Add a VR-3 to your Draeger

Diver Dave's "Adding the VR-3 to your Oxygauge Port"

Making up an adapter to install the VR-3 into a Draeger Oxygauge port was an obvious solution to getting the computer to work on many different rebreather designs. Installing an Oxygauge Port is a very simple job that can be done on just about every rebreather using a fabric counterlung. Since that includes just about every rig other than the Mark-15, this is a good thing! I think I'd even prefer to install the VR-3 into an Inspiration using this technique, as the installation is a lot cleaner without the Tee fitting as normally furnished. Here's how I did it:

Here's the short and simple answer: I cloned the dimensions of the original blanking port that is used to plug an Oxygauge Port when it's not being used, and then adapted the new piece to hold a Teledyne K1-D sensor internally. Both the R-22D and K1-D are 10mv nominal voltage in air, the R-22D being the original sensor selected by DeltaP, and the K1-D being selected for this installation due to the small size. On the bottom is the original blanking plug, on the top is the new sensor holder with the cable installed.

The new probe is machined from solid black delrin, and is internally contoured to hold the K1-D with the face of the sensor recessed about 1/4 of an inch below the flat surface of the probe. This was done to protect the sensor face when the counterlung is fully collapsed. I placed the cord at a 90 degree angle to the housing to provide a low profile for installation. The cable entry is potted with silicone potting compound and epoxy, and the cable is the original type as provided by DeltaP.

Once the sensor is installed into the new probe, the cord plugs into the VR-3 just as would the original cable attached to the Inspiration Tee.

Here's the installation in my Draeger FGT-1D. This is a super way to go about it, far superior to mounting the bulky Tee at the divers shoulder. I recommend it as the main way to install an 02 sensor for the VR-3 in any rebreather other than the Mark-15, which does not have a conventional counterlung. I am very pleased with the outcome. The bottom line here is that the VR-3 provides the same functions as an Oxygauge, Depth-Gauge, Timer, and Decompression-Computer, with the added advantage of doing trimix and nitrox deco based on measured PP02 as well as providing open-circuit bailout decompression. For a cost similar to that of all of the replaced items, the VR-3 does more.

That's it! Now my VR-3 can be slapped onto my FGT-1D, and all of the Russian rigs that I dive. I call that a compatible system! I hope you agree. Making this was not rocket science, it just took some time and thought. If you'd like one, bug the folks at DeltaP and they'll probably begin manufacture according to my design. Until then you can try your luck at bugging me for one.

Dave Sutton

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	Here's the short and simple answer: I cloned the dimensions of the original blanking port that is used to plug an Oxygauge Port when it's not being used, and then adapted the new piece to hold a Teledyne K1-D sensor internally. Both the R-22D and K1-D are 10mv nominal voltage in air, the R-22D being the original sensor selected by DeltaP, and the K1-D being selected for this installation due to the small size. On the bottom is the original blanking plug, on the top is the new sensor holder with the cable installed.
	The new probe is machined from solid black delrin, and is internally contoured to hold the K1-D with the face of the sensor recessed about 1/4 of an inch below the flat surface of the probe. This was done to protect the sensor face when the counterlung is fully collapsed. I placed the cord at a 90 degree angle to the housing to provide a low profile for installation. The cable entry is potted with silicone potting compound and epoxy, and the cable is the original type as provided by DeltaP.
	Once the sensor is installed into the new probe, the cord plugs into the VR-3 just as would the original cable attached to the Inspiration Tee.
	Here's the installation in my Draeger FGT-1D. This is a super way to go about it, far superior to mounting the bulky Tee at the divers shoulder. I recommend it as the main way to install an 02 sensor for the VR-3 in any rebreather other than the Mark-15, which does not have a conventional counterlung. I am very pleased with the outcome. The bottom line here is that the VR-3 provides the same functions as an Oxygauge, Depth-Gauge, Timer, and Decompression-Computer, with the added advantage of doing trimix and nitrox deco based on measured PP02 as well as providing open-circuit bailout decompression. For a cost similar to that of all of the replaced items, the VR-3 does more.