Newest Modifications
Here is
the newest version. I have removed the
Drager harness/BC unit from the shell and mounted an OMS IQ pack and single
100lb bladder using a custom built SS bracket.
I have also added an additional P-Connector to allow another 02 sensor
in the inhalation counterlung. Plugged
into this is a P-Port with a Teledyne
R-22D oxygen sensor wired to my new HS Explorer dive computer.
Top and bottom pictures of the adaptor
plate. I have decided to change this
again and will do so in the next few weeks.
The top of this unit slides into the slots at the top of the Drager
shell and the bottom studs protrude through holes drilled into the flat part of
the shell at the bottom. See next pics.
A bit out of focus but see the bottom corner
of the RB where I have drilled a hole to fit the stud from the bracket to fit
through and thread a washer and wingnut onto it. This makes the backplate assembly a breeze to
remove and reattach, usually under a minute.
It also allows the backplate, harness and BC to remain connected
together, so working on the RB, changing scrubber, etc, is quite a bit eaiser
than the original. Also the wings
provide so much more lift than the BC the Dolphin came with. The next design will allow the drager tank to
be used also. I only have sidemount
tanks so it wasn’t a concern. A stock
Dolphin diver asked about a bracket for his so this will be incorporated into
the new design, a handle will be part of this too.
Here is the wings and harness assembly, still
through bolted to the bracket, being slid into the slots, then the bottom will
be laid down and the wingnuts put on.
Here are the P-connector parts as they
arrived from my Drager dealer, the price was quite reasonable at $48 for a pair
of them, so two of each piece. The part
#’s are T51608 and T51609.
This is where I placed the P-connector, it
was a simple job to mark the spot with a
marker, cut out the piece, squeeze the nut into the bag by folding the
hole over, and threading it together. A
bit of Christo-lube on the threads and it was ready to go. No leaks at all.
The HS Explorer and Fischer connectors wired
to the 02 cell and P-port.
Here is what it looks like after a night dive
up in Cambell river BC, diving with the Nautilus Explorer. Notice the KISS valve on divers right, the HS
Explorer hanging off of a D ring, the 46cf sling bottle under the boat seat
that I can now carry, this is a much better kit now. On this trip I dived the unit down to 216 FSW
in 46deg F water with no problems.
With the unit on, I have plenty of room to
attach sling tanks or battery packs. My
Oceanic air XS can be seen over my left shoulder. I am also wearing a DUI weight harness. I normally clip the 02 add valve and oxygauge
to my top right D ring to keep them handy.
So that’s all the goodies for now. More to come. Feel free to contact me for more information about any of these things, I will be happy to help out. Check out my testing pages for new dive data.