How to get boot off of gauges?

[MrVegas]

I have to think this is a silly question but here goes . .

I have an old regulator (1st stage Conshelf 20, 2nd stage Conshelf XIV) -- an Ebay purchase. I gingerly hooked it up, and everything seems to work very well, actually. Hoses look alright.

However, it has a huge three-gauge big yellow boot (spg, compass, depth). I would like to remove the boot and just have the spg. As I look at the boot, I see no seems or easily accessed screws to take it off. How do I get this thing off?

 

[lexvil]

If hard shell you have to remove the hard parts, usually screwed together. Remove the console from the 1st stage if you haven’t already, push the SPG out of the boot and pull the hose through. I took a few apart yesterday and I just cut them off with scissors.

 

[Scuba Lawyer]

If you post a photo of the console it would be helpful. Sometimes the consoles were molded units (no screws holding it together) and I've had to soak them in boiling water to soften them enough to pop out the gauges. Other times, I've removed writing plates from the back and found the attachment screws underneath. My 2psi

 

[MrVegas]

Thanks -- got it out, but now the spg leaks near the hose fitting. Not sure what I did to it. Maybe broken completely, maybe just needs new hose. Oh well . . . the compass is nice.

It was molded in one piece, gauges then put in, spg put in then hose pulled through. Big, yellow, and clunky. The inside was nasty though. About time for it to go. I appreciate the responses.

 

[lexvil]

Thanks -- got it out, but now the spg leaks near the hose fitting. Not sure what I did to it. Maybe broken completely, maybe just needs new hose. Oh well . . . the compass is nice.

It was molded in one piece, gauges then put in, spg put in then hose pulled through. Big, yellow, and clunky. The inside was nasty though. About time for it to go. I appreciate the responses.

Is it leaking near the gauge? If so likely the spool o rings if leaks near first stage change the hose oring

 

[gopbroek]

-003 o-rings on the gauge end, a real pain to replace. If removing the spool and clean and lube doesn't work I replace the spool with new o-rings pre installed ($1.50 @ DGX)

 

[GJC]

Could be an o ring, could also be a crack in in the SPG housing from the force needed to get it out of the console (if the gauge is plastic which it likely is). If it's a crack in the SPG case, it's toast. Those old rubber or plastic consoles get pretty stiff with age and even tend to crack when flexing them to get gauges in or out.

That reg set is pretty old but very good quality and usable today. A newer version is still manufactured for the military. Service parts are readily available and you are likely to find an Aqualung shop that will service it for you if you are not going to service it yourself.

Due to my experience with similar EBay purchases, I always replace all the hoses regardless of how new they may look, and have the first and second stages serviced even if the seller says they were just serviced. I have about a dozen Conshelfs and a bunch of other old regs that I have restored and put back in service.

Based on what you found in the console, my guess is that it has been a long time since the last service and it may not have been cared for and rinsed appropriately after use.

With new hoses and servicing, you will have a really nice old regulator that is as good or better than a lot that are available today and the one you have will last a very long time.

 

[MrVegas]

Thanks once again! Actually, I think I will try replacing the hose and the spool -- I don't think the case is cracked, although it is pretty cheap plastic. The leak appears to be in the connection near the gauge. Have to check the port size and see if I need an adapter for the HP port. (I know some of the old ones are 3/8 inch for the HP ports.)

I made a few inexpensive Conshelf e-bay purchases, bought with the idea of trying to service them myself more as an experiment than anything else. Still debating whether to send them out or to take a crack at it. Of course, that means buying a few tools, and then I'm down the rabbit hole. I appreciate everyone's comments.

 

[tursiops]

I made a few inexpensive Conshelf e-bay purchases, bought with the idea of trying to service them myself more as an experiment than anything else. Still debating whether to send them out or to take a crack at it. Of course, that means buying a few tools, and then I'm down the rabbit hole.

But it is pretty cool rabbit hole.....worth looking at, anyway.

 

[GJC]

Thanks once again! Actually, I think I will try replacing the hose and the spool -- I don't think the case is cracked, although it is pretty cheap plastic. The leak appears to be in the connection near the gauge. Have to check the port size and see if I need an adapter for the HP port. (I know some of the old ones are 3/8 inch for the HP ports.)

I made a few inexpensive Conshelf e-bay purchases, bought with the idea of trying to service them myself more as an experiment than anything else. Still debating whether to send them out or to take a crack at it. Of course, that means buying a few tools, and then I'm down the rabbit hole. I appreciate everyone's comments.

Conshelf 20 has the new size HP port so any new hose will fit.

Your old SPG may or may not have a spool. The older ones just had a post coming out of the gauge with 2 o rings on it. If so, you can break that post if you think it looks like a spool and try to pull it out.

If there is a spool, you will probably have some cleaning to do on the gauge where the spool goes.