Entwickler der
Reglerstufe ist Michael Story, Burleson Texas, genannt Oldmossback
 Dan, VSS
It is to be used with the existing US Divers AquaMaster or Royal AquaMaster parts and the
main purpose of this new body is to supply the much needed auxiliary high pressure and low
pressure ports that so many people like to have on their regulator.
The new body is machined from solid brass and is three inches in diameter and
approximately 3/4 inch thick (the portion that is visible on the outside of the
regulator).
There are four LP ports and one HP port- all positioned so that you can run your
underwater pressure gauge, BC hose and back up regulator in the traditional fashion.
Michael designed this new body to use currently available AquaLung Titan parts and parts
from your original AquaMaster body. The Titan parts include a modern 3000-4000 psi rated
yolk and fully balanced 1st stage with new spring block and Teflon high pressure seat. The
second stage parts including low pressure seat and seat holder, horseshoe lever, locks,
etc are original AquaMaster.
The unit is designed as a kit and so the purchaser will be responsible for obtaining the
needed parts and assembling the unit. As I understand, each "kit" will come with
the main body, a tank yolk and first stage push pin. He may supply all the first stage
parts depending on if a source can be found.
My pre-production unit (stamped "Patent Pending #5") arrived unchromed but I
believe the production ones will be fully chromed and polished. Upon assembly, the first
problem I had was a poor fit of the top box to the body. One aligning tab cut out on the
body was a little off and so I had to take out the Dremel and grind a little for a proper
fit. Michael has assured me that this problem with be solved in the production units.
Overall the machining is very clean and clearly a lot of time and thought has gone into
this project. After that, assembling the regulator was pretty straightforward with little
difficulty.
In the water, it breathed with the best of them, giving large volumes of air with low
breathing resistance. Since it's basically a Royal AquaMaster with added ports, you can be
assured of an excellent design and high reliability.
Mossback
Note to all: Dan's comment concerning the alignment tab notches has been corrected. This
correction was made by increasing the diameter of the drill bit and recentering so the
actual notch was of larger circumference (sp).....one of those issues with prototypes that
come up........I understand the other evaluator did not have this alignment problem,
however I had my machinest make the adjustments anyway....
These kits should be available in Nov or Dec. These are DIN compatable for the Titan
Yoke-DIN converter, available from your local AL LDS or you can use the screw-in DIN valve
button, which is available also from Single Star Republic.
Advantages of this unit are: DIN compatiable, 4 LP ports useable, 1 HP port useable,
height is nominal vs the RAM w original HP nozzle, IE: will fit between a standard backpac
and the tank. Clean, uncluttered look to the total regulator.
Terry/Duckbill, VSS 2009
The Mossback Mk3 regulator he sent me is a beautiful piece of kit. It is designed to
replace both the body and nozzle of a DAAM or RAM. It uses the replaceable HP hard seat
used in the USD Titan regulator. All of the internals of the RAM 1st and 2nd stages can
simply be swapped over to the Mk3, though it is advisable to use a new HP seat upon
initial assembly. I understand that new HP nozzle internal parts may be available as an
option upon purchase.
One of the main advantages of this regulator over the original USD designs is the presence
of one HP and four LP ports. Their positioning seems very well thought out, with the HP
port positioning the SPG down and to the left, and one LP port out to the left, one at
about 11 o'clock, one out to the right, and another down to the right. The LP ports are
standard 3/8", and the HP port is 7/16" to accomodate standard modern HP hoses.
This regulator only adds about 1/8" to the length of the assembled regulator as
compared to a RAM. My best measurements from the back of the top can to the face of the
nozzle show the RAM as being 1.21", and the Mk3 as 1.34", for an approximate
difference of .130" (.125" being 1/8"). Photos below will show how each
fits within a backpack.
The Mk3 weighs nearly one pound heavier than the body/nozzle of a RAM or DAAM, so the
diver can go a pound lighter around his waist.
The IP holds consistently rock solid at the recommended 135-140 psi with a good 2nd stage
spring. It breathed exceptionally well, on a par with, if not better than, a Royal AM. I
was able to dive it to 50+ ft and noticed no difference from it's excellent shallow water
breathing characteristics.
