Add a VR-3 to your Breathing Hoses

Diver Dave's "Adding the VR-3 to your Breathing Hoses"

The one issue at present is that the sensor block as delivered from DeltaP is specifically adapted to the Buddy Inspiration, not surprising since they are both products of the UK and complement each other in the marketplace. Since I do not have an Inspiration, I asked Kevin Gurr at Phoenix/DeltaP to provide me a sensor block without the threaded fittings to attach it to the Inspiration, and then machined a pair of adapters to allow it to be places in the hose of any rebreather. Here's how I did it:

Here is the VR-3 sensor block for the Inspiration, without the threaded fittings normal provided, flanked by the two Delrin adapters that I machined to adapt it to a normal set of hoses. I didn't think to take a picture of the block alone until after I had epoxied the assembly together, but you can see what I started with here, in between the two parts that I machined and permanently installed. Since I am in the USA, OMS distributes the VR-3 here and that's their sticker. In other parts of the world, you can obtain the VR-3 directly from DeltaP.

Two adapter spools were machined from solid black Delrin bar stock. This is the DSV-Hose side. It fits tightly into the original sensor block and has a slot (not shown) to allow gas to pass into the sensor plenum upon each inhalation breath.

And here is the feed spool that is connected to the breathing hose stub that attaches to the rig. The hose that I selected is the one normally fitted to the Draeger Ray, as they are available, inexpensive, and happen to fit the Ray DSV, which has proven itself to be a good and simple DSV at a reasonable price. The flange on the right side is exactly the same dimension as the one on the original Draeger fitting. If you wanted to use this on another type of hose, the flange to prevent the hose from slipping from the fitting would be customized for the application.

Here's the completed block. The fittings are permanently attached to the sensor block with black epoxy, and the assembly is indistinguishable from what would have been provided from the factory, should the factory have decided to furnish it set up like this.

Lastly, here is the hose assembly including the Ray DSV and scrubber connections for a Draeger FGT-1D. A simple interchange of the fittings at the end of the hoses allows me to use the same hose assembly on my Mark-15's as well as on the FGT. Notice the typically Draeger "Port and Starboard" color coding of the connectors used on the FGT-1D. How very nautical and practical!

That's it for this project. It took an afternoon on the lathe and the result is well worth it. For other applications, attaching other adapters would make it fit any rig. I'm making up a second set of adapters now to allow this system to be installed into the hoses of a Draeger Dolphin, as several Mark-15 divers have adapted these large-bore hoses to their rigs. This method complements the second project, a new sensor holder that allows the sensor and cable to be simply plugged into a Draeger Oxygauge port. This is an excellent solution for Dolphin divers, as well as for any homebuilders who have added an Oxygauge port to their counterlungs. I've sent these photos directly to DeltaP and have the feeling that they will become a factory option in the near future. In the meanwhile, if you want a VR-3 set up like this, order one with a blank sensor module and get a friend to do your machine-shop work. Heck, if you make friends with me, I may even help you!

Dave Sutton

Back to the VR-3 Page

	Here is the VR-3 sensor block for the Inspiration, without the threaded fittings normal provided, flanked by the two Delrin adapters that I machined to adapt it to a normal set of hoses. I didn't think to take a picture of the block alone until after I had epoxied the assembly together, but you can see what I started with here, in between the two parts that I machined and permanently installed. Since I am in the USA, OMS distributes the VR-3 here and that's their sticker. In other parts of the world, you can obtain the VR-3 directly from DeltaP.
	Two adapter spools were machined from solid black Delrin bar stock. This is the DSV-Hose side. It fits tightly into the original sensor block and has a slot (not shown) to allow gas to pass into the sensor plenum upon each inhalation breath.
	And here is the feed spool that is connected to the breathing hose stub that attaches to the rig. The hose that I selected is the one normally fitted to the Draeger Ray, as they are available, inexpensive, and happen to fit the Ray DSV, which has proven itself to be a good and simple DSV at a reasonable price. The flange on the right side is exactly the same dimension as the one on the original Draeger fitting. If you wanted to use this on another type of hose, the flange to prevent the hose from slipping from the fitting would be customized for the application.
	Here's the completed block. The fittings are permanently attached to the sensor block with black epoxy, and the assembly is indistinguishable from what would have been provided from the factory, should the factory have decided to furnish it set up like this.
	Lastly, here is the hose assembly including the Ray DSV and scrubber connections for a Draeger FGT-1D. A simple interchange of the fittings at the end of the hoses allows me to use the same hose assembly on my Mark-15's as well as on the FGT. Notice the typically Draeger "Port and Starboard" color coding of the connectors used on the FGT-1D. How very nautical and practical!