Old regulator identification

[KingsSoldier08]

A few years ago my wife picked up a couple of really old *ahem* "vintage" regulators for $10 at a garage sale. My LDS said not to bother with them, but I kept them. Now I've been reading a bit, and some people really like some of these old regulator. Any idea what model these are?

 

[James79]

First is a Healthways Scuba Star... Basic flow by piston 1st stage, and I believe a basic downstream second. A lot of knowledge on these over at https://vintagescuba.proboards.com/

Second is a Scubapro Mk2 (flow by piston) paired with a 108 (downstream second).

I would happily double what you paid for them to take them off your hands! Seriously, if you decide not to mess with them, let me know.

Respectfully,

James

 

[KingsSoldier08]

Thanks for the info. I'd like to start getting into servicing my own equipment. Would these be something I could tinker with to get some experience or are they very different from current models?

 

[James79]

In all honesty, I would trade or sell the Healthways to someone who's way further down the rabbit hole than you. Mainly due to parts availability (as in none... O-rings are easy, but beyond that it gets creative).
The Mk2/108 combo, on the other hand, is easy to work on and still has parts available. In fact, a variation of it is still sold ( https://scubapro.johnsonoutdoors.com/regulators/systems/mk2-evor195-dive-regulator-system ). Service kits are available (after market... SP doesn't sell parts or service kits to individuals).

More to follow.

 

[James79]

Fundamentally, scuba regs haven't changed in decades. Modern first stages are generally 1 of 3 types; 1) Unbalanced Piston (also known as flow by piston). Super simple, but intermediate pressure drops as tank pressure drops (hence unbalanced). The Mk2 is probably the most common/well known of this type. 2) Balanced piston (flow through piston). Nearly as simple as the Unbalanced piston, but IP remains stable through tank pressure ranges. The Mk5 is the earliest I'm aware of, and the Mk25 is the current descendant of it. 3) Balanced Diaphragm (usually just called a Diaphragm). Higher parts count, but balanced (stable IP) and all moving parts are inherently sealed. The Conshelf series is one of the earliest, but it's actually the same internally as the Royal Aquamaster double hose's first stage.
Current production examples of the 3 types include; 1) The Mk2, still being produced. 2) Mk25, descendant of the Mk5. 3) Aqualung Titan/Micron/Core. Descendants of the Conshelf/RAM.

Modern second stages are generally of 3 types; 1) Basic Downstream. Simple, reliable, but unbalanced (work of breathing will be affect by IP... lower IP will make it breath harder). SP 108 and Aqualung Conshelfs are the common/well known old standbys for this type. 2) Unbalanced Adjustable. Slightly more complicated, still unbalanced, but has a user adjustment knob that changes cracking pressure (work of breathing). SP 109 is the common early version of this style. 3) Balanced Adjustable. More complicated, but is balanced (breathes nearly the same regardless of IP) and has a user adjustment knob. SP 156/BA is the early version.

There are some other variants, but these are the common stuff.

If you want to run with the Mk2/108 set, you can find rebuild kits here: Store | Vintage Double Hose , Store | Vintage Double Hose
And look at the bottom of the page there and you'll see a Manuals and Catalogs link... in there you can find schematics and service manuals.
Mk2 Teardown/Rebuild: I didn't see a video on the Tube for a 108, but VDH did a really good one on the Conshelf, which is close enough to use as a reference:
Let me know if I can help,

James

 

[runsongas]

edit: beaten to it

 

[KingsSoldier08]

Fundamentally, scuba regs haven't changed in decades. Modern first stages are generally 1 of 3 types; 1) Unbalanced Piston (also known as flow by piston). Super simple, but intermediate pressure drops as tank pressure drops (hence unbalanced). The Mk2 is probably the most common/well known of this type. 2) Balanced piston (flow through piston). Nearly as simple as the Unbalanced piston, but IP remains stable through tank pressure ranges. The Mk5 is the earliest I'm aware of, and the Mk25 is the current descendant of it. 3) Balanced Diaphragm (usually just called a Diaphragm). Higher parts count, but balanced (stable IP) and all moving parts are inherently sealed. The Conshelf series is one of the earliest, but it's actually the same internally as the Royal Aquamaster double hose's first stage.
Current production examples of the 3 types include; 1) The Mk2, still being produced. 2) Mk25, descendant of the Mk5. 3) Aqualung Titan/Micron/Core. Descendants of the Conshelf/RAM.

Modern second stages are generally of 3 types; 1) Basic Downstream. Simple, reliable, but unbalanced (work of breathing will be affect by IP... lower IP will make it breath harder). SP 108 and Aqualung Conshelfs are the common/well known old standbys for this type. 2) Unbalanced Adjustable. Slightly more complicated, still unbalanced, but has a user adjustment knob that changes cracking pressure (work of breathing). SP 109 is the common early version of this style. 3) Balanced Adjustable. More complicated, but is balanced (breathes nearly the same regardless of IP) and has a user adjustment knob. SP 156/BA is the early version.

There are some other variants, but these are the common stuff.

If you want to run with the Mk2/108 set, you can find rebuild kits here: Store | Vintage Double Hose , Store | Vintage Double Hose
And look at the bottom of the page there and you'll see a Manuals and Catalogs link... in there you can find schematics and service manuals.
Mk2 Teardown/Rebuild: I didn't see a video on the Tube for a 108, but VDH did a really good one on the Conshelf, which is close enough to use as a reference:
Let me know if I can help,

James

Holy crap. Thanks! Not much more I could ask for with this.

 

[James79]

Holy crap. Thanks! Not much more I could ask for with this.

I truly stand on the shoulders of giants... I gleaned all of this info from this forum and a couple others!