looking for an odd doubles manifold

[DM240897]

hi there,

Im looking for a certain doubles manifold. Im not sure if such thing exist, but if anyone has any knowledge of what im about to describe pls. let me know where I could get one or let me know what its called.

here goes... im looking for a device or manifold that could hook up to 2 alluminum 80 with yoke valves, then put a regulator on this maniforl.

I will be travelling in asia and I have to rent tanks somewhere there. more than likely im gonna be renting a single AL80 which is a common tank for rent. what I want to do is bring my own bands, secure 2 tanks together and use it as doubles. now since the tanks are rental, I wont be able to alter its valves and put a real doubles manifold on it. so what I need is something to attach on both the valves of the 2 tanks, then attach one regulator. someone suggested just to band 2 tanks together then put 2 regs on each tank. im avoiding using 2 regs and using a real manifold because wont have much time to fool around with rented tanks, plus im sure they wont let me disassemble their tanks to put a real manifold. and besides that would take much time. appreciate any help on this issue.

Mike H.

 

[ajduplessis]

It would be easier to rent pre-configured doubles there IMO.

 

[Tortuga68]

Putting 2 regs on 2 tanks is going to take less 'fooling around' than this manifold setup you're talking about

According to your profile you have a Nomad sidemount rig so why not use that with independant doubles

Doubles with only 1 first stage is limiting your redundancy

What type of dives are you planning on doing?

 

[JKPAO]

I think you are talking about a suicide bar (not the real name of the device). I CRS I do not have one anymore, but some one on here may have one for sale!?
See you topside! John

 

[Tortuga68]

Yeah suicide or cheater bar is what he's talking about

Hard to say if either is the best solution though without knowing more

 

[diversteve]

What you need is a new version of something like this - since it's vintage, the spacing will be wrong for [-]AL-80's.[/-] newer tanks.

 

[herman]

I don't have photos of it right now but a lot heaver one was made by Sherwood or Dacor, I forget which off hand. I have one that I use to transfer gas between 80s. However, a much easier solution is just to get 2 regs and dive independent doubles, then there is no need to worry about alignment. Considering what these old bars are hard to find and can be pricey, independent doubles make better sence.

 

[Tortuga68]

Especially when he already has a Nomad

 

[Gilldiver]

What you are talking about is a yoke cross over also know as a “cheater bar” or a “suicide bar.” But to make it all work you will need a way of holding both tanks, you could use standard bands or use some travel bands like these:
Ultimate Velcro Double Bands by Capt. Dan Berg
or these
OMS Cylinder Soft Bands and Cylinder Adapters http://www.OMSdive.com
But, as some have already stated, why not just do independent doubles. The way we worked them for shallower/shorter dives in the 80’s and 90’s (remember this is pre-DIR/GUE/UTD/…. So don’t start rock bottom etc. etc. on me) was to use 3 80’s. On the first dive you breathed down both tanks in cycles till one hit 50% and then went 100% on to the other for the remainder of the dive. For the next dive you replace the “empty” tank with a full one and used the ½ empty tank from the first dive as your back up. More then a few of the deeper wrecks in Truk were dove this way on air only a few years ago.
Just bring some travel bands, your regs, and BC, no cheater bar needed.

 

[Scared Silly]

US Divers Vintage Scuba Tank Manifold - eBay (item 290523909700 end time Jan-23-11 18:21:59 PST)