Questions regarding eSCR

[W W Meixner]

J

 

[Leifb78]

Hi,
sorry I have been away for a few days. Have been doing a lot more reading and checking up. I will try to drag this thread back on topic
I have abandoned the Hollis Explorer as an option due to many of the reasons mentioned in this thread.
Thanks for all answers and viewpoints. It is always useful to hear a different oppinion.
I am now looking into a second hand Dolphin as these units are available at a reasonable price here in Norway.
I seem to read a lot about bypass valsves and stuff, I need to do some more research into what bits and bobs people get for these units.
My current plan is to find a reasonable second hand unit, possibly replace the first stage to one that is suitable for cold water diving. Hopefully a unit I find here in Norway will have this allready, as at 30 meters we normally get water temps og 4 degrees C most of the year, which I understand equates to cold water diving in the rest of the world.
I plan to get some method of PO2 monitoring for the loop, if this is not included with the unit when I buy it. and I will also carry a bailout cylinder/pony bottle for all dives.
Does this sound like a reasonable start?
I am considering a larger steel cylinder for the machine, simply as with drysuit and undergarments etc a fair bit of weight is needed in any case, and I seem to remember user in Norway commenting that the Dolphin is quite light and more weight was needed to dive it than many liked (this was when the Dolphin first released here in Norway.
Please note I still do NOT plan to get in to technical diving, and that colours my thoughts on this.

Thanks for everybodys contributions so far

 

[PMscuba]

Check out the SF2 ECCR Rebreather. it is extremely simple compared to other units in the market.

 

[lv2dive]

I think if you’ve decided on a unit, it’s time to research instructors for that unit. They are going to integral to your learning (see your note about “bypass valves”).

Also, good job on abandoning the Hollis Explorer as an option.

Hi,
sorry I have been away for a few days. Have been doing a lot more reading and checking up. I will try to drag this thread back on topic
I have abandoned the Hollis Explorer as an option due to many of the reasons mentioned in this thread.
Thanks for all answers and viewpoints. It is always useful to hear a different oppinion.
I am now looking into a second hand Dolphin as these units are available at a reasonable price here in Norway.
I seem to read a lot about bypass valsves and stuff, I need to do some more research into what bits and bobs people get for these units.
My current plan is to find a reasonable second hand unit, possibly replace the first stage to one that is suitable for cold water diving. Hopefully a unit I find here in Norway will have this allready, as at 30 meters we normally get water temps og 4 degrees C most of the year, which I understand equates to cold water diving in the rest of the world.
I plan to get some method of PO2 monitoring for the loop, if this is not included with the unit when I buy it. and I will also carry a bailout cylinder/pony bottle for all dives.
Does this sound like a reasonable start?
I am considering a larger steel cylinder for the machine, simply as with drysuit and undergarments etc a fair bit of weight is needed in any case, and I seem to remember user in Norway commenting that the Dolphin is quite light and more weight was needed to dive it than many liked (this was when the Dolphin first released here in Norway.
Please note I still do NOT plan to get in to technical diving, and that colours my thoughts on this.

Thanks for everybodys contributions so far

 

[Leifb78]

PMscuba do you have a link?

 

[Leifb78]

I did look at the SF2 ECCR a bit but as with all the other eCCR units, the price puts it out of consideration for the type of diving I want to do with a rebreather.

 

[doctormike]

I did look at the SF2 ECCR a bit but as with all the other eCCR units, the price puts it out of consideration for the type of diving I want to do with a rebreather.

Don't get me wrong, I love my rebreather (JJ) and I am happy diving it in all sorts of conditions, even shallow, non-deco dives. But I'm not sure why you want to make the switch from OC for an SCR, given the significant overhead in training, risk management, complexity and cost. Especially since you are planning on modifying the unit.

What is the reason for doing this, if you are sure that you want to limit yourself to shallow, non-deco diving?

 

[PMscuba]

I did look at the SF2 ECCR a bit but as with all the other eCCR units, the price puts it out of consideration for the type of diving I want to do with a rebreather.

Price is one of the cons for sure unless you are able to find a second hand unit in perfect conditions.

 

[Imla]

Why not make contact with Robert Bergestad in Oslo? He teaches a "library" of units, and will most likely be able to answer most of your questions.

 

[rjack321]

I plan to get some method of PO2 monitoring for the loop, if this is not included with the unit when I buy it. and I will also carry a bailout cylinder/pony bottle for all dives.
Does this sound like a reasonable start?

Reasonable? Not to me. Co2 monitoring on a dolphin? This is really crazy and I don't think has ever been done. You will need a whole suite of electronics, batteries and pass through ports that have never existed for any drager which is about as minimalist as it can be electricity-wise. You could probably make something up with parts from Martin at tec-me (in Germany) but for the price and complete lack of any functional testing I think you are better off either skipping this modification or looking at a second hand unit CCR (not SCR) that already has Co2 monitoring.

The way the dolphin (and ray) were supposed to work is that your SCR supply gas is also your bailout. The supplied drager regulator is fine for cold water.