Side mounted tanks on Dolphin

[msdkeith]

Hi Guys
I bought a Drager Dolphin back in February, didn't fancy the extra weight of twins to get the extended bottom time at the depths I envisaged (40M max). Took a while to get confident with the breather but naturally, having become accustomed to it I needed to mod it up a bit.

First step has been to side mount the nitrox bottle and a 5L bailout that also serves for suit and wing inflation. The clamps were on offer at Stoney, currently £35 each. Initially I've secured them to the box with cable ties but in due course I will construct some metal brackets. The new config is obviously a little wider but it feels balanced and right.

The next step will be to put a sensor in the loop and organise some form of display so I know what my O2 levels are.

MSDKeith

[David Parker]

[quote=msdkeith]Hi Guys
I bought a Drager Dolphin back in February, didn't fancy the extra weight of twins to get the extended bottom time at the depths I envisaged (40M max).


40m!!!! Be careful the drager fitted with a 5L main bottle filled with 32% running through the 32% jet will only give you a burn time of 48Min this is calculated by multiplying 150 bar of usable gas (taking into account you should exit with 50Bar) by the size of the cylinder ie. 150X5=750L divide this then by the flow rate of 15.5L per min = 48.38min. Running a dive profile through my VR3 take into account your descent & accent times it only gave you 10min at 40M along with 12mins of deco stops.. DANGER you’re 5L bail out is inadequate if you had to bail out at 40M. (Work out your surface consumption rate then work back the depths & plan out your dives based on your bail out. Otherwise you could end up dead!!!)

As to modifying the unit, think long & hard before you do it!!!

Safe Diving
Dave…

[jar_uk1]

Be careful with attaching the clamps directly to the shell, it is strong, but not that strong, it may split. I have the sidemount kit from v4tec. so can mount 2 sidemounts although I dont, as I use a sideslung 7L for bailout and a 10L with H valve, I would probably consider this the minimum for the sort of diving you describe.

I havent yet had it to 40m though!

I would also NEVER dive without the ability to monitor my po2/fo2, and I would prefer to have that integrated with my dive computer, this in effect limits you to a vr2/3, an HS explorer, a second hand oxyo2/Airz02 or maybe a shearwater.

Enjoy the drager, it is a great piece of kit. Oddly enough the ccr guys in our club dont give me a ribbing, it is the OC guys who consider it "not quite a real rebreather"

John

My Drager

[Freeflow]

Have a look at:

Drager Dolphin, basic modifications [part 1].

for some alternatives.

I would spend some cash on a pO2 meter as soon as possible to be honest, as it will make your unit safer and give you more range in your diving.

Also have a look at:

Semi Closed Rebreather diving gas calculations.

for some information on what you can do with a Dolphin and adjusting the tank mix.

I have a spreadsheet that I can send you is you email me that will do the calculations in the second link, drop me an email [NOT a PM!] if you would like it.

To use the spreadsheet effectively [and safely] you must have a pO2 monitor. If you fancy a dive with one and you can get to Stoney on Sat [14th], drop me a line and I'll meet you there.

[David Parker]

Originally Posted by msdkeith

Hi Guys

The next step will be to put a sensor in the loop and organise some form of display so I know what my O2 levels are.

MSDKeith

Yup cant agree enough... maybe should of put the £70.00 you spent on the clamps towards a po2 monitor.

Might be worth meeting up for a dive with Freeflow to get some idea on whats worth doing.

Give us a call to let me know how you get on.
Rgds
Dave

[David Parker]

ps kieth

Originally Posted by msdkeith

Hi Guys
First step has been to side mount the nitrox bottle and a 5L bailout that also serves for suit and wing inflation.
MSDKeith

Hey when you realize you should of bought that 10L like I said instead of another five. I will give you a couple of quid for your that old 5L, so you have not totaly lost out ?

Dave
He, He.. He...

[Freeflow]

Originally Posted by David Parker

Might be worth meeting up for a dive with Freeflow to get some idea on whats worth doing.

He's doomed!

What makes you think I know what I am doing?

[David Parker]

Originally Posted by Freeflow

He's doomed!

What makes you think I know what I am doing?

I dont think he needs any help in that region......

(sorry kieth i couldn't help myself I keep waiting to see a post telling me to F#;k off)

Besides that, Freeflow what sort of set up do you have ??

[Freeflow]

Originally Posted by David Parker

Besides that, Freeflow what sort of set up do you have ??

It's a black one with a blue tank at the bottom and a nice shiny yellow one at the side. As I think that the red fixing nuts look nicer on the left I turned the hoses and mouthpiece round to go the other way. The little round digital gauge makes some nice sounds when it's time to turn the tank on again, and I save myself a fortune by using kitty litter from the Co-op around the corner-pine scented absorbs more CO2 doesn't it?

Now that you are looking agast and telling Keith to run away, it's a standard loop config, the customisation is detailed on the post above with the Basic Dolphin Mods link.

I have taken delivery of my 10L H valve now though.

[David Parker]

Yup Kieth sounds like youve got a great day lined up....

Dave