backplate & wing way of doing things. I haven't used a jacket style BCD in probably 10 years.

Right now I'm trying to figure out if I'll go with your V4tec method or Martin's tecme Hydrogom SS shell. Martin's is considerably more expensive, but I think it may eliminate some of the issues of longer hoses and the Dolphin shell cracking issues. Then there's Ron's tmishop adapter. I imagine his would have the same extension issues as you did with V4tec.

Oh the decisions...if only I had Bill Gates checkbook.

jar_uk1 · 23rd January 2007, 21:59

Quote: (Originally Posted by tamorgen)

John,
I really appreciate how well you've written yoour backplate build, but I have to ask, doesn't anyone simply make longer hoses? How hard can it be to find corregated hose in different lengths? I've seen other members talk about adding parts means adding danger, and I understand their perspective, however, I'm very used to the backplate & wing way of doing things. I haven't used a jacket style BCD in probably 10 years.

Right now I'm trying to figure out if I'll go with your V4tec method or Martin's tecme Hydrogom SS shell. Martin's is considerably more expensive, but I think it may eliminate some of the issues of longer hoses and the Dolphin shell cracking issues. Then there's Ron's tmishop adapter. I imagine his would have the same extension issues as you did with V4tec.

Oh the decisions...if only I had Bill Gates checkbook.

As far as I am aware there is no option for longer hoses on the drager, as they are moulded with an end that fits the adaptors. I think someone does do an extension "section" but that this means actually cutting the drager hoses (not something I want to do!).

I dont know whether the Hydrogom shell will help with hose length problems, all of the pictures show a but on a slightly different note, I see that one of the hydrogom shells on the tecme website uses different (green) hoses (Cooper hoses?) but I dont know how they have been set up.

I decided to keep the loop on my drager unchanged for the moment, there are not many limitations for the sort of diving I do.

Whatever you do I hope you enjoy your Rebreather diving.

