Modification procedures for the new fire fighter SCBA air cylinder.

[Bill Blackhurst]

I was doodling today at my workbench, & realized that the new super session instituted by Playmobil for the yellow air cylinder used for the fire fighter SCBA air pack was not to my standards. First, let's look at what has taken place.


The original air cylinder part number 30098960 on the left side of the picture was specifically designed to be used only with the fire fighter SCBA grey air pack frame part number 30098950. It has worked well for years! Then for some reason there has been a decision to supersede the 30098960 air cylinder with the yellow scuba divers air cylinder part number 30030130 shown on the right side of the picture with no production modifications! If any one else has noticed besides me, the new air cylinder is longer, & causes the rubber regulator hose part number 30098970 to have too much tension, or stress from the control valve to where it attaches to the right side of the grey air pack frame. Without some type of field modifications to the SCBA system, the rubber regulator hose will continually become detached from the frame, & stick out in mid air which is very frustrating! So here are some of the ways I have come up with to cure the problem!

The following procedures are to be done by adults only! Children are to ask for assistance from adults, & not to attempt to do these procedures by themselves with no exceptions!

Method 1





Step 1 of the first method which is my preferred procedure I have developed is to take the new super session tank, & use a number 36 machinist's drill bit to enlarge the regulator hole at the regulator attachment end of the air cylinder as shown.


Step 2 is to use a razor blade or hobby knife to shave or remove the flange collar from the regulator attachment end of the cylinder.






Step 3 will be to take a small file, & dress the end of the air cylinder to a smooth surface as shown.




When the previous steps have been accomplished, you can then assemble the modified air cylinder in to the grey back support frame, & attach the black rubber regulator hose as noted in the sets instructions. There should be enough slack in the hose to keep it from coming loose in the future.

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Method 2
 



Step 1 of the second method is to take the rubber regulator hose part number 30098970, & cut the hose in half on the short end from the control knob to the grey back frame connector.







Step 2 is to cut the halves leaving approximately 1/8 inch of remanent to splice into the new rubber hose section.


Step 3 I have found a small design hose 5 yards/4.5 m long, Outside Diameter 2 mm/.080 inch, Inside Diameter 1mm/.040 inch at a local hobby supply shop that is used in bead necklace crafting. It is called Pony Bead Lacing, & it is a tubular design!

I use a 7/8 inch length of it to splice on to the two end pieces as shown in the following pictures. Use a pair of tweezers to force the stub remanent ends in to the splice section.












-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Method 3

is using a drop of hot glue on the hose to grey frame connector, but I didn't have good luck with this procedure.

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I hope this helps everyone having this problem.

[playmofire]

Thanks for those very detailed alternative methods, Bill.  I winder if the tube for the fire extinguisher would be an alternative to the tubing you found?  Also, an extension to the hose on the left hand side (to the face mask) would be of benefit when using the BA sets with the firefighters with the orange jackets, e.g. from set 3881.

[playmovictorian]

Brilliant demonstration in pictures Bill 

Karim

[kaethe]

wow!!! i am always amazed at the meticulous attention to detail that you and many other members, here, have.
thank you for sharing.
kaethe

[Bill Blackhurst]

Thanks for those very detailed alternative methods, Bill.  I winder if the tube for the fire extinguisher would be an alternative to the tubing you found?  Also, an extension to the hose on the left hand side (to the face mask) would be of benefit when using the BA sets with the firefighters with the orange jackets, e.g. from set 3881.

Hi Gordon!
I'll send you some of the black hose in bulk to use for your orange vested figure SCBA conversions in the next few weeks. The fire extinguisher hoses are too large in diameter as discovered from my past experiments.

[Bill Blackhurst]

Thank you everyone for your kind reviews of this customization! It is greatly appreciated  !

[playmofire]

Hi Gordon!
I'll send you some of the black hose in bulk to use for your orange vested figure SCBA conversions in the next few weeks. The fire extinguisher hoses are too large in diameter as discovered from my past experiments.

Thanks, Bill, that'll be great and I'll extend both sides then.

[Bill Blackhurst]

Thanks, Bill, that'll be great and I'll extend both sides then.

I went ahead, & with Gordon's recommendation, did an extended hose length modification for both sides of the regulator hose, & you were spot on Gordon! It will make a world of difference as far as making more freedom of movement possible.


This shows the extended left side regulator hose from the control valve to the mask, & how it needs to be restrained due to the exceeding length.


A picture showing the extended length compared to an original unmodified regulator hose.


A picture showing the longer regulator hose being restrained by a metal ring to the air pack frame support.




A picture showing the ability to turn the figures head to the right with no obstruction due to the extended regulator hose.


Another picture of the free movement.


& another.


A better view of the regulator hose retaining ring.

Great idea Gordon! I hope this is what you had in mind!

[playmofire]

Thanks for that excellent series of pictures, Bill.  They are just what I had in mind, although the restraining ring for the air hose is a refinement I hadn't thought of.  In the past I have used the "up and under" route for the air hose but just slotted it between the frame of the figure's body.

What size ring did you use, please?

[Bill Blackhurst]

Thanks for that excellent series of pictures, Bill.  They are just what I had in mind, although the restraining ring for the air hose is a refinement I hadn't thought of.  In the past I have used the "up and under" route for the air hose but just slotted it between the frame of the figure's body.

What size ring did you use, please?

I'm glad it will work for you! The ring size is 1/4" outside diameter found in craft shops. I'll send you a couple rings with the bulk hose, & the modified regulator hose example in the picture being shipped to you. With the new thicker regulator hose being utilized, I was required to find an alternative routing method, hence the new ring adaption.