Looking for A-14 (or similar) pressure breathing diluter demand regulator

I guess times have changed.Â* I got two vintage regulators from a museum
where my brother worked.Â* Using those two and a car inner tube for a
diaphragm, I made a serviceable regulator.Â* I flew with it for several
years in Colorado.Â* I don't think I ever took it above 18,000', however.

On 10/31/2018 2:15 PM, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB

--
Dan, 5J

On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 3:15:54 PM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
I guess times have changed.Â* I got two vintage regulators from a museum
where my brother worked.Â* Using those two and a car inner tube for a
diaphragm, I made a serviceable regulator.Â* I flew with it for several
years in Colorado.Â* I don't think I ever took it above 18,000', however.

On 10/31/2018 2:15 PM, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB

--
Dan, 5J

At least time of useful consciousness at double lennie height doesn't give much time to rethink "penny wise, pound foolish" decisions.
Jim

Not penny wise, just the efforts of someone who likes to "find a way"
and knows what he's capable of and what not to try.Â* I've had a cabin
pressure loss at FL450 so I know how pressure breathing feels.

On 10/31/2018 4:25 PM, JS wrote:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 3:15:54 PM UTC-7, Dan Marotta wrote:
I guess times have changed.Â* I got two vintage regulators from a museum
where my brother worked.Â* Using those two and a car inner tube for a
diaphragm, I made a serviceable regulator.Â* I flew with it for several
years in Colorado.Â* I don't think I ever took it above 18,000', however.

On 10/31/2018 2:15 PM, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB
--
Dan, 5J
At least time of useful consciousness at double lennie height doesn't give much time to rethink "penny wise, pound foolish" decisions.
Jim

--
Dan, 5J

On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 4:15:59 PM UTC-4, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB

I had the A8A in my Libelle rebuilt and yellow-tagged more than 30 years ago. The shop said they used their last good bourdon tube on it, so they were officially out of the A8A rebuilding business. The parts situation has most likely not improved since then, so I think it is time to retire these old devices.
Uli
'AS'

On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 9:37:37 PM UTC-5, AS wrote:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 4:15:59 PM UTC-4, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB

I had the A8A in my Libelle rebuilt and yellow-tagged more than 30 years ago. The shop said they used their last good bourdon tube on it, so they were officially out of the A8A rebuilding business. The parts situation has most likely not improved since then, so I think it is time to retire these old devices.
Uli
'AS'

Available new from Fluid power, Hudson Ohio.

I'm just going to drop this little nugget here.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265036.php

Everyone gets to make their own choices.

T8

On Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 11:06:00 AM UTC-4, Scott Williams wrote:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 9:37:37 PM UTC-5, AS wrote:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 4:15:59 PM UTC-4, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB

I had the A8A in my Libelle rebuilt and yellow-tagged more than 30 years ago. The shop said they used their last good bourdon tube on it, so they were officially out of the A8A rebuilding business. The parts situation has most likely not improved since then, so I think it is time to retire these old devices.
Uli
'AS'

Available new from Fluid power, Hudson Ohio.

Scott - I see brand new A14s offered for sale on their web-site but no new A8As. Even doing a key-word search does not return a hit. Maybe they are able to recondition an A8A.
Sorry for the thread-drift!
Uli
'AS'

On Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 12:40:23 PM UTC-5, AS wrote:
On Thursday, November 1, 2018 at 11:06:00 AM UTC-4, Scott Williams wrote:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 9:37:37 PM UTC-5, AS wrote:
On Wednesday, October 31, 2018 at 4:15:59 PM UTC-4, SoaringXCellence wrote:
Dan,

The problem is finding anyone with the rebuild parts for the A-8. I've been told that they are no longer available, unless someone has a good set hidden away. I have two A-8 regulators, but I can't even give them away without an overhaul.

MB

I had the A8A in my Libelle rebuilt and yellow-tagged more than 30 years ago. The shop said they used their last good bourdon tube on it, so they were officially out of the A8A rebuilding business. The parts situation has most likely not improved since then, so I think it is time to retire these old devices.
Uli
'AS'

Available new from Fluid power, Hudson Ohio.

Scott - I see brand new A14s offered for sale on their web-site but no new A8As. Even doing a key-word search does not return a hit. Maybe they are able to recondition an A8A.
Sorry for the thread-drift!
Uli
'AS'

OP asked for an A-14
Scott

You know what you're doing it seems, but if you're planning on using the MH and A14 systems together look over the NTSB accident report (WPR09FA089). Though the probable cause of this incident was not pinned on any failure of the MH/A14 dual setup, they seem to have spent considerable effort looking into it in the 200 page document. Not trying to scare anyone, just that there's some practical things worth implementing from it. The pilot had previously set a state altitude record around 33K' and on this flight was above 38K' when something went wrong. He appeared to be a very experienced, but quite cautious, pilot.

The issue with the U2 pilots was that they were wearing uninflated suits in a cabin pressure way too low. Even 100% oxygen is insufficient at high-enough altitudes (The USAF has since increased their minimum cabin pressure). Caution is well-noted as several glider pilots suffered chronically after they repeatedly sought altitude records. Good reading is the recent Soaring Mag article on oxygen use.

On Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at 2:32:17 PM UTC-7, Keith Schwab wrote:
Hi Everyone!
I'm looking for an A-14 regulator, or something similar, to prepare for higher altitude wave flights in the Sierra. Curious if anyone has an one laying around they might be willing to part with or lend for a season.
Thanks!
Keith



I have one but it hasn't been used in well over decade at least - another club member was changing to the EDS system and offered me his A-14, mask and bailout bottle for a handful of coin of the realm. I have no idea when it was last checked or overhauled so I wouldn't think it a good idea to use it as is. Anyone know what an average overhaul cost is on one?