Draeger Dolphin Modifications

Part III

REMEMBER REBREATHERS CAN AND DO KILL!

IF YOU ATTEMPT TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO YOUR SYSTEM, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.  YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

With more than 170 hours and 190 dives on the system, I have continued to find a few idiosycracies which I have attempted to make small changes in the search for the perfect rebreather.

The one thing one notices with a CCR unit is that if you set the ADV (Automatic  Diluent Valve) easy to hit to make it easy to get a full lung of air is that it is then that is prone to free flow.  This is especially true whilst switching to helium based diluents.  One of the modifications I made was a diluent bypass injection system.  This allows one to have a full counterlung with no empty-bag feeling on inhale. 

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The second concern was a chronic problem with the mouthpiec swivels leaking.  So we disassembled the ends, cleaned them with acetone and permanently epoxied them in place.  When you slide out the mushroom valves yopu can still remove the inner barrel.  When the hose barrel nuts are loose you can still swivel the mouthpiece into place.

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I have gone back as previously mentioned to a 0,08mm (0,003") orifice.  I have also rerouted it to fit on the waist strap.

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