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Lsdeep |
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Post subject: Converting a BioPak 60
 Posted: Apr 02, 2007 - 03:29 AM
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Joined: Feb 18, 2007
Posts: 125
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There are many different ways to convert a BioPak 60 so it can be used for SCUBA. There are also many benefits of rebreather diving and many risks as well. Only you will know if the benefits outweight the risks for you. If you use ANY of our information we WILL NOT be held responsible for your death. We post this as information ONLY to educate and in NO way would we ever recommend you attempt building your own rebreather. If you attempt this, it is your choice and decision. If you do so without any training a rebreather CAN and WILL kill you. Open water certification does not prepare you for diving on a rebreather in any way shape or form. It is TOTALLY different. A quote I saw online was from Gordon Smith's web site is:
"You can live for a few weeks without food, a few days without water, but only a few minutes without oxygen. A CCR can kill you in a matter of minutes and only you can prevent it from killing you. People have died while using the most sophisticated rebreathers in existence which have multiple computers, warning lights, audible alarms, etc. Hundreds more people have died using the simplest rebreather in existence, a plastic bag tied over their head. It is more difficult to kill yourself with the plastic bag."
Below you will see the way we choose to convert the BioPak for SCUBA.
Ask yourself WHY in the world you would want to do this. As long as you can come up with a logical answer, then you too can build your own scuba equipment. But, you better know your life DOES and WILL depend on your skills and knowledge when you attempt this. You are designing your own life support equipment if you do this. When you begin testing make sure you have a bail out plan, because you WILL NOT get it perfect the first try for sure. Also, make sure you have a buddy to bail you out in the worst case scenario.
Strip the whole BioPak apart until you have nothing but the plastic housing. Take some pictures as you do this so you will know how to put it back together in case you decide this is something you cannot do.
The two pieces of copper to the scrubber housing at most, is all you should need to keep. We were able to remove 100% of the copper in the BioPak, but most will not be able to do this.
First thing you will have to do is rotate the scrubber housing so the hoses come out at 12 o'clock. We tried to save this step in our first mod, but ended up doing a second mod just to do this. You will have to cut a hole for the hoses to come out the top. The hole will be just above where you will secure the top part of the case to the bottom.
Next step is a trip to Home Depot or another type of home improvement store. Yes, this is the best place to build or modify a homebuilt rebreather. You will need a mouth piece (DSV). What we used is a 3/4" ball valve and a 1/2" PVC tube, very short only like 3". Your total price for your new mouth piece should come to about $4.00 or less. A ball valve is about $3.00 or so and the other piece, a 1/2” coupling is about .15 cents. Also, while you’re there, do yourself a favor and pick up Epoxy Putty. We owe that to Tom Rose and we call it Tom's putty.
Next step is to create your mouth piece. You will need to drill a hole on the bottom of the 3/4'” ball valve. Make sure it is centered; this is how you will be breathing from the rebreather. This is where you will also use the epoxy to seal the tube to the ball valve. Once you have this done you can start to work on your new tubing for the rebreather.
We wanted to use as much of the rebreather as we could, for the simple reason, everything in it is a proven design and works as it is. We only modified things that would not work correctly underwater or could fail in salt water. You have to know if you will use the tank that comes with it or house your tanks externally. If you have external tanks then working with the BioPak will be a breeze, because you gain a lot of room. If you are keeping the tank internally you have to work around the tank for tubing. We used both stainless steel and nylon tubing which is rated to more than double the pressure that will ever be put through it and makes it a breeze to tube. The nylon tubing and parts will cost a little more but are well worth it for the ease of use.
Next thing is, are you making this a totally manual rebreather or will you use a "KISS style" for a constant flow. The "KISS Style" is thanks to Gordon Smith. If you use the KISS style you will have to either have a metering valve or a fixed orifice to provide a constant flow of O2, less O2 that you would need of course. We used a metering valve in our design. If you use a metering valve make sure it CANNOT be bumped or adjusted underwater
Now the fun starts! Once you know what design you will want it is now time to connect all the pieces and make it fit. Always keep in mind if you are keeping the tank internally you will have to be able to remove and replace it to fill it. So do not block the tank in or you will have to redo your design. If using stainless steel you will have to have more for the redesign.
You will also need to either build your own PPO2 monitoring device or buy a commercial one. Hammerhead Electronics has a very nice unit and also costs $2,995.00. Or, if you can solder you can buy a complete display that has some assembly required but only costs about $170.00 from Mark Munro. Mark is very quick and answers questions very fast as well. I bought a 3 display system from him and that is what I am using in my rebreather.
Once you have all this completed you can start your couch test, and then pool testing. When in the pool be sure to have EVERYTHING on that you would have on in an open water dive. Last thing you need is to not have something on then do your open water testing and find out a piece of your equipment blocks something like your manual addition valve. All equipment issues have to be worked out BEFORE the open water test.
If you have any questions feel free to contact either Wayne Journey or myself, Ted Zarcone if we do not know the answer to a question we can at least point you in the right direction. If you do design your own rebreather Let us know and we can either link your pictures from our site or host some pictures for you on our site as well.
For more information or to contact Wayne or Ted please visit their website www.rebreathertech.com |
_________________
Idealism is what precedes experience - cynicism is what follows.
Last edited by Lsdeep on Apr 02, 2007 - 10:04 PM; edited 1 time in total
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pir8 |
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Post subject: RE: Converting a BioPak 60
Posted: Apr 02, 2007 - 08:32 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Philadelphia
Status: Offline
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| Pictures???? |
_________________
Never say Never! Its almost as long a time as always!
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Lsdeep |
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Post subject: RE: Converting a BioPak 60
Posted: Apr 02, 2007 - 08:45 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Feb 18, 2007
Posts: 125
Status: Offline
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go to waynes and teds website there is a link to pics also. i thought since it is not a project for joe doe to attempt at home i dont put too much wrong ideas in peoples minds. you can contact them also about more details. i wouldnt attempt to do the conversion based on this basic outline  . |
_________________
Idealism is what precedes experience - cynicism is what follows.
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pir8 |
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Post subject: RE: Converting a BioPak 60
Posted: Apr 02, 2007 - 09:53 PM
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Site Admin
Joined: Mar 08, 2007
Posts: 38
Location: Philadelphia
Status: Offline
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| Fair enough |
_________________
Never say Never! Its almost as long a time as always!
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