The Best SM Rebreather.....THE KISS WINS!!!
- Thread starter JONT
- Start date
JONT
New Member
Good points, I have 3 H20 valves and they do require constant maintenance. if they were of higher quality and reliability I'd use them if I needed to.
For now I want to keep the weight, most people I see with the sidekick use 5-8 pounds to the rear of the unit so I chose heavy firsts and 3L's for now.
As they say time will tell...........
I'll post in water pic's hopefully on Friday or Saturday.
Mikael
Member
With the loop at one end and first stages at the other you have two ends that need a degree of protection from being abused. Could this make kitting up and moving the unit around (say dry caving) difficult?
JONT
New Member
The dives today configured this was were fantastic, the weight is a non-issue, the unit can be easily passed from one diver to another, doffed and don'd easily. The first stages and valves are very well protected having the mounted to the rear and pointing upwards.
The NERD is the way to go, its great, easy to see yet not invasive.
I have a few adjustments to make:
1) I'm moving the 02 add to the bottom of the DSV or inhale hose where it meets the DSV, I like the idea of having the 02 add up high and easily accessible with both hands.
2) I have to rotate the uni so the dump is on the bottom, this will also allow me to access the ADV easily, the ADV works very well, it doesn't flood the unit with gas quickly like some but it does deliver DIL when you need/want it.
3) I'm going to lengthen a few hose so the I can route the Y over my shoulder for a more streamlined fit with easier plug in accessibility.
4) I'm going to raise the front of the unit about 1.5 inches higher......on my side that is
Overall its works very well, I have no complaints............and thats saying something.
Cheers,
JonT
The NERD is the way to go, its great, easy to see yet not invasive.
I have a few adjustments to make:
1) I'm moving the 02 add to the bottom of the DSV or inhale hose where it meets the DSV, I like the idea of having the 02 add up high and easily accessible with both hands.
2) I have to rotate the uni so the dump is on the bottom, this will also allow me to access the ADV easily, the ADV works very well, it doesn't flood the unit with gas quickly like some but it does deliver DIL when you need/want it.
3) I'm going to lengthen a few hose so the I can route the Y over my shoulder for a more streamlined fit with easier plug in accessibility.
4) I'm going to raise the front of the unit about 1.5 inches higher......on my side that is
Overall its works very well, I have no complaints............and thats saying something.
Cheers,
JonT
atedeschi
Member
Jont,
Here are the pics you requested. This setup is slightly different then the write up on my sight because I am using it as a BOB right now but the only difference is how the diluent is connected. In this version its coming from a offboard tank.
The o2 manual add is strapped to the inhale hose right under the DSV like you had just mentioned and works great can easily be reached with either hand, while scootering etc. I am using 15" reg hoses for this and I added a check valve at the head of the unit where the O2 goes in just incase a hose were to go the rig wouldn't flood. In this pic I have a 10" reg hose connected right in to the dil side of the head and on the end of the hose is a slide switch so when you are in weird positions the ADV wont fire and a Omniswivel male QD with check valve. When Im running the unit as a primary unit I have a dil bottle attached and the same hose comes right out of the reg in to the head but on the head I have a 90 degree swivel (This can be seen on my write-up on my site), again I still have the inline shutoff. FYI you can adjust the height of the ADV paddle to make it harder or easier to activate, and have a spare one because I have bent the plunger slightly with to much pressure when descending.
I am using these new hoses from KISS which are about 15" and the fold back in much better then standard hoses. These are connected to 90 degree elbows which attach to my shrimp DSV or BOV depending on how I am running the unit. I do not use hose weights since the hose float up in to my chest and stay out of the way. I also found this setup lighter and more streamline then the SM DSV Golem has. I word of caution the Nerd cam mount can depress the bonnets on the GOLEM hose towers and pop off. I had it happen once on land thought I wasn't careful and once during a dive as the cam got loose and worked its way against the button.
I also went from a D-ring attachment for the top to a bolt snap that clips in to my SM loop like if I was diving OC. Glad you like the unit I been using it for about 2 years and love it, its been to about 390' and longest dives on it were about 7.5 hours, in cold water diving and warm water caves. Let me know if you have any questions, to help avoid recreating the wheel
Here are the pics you requested. This setup is slightly different then the write up on my sight because I am using it as a BOB right now but the only difference is how the diluent is connected. In this version its coming from a offboard tank.
The o2 manual add is strapped to the inhale hose right under the DSV like you had just mentioned and works great can easily be reached with either hand, while scootering etc. I am using 15" reg hoses for this and I added a check valve at the head of the unit where the O2 goes in just incase a hose were to go the rig wouldn't flood. In this pic I have a 10" reg hose connected right in to the dil side of the head and on the end of the hose is a slide switch so when you are in weird positions the ADV wont fire and a Omniswivel male QD with check valve. When Im running the unit as a primary unit I have a dil bottle attached and the same hose comes right out of the reg in to the head but on the head I have a 90 degree swivel (This can be seen on my write-up on my site), again I still have the inline shutoff. FYI you can adjust the height of the ADV paddle to make it harder or easier to activate, and have a spare one because I have bent the plunger slightly with to much pressure when descending.
