An octo for the RAM.

[herman]

I use the same octo (when I have to) as Pete, figure it matches my yellow hoses. It's fairly common for the plug opposite the hose to be broken or missing, a 1/2 LP first stage port plug will work as a replacement.
If you don't mind crossing brands, the small Voit/AMF MR-2/Swimmaster/Titan seconds are a little smaller than the Conshelfs and really great breathing.

 

[Ed Palma]

If you don't mind crossing brands, the small Voit/AMF MR-2/Swimmaster/Titan seconds are a little smaller than the Conshelfs and really great breathing.

+1 on this suggestion.

When I first scouted an octo for my PRAM, I used an older conshelf for the very reason of keeping it all in the USD/AL family:

This year though, I got bitten by MR-12 fever and ended up with several and using them for octos on my PRAMs. They're smaller and have great breathing characterstics.

(LP hose got untucked from the waist-belt in this shot... tsk tsk tsk...)

 

[elan]

I wonder If I do decide to cross the brends I might just go SP route? I already have about 4 of 109/156 that will not be vintage though

 

[simonbeans]

Not trying to be a wet blanket here, but seeings as how the Phoenix is not really vintage then does it really matter what you use for an octo?

If one wants to actually dive vintage, octos were not part of the scene during the double hose era.

 

[Luis H]

The 109 has been around since 1968.

---------- Post added December 3rd, 2012 at 07:50 PM ----------

I never know what to make of this catalog page… do you think Dacor invented the time machine?

 

[simonbeans]

I am not saying that octos were not around, but they were not usually used on double hose regulators. My experience in the 1960s did not involve using an octopus (2nd) on a double hose regulator. But to be fair, I am sure someone, somewhere, somebody did figure out a way to use an octopus, a power inflator and most likely a plate and wing to complete his dive gear in the 1960s. And of course, everybody modified his gear with items of the future so that whatever you want to use and call it vintage today is fine.

 

[Nemrod]

As has been noted you can use what you want because you are not being correct to a period, just trying to keep some of the flavor so to speak. Any metal second should look OK, just that Conshelf, Voits and the SP109 are all so reliable and rugged. To me, suddenly having develop a crush (yet again) on the 109, maybe it would be a waste.

That aside, I detune my seconds which makes them much less likely to free flow, of course, that is a vote for the adjustable 109 isn't it. And the Voit MR12 II, such a good regulator to use as an octopus. The Conshelf is relatively more common.

Since the RAM and DA in round label forms did cross into the early 70s you might have seen something like this on the same dive but probably not together:

Lot's of old metal plates around:

This one is cool:

Now we are talking vintage era:

N

 

[John C. Ratliff]

I was diving my Trieste II with an octopus (MR-12) in the early 1970s.

John

PS--I'll have to see whether I uploaded the correct photo...nope, that photo is in the Siletz River in the 1970s, when I was experimenting with different BCs. This is Bill Herter's BC, which is a sandwich of two layers of 1/8 inch neoprene as the bladder built into a custom wet suit by Bill. I think the regulator in this photo is a DA Aquamaster with a custom LP attachment that by friend, Bruce Higgins made for me.

 

[elan]

Well, you guys know how to convince.

I have got a VOIT Swimaster Titan II. It's still in the mail but it looks in pretty good condition.

Will rebuild kit for MR12 from VDH work on this guy ? I assume it should at least for the 2nd stage.

Now I'm thinking that instead of using it as an octo I could find one of those manifolds with both central and post valve.

 

[herman]

Well, you guys know how to convince.

I have got a VOIT Swimaster Titan II. It's still in the mail but it looks in pretty good condition.

Will rebuild kit for MR12 from VDH work on this guy ? I assume it should at least for the 2nd stage.

Now I'm thinking that instead of using it as an octo I could find one of those manifolds with both central and post valve.


View attachment 142039

Yes it will- however it does not have a HP seat in it. The USD RAM/Conshelf/Titan one will work but depending on the reg, you may have to replace the pin as well. The balance chamber oring is a real bear to get out and in. The second stage will likely need a diaphram as the old ones were not very good. The good news is the current Abyss one (I think, hopefully Greg will correct me) is a drop in replacement. You will also need a pin spanner to get the HP stage out. Also, the J valve on those is very prone to failure, bad seat material so you should at least remove all the plastic material from the seat if you intend to use the first stage. If you don't intend to use the first stage, drop me a PM, we may can work a deal, I could use one in nice shape.