John R

30th June 2006, 13:53	#1 (permalink)
jar_uk1 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, UK Posts: 66	Drager and backplate build I dont know if anyone is interested, but I took pictures while I was assembling the drager with my new V4tec backplate, I also took pics with the different hose extenders (45 degree and 90 Degree) fitted. If anyone wants to take a peek, they are here... http://www.johnralston.com/Site/Drager.html My first OW dives with the modified unit were at the weekend. I had a cracking few dives including the St Dunstan, the M2, and Sidon.(max depth 33m or 108ft) It felt very comfortable in the water, no problems with the breathing, and the new weight pouches sorted the orientation of the unit. Apologies for the photography (and some of the text!) It was thrown together although iweb makes the worst web pages look passable. Let me know if you find it useful John R Last edited by jar_uk1 : 30th June 2006 at 15:11. Reason: typos
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30th June 2006, 15:53	#2 (permalink)
mortenkjerulff Customise Me! Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 143	Re: Drager and backplate build Hi John. Thanks. I have the 90 degree angles and V4tec backplate adaptor myself. I was in doubt about buying the 45 degree or 90 degree angles, but I see from your pictures that I made the right choise :-) Happy diving. Morten Quote: (Originally Posted by jar_uk1) I dont know if anyone is interested, but I took pictures while I was assembling the drager with my new V4tec backplate, I also took pics with the different hose extenders (45 degree and 90 Degree) fitted. If anyone wants to take a peek, they are here... http://www.johnralston.com/Site/Drager.html My first OW dives with the modified unit were at the weekend. I had a cracking few dives including the St Dunstan, the M2, and Sidon.(max depth 33m or 108ft) It felt very comfortable in the water, no problems with the breathing, and the new weight pouches sorted the orientation of the unit. Apologies for the photography (and some of the text!) It was thrown together although iweb makes the worst web pages look passable. Let me know if you find it useful John R
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30th June 2006, 16:24	#3 (permalink)
dan@scuba-training.net New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Megalodon Sport Kiss Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 98	Re: Drager and backplate build Nice work, sir!
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30th June 2006, 17:41	#4 (permalink)
Odin Egbert - the Deco Dancer Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: U.K Posts: 141	Re: Drager and backplate build Excellent. I did similar with my Dolphin. The back plate made it so much easier. I also fitted a webbing handle through the top slots on the case, and had a weight pouch (similar to the inspiration) on the top to aid balance. A lovely rig to dive - but I've now joined the yellow side...
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30th June 2006, 18:58	#5 (permalink)
curator New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: West Midlands, UK Posts: 66	Re: Drager and backplate build I've seen it in the flesh and can say its a neat well done unit. Nice one John. By the way, that Drager cyinder was excellent at 30 meters on the Thesis (I actually used it as a compact bailout). Cheers Darren
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1st July 2006, 08:40	#6 (permalink)
jar_uk1 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, UK Posts: 66	Re: Drager and backplate build Thanks for all your kind words, it was my first "big" post :-) Morten - My intention was always to order the 45degree elbows, but everything is bigger/longer than you think they are when you are sitting there with your unit trying to imagine what everything will look like. I hope the photos comparing the angles are useful, It does look diffferent to what you imagine it will. Odin - I do want to put a carry handle on, but I wondered whether I should put a metal plate behind the holes in the shell to reinforce it, I think there will be a lot of strain on the shell if I dont? Darren, I am glad someone can put the cylinder to good use :-) There are actually loads of Rebreather's in our BSAC club, but no-one dives a drager on a regular basis. Maybe one day I will get a chance dive with some of you guys. John R
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10th July 2006, 00:54	#7 (permalink)
DivnSapper New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Qatar Posts: 86	Re: Drager and backplate build Great post... good to see the detailed photos and an excellent option for conversion!
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23rd January 2007, 00:02	#8 (permalink)
suicidediver New Member Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Classic Kiss Dolphin Other SCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: germany Posts: 12	Re: Drager and backplate build Quote: (Originally Posted by jar_uk1) Let me know if you find it useful John R Hi John, a very nice post, and an excellent job you did there! I have the same setup (except the DIN-adapters), and must say that it´s the only way the Dräger Dolphin makes any sense. And thanks to the VR3 I could get rid of the shitty Oxy2. Cheers! Last edited by suicidediver : 23rd January 2007 at 00:28.
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23rd January 2007, 13:45	#9 (permalink)
tamorgen Gadget guru extrordinaire Current Rebreather/s: Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Columbia, MD Posts: 183	Re: Drager and backplate build Quote: (Originally Posted by jar_uk1) I dont know if anyone is interested, but I took pictures while I was assembling the drager with my new V4tec backplate, I also took pics with the different hose extenders (45 degree and 90 Degree) fitted. If anyone wants to take a peek, they are here... Drager My first OW dives with the modified unit were at the weekend. I had a cracking few dives including the St Dunstan, the M2, and Sidon.(max depth 33m or 108ft) It felt very comfortable in the water, no problems with the breathing, and the new weight pouches sorted the orientation of the unit. Apologies for the photography (and some of the text!) It was thrown together although iweb makes the worst web pages look passable. Let me know if you find it useful John R John, I really appreciate how well you've written yoour backplate build, but I have to ask, doesn't anyone simply make longer hoses? How hard can it be to find corregated hose in different lengths? I've seen other members talk about adding parts means adding danger, and I understand their perspective, however, I'm very used to the backplate & wing way of doing things. I haven't used a jacket style BCD in probably 10 years. Right now I'm trying to figure out if I'll go with your V4tec method or Martin's tecme Hydrogom SS shell. Martin's is considerably more expensive, but I think it may eliminate some of the issues of longer hoses and the Dolphin shell cracking issues. Then there's Ron's tmishop adapter. I imagine his would have the same extension issues as you did with V4tec. Oh the decisions...if only I had Bill Gates checkbook.
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23rd January 2007, 21:59	#10 (permalink)
jar_uk1 New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, UK Posts: 66	Re: Drager and backplate build Quote: (Originally Posted by tamorgen) John, I really appreciate how well you've written yoour backplate build, but I have to ask, doesn't anyone simply make longer hoses? How hard can it be to find corregated hose in different lengths? I've seen other members talk about adding parts means adding danger, and I understand their perspective, however, I'm very used to the backplate & wing way of doing things. I haven't used a jacket style BCD in probably 10 years. Right now I'm trying to figure out if I'll go with your V4tec method or Martin's tecme Hydrogom SS shell. Martin's is considerably more expensive, but I think it may eliminate some of the issues of longer hoses and the Dolphin shell cracking issues. Then there's Ron's tmishop adapter. I imagine his would have the same extension issues as you did with V4tec. Oh the decisions...if only I had Bill Gates checkbook. As far as I am aware there is no option for longer hoses on the drager, as they are moulded with an end that fits the adaptors. I think someone does do an extension "section" but that this means actually cutting the drager hoses (not something I want to do!). I dont know whether the Hydrogom shell will help with hose length problems, all of the pictures show a but on a slightly different note, I see that one of the hydrogom shells on the tecme website uses different (green) hoses (Cooper hoses?) but I dont know how they have been set up. I decided to keep the loop on my drager unchanged for the moment, there are not many limitations for the sort of diving I do. Whatever you do I hope you enjoy your Rebreather diving. John R
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