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Scott Wrote >Going back a couple of years, I recall long conversations about >why the >average diver shouldn't consider buying or using surplus military >re-breathers (i.e. the Mk16 or Mk15.5) because the units had >been designed >for use by the military with no concern for servicability. I know it >was said at least once that 'these units require excessive >amounts of >pre-dive setup'. Statements like 'you need to almost re-build the >units >after every dive' were made. >How much of this is still true with the CCR500, and how much of >it was >hogwash from the start? >Thanks, >Scott. Scott, Vive been diving a Bio Marine CCR 155 for almost 2 years now. Yes there are excessive amounts of maintenance both pre and post dive, with it. With out a doubt it is going to be the same with the CCR 500. I know that Dick is using the same technology and a lot of the same parts. I would not get close to any unit that the manufacturer said "hey just slap this sucker on and away you go see ya in four hours". Salt water, electronics, pneumatics and the probability that human error will prevail, pretty much eliminates the design of a maintenance free unit. Anyone out there who discounts the hard fact, that there will be a lot of maintenance and thereby sees himself not performing the necessary maintenance, DON'T BUY ONE YOU WILL DIE. I don't believe what Dick said about only 15 minutes worth of maintenance. You don't have to all most rebuild the unit after every dive. You had better be able to take it all the way apart when it needs it in order to keep it in good working order. The E package and Secondary gauges, unless you are an EE might be tough to fix in the field. There's a check list with about 20 things to do Prior to and after a dive, see below. The words "log book" were made for this unit. Keeping track of everything is a must. For those of you who enjoy technical maintenance it should be enjoyable. After a while it's like anything else it becomes a habit. You get good at it and it doesn't take as long as it did in the beginning. How do you take care of your open circuit rig? A good question to ask yourself before you buy a rebreather. If you let someone else do your maintenance for you you're a DICKHEAD, PACK YOUR OWN CHUTE. When you want to change your set point, then calibration procedures have to be done this takes 45 minutes to an hour. Replumbing a third tank into my unit was relatively easy about 2 or 3 days in all. Some Swagelok, fittings and brackets, a three way valve, some stainless tubing, a little plumbing experience will help. Don't put any slobknobs on the unit or George will flame you. The expense doesn't stop with the purchase from Bio Marine. Are you going to want a Haskel $4000.00. Are you going to want a computer $3000.00. Sensors are 95.00 a piece life expectancy realistically 9 months sometimes more sometimes less. You all ways need 1 or 2 spare in your kit. I don't know what kind of bottles are going to be put on the CCR 500 I haven't seen it. If they are the sphere's Nickel Cadnium. They aren't a DOT item, therefore unless your dive shop owner/filler is a buddy, filling the dilluent bottle with air could require a compressor. For those of you who are interested below is a copy of a check list and log for pre-dive inspection on the CCR15.5. This does not include calabration set up or scrubber changing or post dive maintenance. For those of you not interested in this sorry for the waste of band width. Heyydude will buy your old used scrubber and burnt out sensors from you. Hope this helps JOHN MCKENNEY UNIT OWNER PREDIVE CHECK LIST CR155-UBA PROCEDURE DATE__________________ INSPECT FOR DIRT, DETERIORATION, AND DAMAGE DURING EACH PREDIVE STEP BOTTLE PRESSURE OXYGEN______DILUENT_______ _____________ SCRUBBER , ACCUM., TIME ON SCRUBBER LOAD_________ _____________ MOISTURE ABSORBERS _____________ SENSOR WIRES _____________ SENSOR READINGS IN AIR #1______ #2______ #3______ _____________ CANISTER REINSTALLED _____________ MOUTH PIECE & HOSES _____________ BATTERY VOLTAGE -_______ +_______ _____________ INSTALL BATTERY, PRESSURE RING, BLEED SCREW _____________ DIVE CHECKLIST INSTALL OXYGEN & DILUENT BOTTLES _____________ OPEN DILUENT SHUTOFF VALVE. _____________***** TEST DILUENT BYPASS VALVE _____________ BOTTOM DIAPHRAGM TO TEST DILUENT ADD VALVE _____________ TURN UNIT ON _____________ OPEN OXYGEN SHUTOFF VALVE _____________***** TEST OXYGEN BYPASS VALVE _____________ WHEN SOLENOID STOPS, CHECK PRIMARY FOR "O" LIGHT _____________ SECONDARY SENSOR READINGS #1______#2______#3______ _____________ LEAK CHECK TURN UNIT OFF UNTIL DIVE
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