As a USD double hose regulator improvement which is compatible with backpack diving and
yet able to satisfy the auxiliary air source requirements of most dive boat operators, the
Mossback Mk3 gets a big four out of four flippers vote from this evaluator. My hat's off
to Michael Story for coming through with a superb design. He has kept me abreast of the
Mk3's development from concept to prototype to test model. I respect his steady devotion
to the project and his determination in seeing it through. I look forward to seeing the
finished products being used by divers very soon. I am certain the proud owners will be
exceedingly pleased with their brand new Mossback Mk3 regulators.
Mossback, 2009 Scubaboard
This unit has 4 useable LP ports, this means all can be used at the same time for various
requirements. Plus one HP port. I believe the Phoenix only has 3 LPs and also 3 HP
ports.........and not all can be used at the same time.
The length of the Phoenix precludes its use with DIN, per Louis Hero's own words. The reg
would push too deep into the divers back for comfort. The Mk3 can be used with a DIN and
is in fact short enough to use between a standard hard backpac found on many bc's and the
tank valve..........which means a diver can wear the tank low.
For the many questions:
The Mk 3 advantages are thus: DIN compatiable with a AL Titan Yoke-to-DIN adapter and
still fit between the tank valve and the back of the diver. This short height from can to
nozzle lip also allows the Mk3 to be used with a yoke on many standard hard backpac's with
the tank low on the back.
The Mossback hookaport adapter nut, I designed 3 years ago to use with a splitter, is no
longer needed as the hookaport is gone in this design. This unit has 4 useable LP ports, 2
on the right side for octo and drysuit, one BC offset on top and one on the left for
whatever is needed. One HP SPG port on the left that is 7/16 for the modern spg
hose.......I could put more LP and HP ports in, but I do not see the need for this for
Sport Diving
Upgrade to a Modern Doublehose Regulator
Several months ago I posted a question whether there was an interest in a new Modern
double hose regulator and what refinements that would entail. I received many replies and
consolidated these into a determination of a good product.
I have, for the last two years, been working on the heart of a new regulator and through
this effort I have a prototype 1st stage housing that presently is compatible with the RAM
and DA. This is not my final design however, as this prototype, I call the Mk 3, will
morph into a different unit, the Mk 4, that is not compatible with the RAM or DA. Note: I
have a patent pending for the Mk3 for a couple of unique ideas, however , the core of the
piece is conventional.
I first dove the first Mk 3 modified RAM prototype, in June of this year, and it is
currently being tested by a reputable supplier of vintage equipment and another trusted
evaluator.
In the coming months there is soon to be an available drop-in 1st stage unit replacement
kit! This will be an assemble yourself kit, (or have a qualified dive repair station do
this for you). It changes the appearance of the RAM's and DA's slightly, providing what is
considered a more clean and modern configuration. Yoke-to-DIN compatible, there are no
clocking problems as the 4 LP ports and 1 HP port are fixed in place. This design, patent
pending, is specifically to upgrade the USD double hose regulators from vintage to Modern
specifications. Measured from the can surface to the nozzle lip, this unit is only .028
inches longer than the original RAM 1st stage housing including the original balanced
nozzle.
This offer is not just addressing the vintage diver as the Phoenix nozzle has proven to
handle their needs quiet well. This post is mainly for the regular modern diver and
especially divers in England, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and other
countries with divers who have or would like to have a acceptable Modern configuration
double hose regulator that meets the current requirements for diving from charter boats
with their scuba clubs, etc.
These photos of the second test dive show this unit as well as the photo of the 1st
working prototype on a steel 71.2 cu ft tank. Note: this unit is approved up to 232 bar.
Final testing, evaluations are underway now. Keep watch for reports coming soon from the
forum at Vintage Scuba Supply.com.
The first 10 units will be sold as “Buy Now”on Ebay UK, AU and Canada, or you
can buy direct from Single Star Republic. I hope to have these ready by Nov. or Dec.
Cost will be $245.00 per kit. Kit includes: 1st stage body, yoke, yoke nut, all HP
internal parts, IP parts. You supply the IP spring, nut, adjustment nut, lever and parts,
2nd stage barrel, spring and seat off your regulator. |