I am using these new hoses from KISS which are about 15" and the fold back in much better then standard hoses. These are connected to 90 degree elbows which attach to my shrimp DSV or BOV depending on how I am running the unit. I do not use hose weights since the hose float up in to my chest and stay out of the way. I also found this setup lighter and more streamline then the SM DSV Golem has. I word of caution the Nerd cam mount can depress the bonnets on the GOLEM hose towers and pop off. I had it happen once on land thought I wasn't careful and once during a dive as the cam got loose and worked its way against the button.
I also went from a D-ring attachment for the top to a bolt snap that clips in to my SM loop like if I was diving OC. Glad you like the unit I been using it for about 2 years and love it, its been to about 390' and longest dives on it were about 7.5 hours, in cold water diving and warm water caves. Let me know if you have any questions, to help avoid recreating the wheel
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JONT
New Member
Jont,
Here are the pics you requested. This setup is slightly different then the write up on my sight because I am using it as a BOB right now but the only difference is how the diluent is connected. In this version its coming from a offboard tank.
The o2 manual add is strapped to the inhale hose right under the DSV like you had just mentioned and works great can easily be reached with either hand, while scootering etc. I am using 15" reg hoses for this and I added a check valve at the head of the unit where the O2 goes in just incase a hose were to go the rig wouldn't flood. In this pic I have a 10" reg hose connected right in to the dil side of the head and on the end of the hose is a slide switch so when you are in weird positions the ADV wont fire and a Omniswivel male QD with check valve. When Im running the unit as a primary unit I have a dil bottle attached and the same hose comes right out of the reg in to the head but on the head I have a 90 degree swivel (This can be seen on my write-up on my site), again I still have the inline shutoff. FYI you can adjust the height of the ADV paddle to make it harder or easier to activate, and have a spare one because I have bent the plunger slightly with to much pressure when descending.
I am using these new hoses from KISS which are about 15" and the fold back in much better then standard hoses. These are connected to 90 degree elbows which attach to my shrimp DSV or BOV depending on how I am running the unit. I do not use hose weights since the hose float up in to my chest and stay out of the way. I also found this setup lighter and more streamline then the SM DSV Golem has. I word of caution the Nerd cam mount can depress the bonnets on the GOLEM hose towers and pop off. I had it happen once on land thought I wasn't careful and once during a dive as the cam got loose and worked its way against the button.
I also went from a D-ring attachment for the top to a bolt snap that clips in to my SM loop like if I was diving OC. Glad you like the unit I been using it for about 2 years and love it, its been to about 390' and longest dives on it were about 7.5 hours, in cold water diving and warm water caves. Let me know if you have any questions, to help avoid recreating the wheel
hey I just read your write up in more detail, thank you very much for the information, you have been very helpful and gave me a few things to think about.
Cheers mate.
JonT
If you do opt to use them. Watch out on the application of HP oxygen through them as they have a tendency of blowing up: quite spectacularly sometimes. OSEL spent a fortune at bam.de testing them and several iterations of alternatives.
Now where have I seen elbows like that before on a BOV.
BTW. Not sure of the stretch of those breathing hoses, but the OSEL ones have about 400% stretch. In the unique application you guys are using these SM units for you, might find that beneficial, as it may make the DSV to unit connection more flexible and less likely to kink.
Brad, what is the force required to provide a 400% stretch on the hoses?
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Dave, The breathing hoses stretch 400% (unstretched length 150mm, stretched length 600mm) on a 25kg load, without permanent deformation. It was designed to considerably reduce the area exposed to puncture and also reducing the weight of the unit (reduced dead gas space).
You get 260% stretch with a 1kg load.
What's the cuff size on these aka size of insert that they expect, for a bob these might as you state be ideal.
JONT
New Member
Hi Brad,
Whats the diameter of the hoses? and how can I get some if they work?
Cheers Brad
Peter, cuff OD 48mm // hose ID unfitted 38mm
Jon, Corrugation OD 54mm
Part# from OSEL is DRB-12-5002 and you can order it from https://www.opensafety.eu/product_info.php?products_id=91
Not sure if OSEL have bothered with pics of just the breathing hose, try:
https://www.facebook.com/1512989548...1298954899613/766962666666569/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/1512989548...1298954899613/958370847525749/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/1512989548...1298954899613/577366612292843/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/1512989548...1298954899613/947684165261084/?type=3&theater
JONT
New Member
Thank you Brad, how's our mutual friend in the UK? I owe him a call its been to long, if you guys are interested in heading over to cave country florida with some toys you have a place to stay.
Cheers,
Jon