Why is DIN not the standard in diving?

[ktomlinson]

I dive DIN at home, but usually have to use an adapter when on vacation. I did run across adaptable tanks in Mexico last week and was pleasantly surprised. What y'all are saying about threads and damage does make sense.

 

[boulderjohn]

I guess this has to do with the longevity of rental equipment? It's pretty hard to damage a yoke... but the DIN screw-threads on the cylinder valve or regulator only take a klutz to destroy...

Or an untimely and unexpected wave.

When a tank was tipped over in such a case, we could not get the regulator out of the valve through normal means. It required a pair of channel lock pliers. Then we would not get it back in. We were able to salvage the valve by taking a stainless steel DIN plug and forcing it all the way in with a big wrench.

 

[Tigerman]

With DIN everyone is running in and out of threads. When you have Tom Dick and Harry using the same tank a lot of wear takes place. Some folks are real klutzs when it comes to matting threads. Even the use of beat up fill station whips can haunt your valve and then you regulator connector. A yoke connection is a clean face mating and it's transparent from user to user.

Sand or grit in a DIN connector is no fun. Yoke is more forgiving where this is an issue, hopefully never but crap happens.

A DIN connector's swivel stem can break free especially if distubed before pressurizing.

If you rinse a yoke connection before breaking it free the other critical surfaces are clean ad dry. DIN connectors and valves require periodic thread cleaning since they are exposed to the salt when in the ocean. This goes back to the first point where ow we have saly encrusted threads mating again and again.

I agree that DIN is a more positive connector. However don't kid yourself into believing that it is a panacea and yoke users are fools. Yoke is much more amenable to transient resort users.

Pete

PS, I use both.

I guess this has to do with the longevity of rental equipment? It's pretty hard to damage a yoke... but the DIN screw-threads on the cylinder valve or regulator only take a klutz to destroy...

I keep hearing the busted up threads/falling over tanks busting up tanks/1st stage arguments a lot, yet Im yet to see it and I do dive a fair bit in locations where the standard setup is din with yoke insert 1st stages..
Im sure it happens, but Im yet to see it. Maybe american divers are more adept at busting up- DIN valves/1st stages than european divers?

 

[Oldbear]

... Maybe american divers are more adept at busting up- DIN valves/1st stages than european divers?

Dude there is a lot of truth in that statement. We Americans can bust anything in no time flat.

Just look at lavatories in Cozumel.:grinbandit: The local Mexicans might not fix them but it was probably an obnoxious American who broke it in the first place, then bitched about the lack of toilet paper.:glad:


Oh how I love my country.

 

[Searcaigh]

I usually use DINs with my own tanks diving locally however my travel reg is a yoke as I rarely see DIN valves on overseas rental tanks.

Plus I dont think you can use a yoke on a 300 bar tank.

 

[supergaijin]

I had one of my DIN valves get dented (thus destroyed) when it rolled as it was being loaded on the trolley we use to transport tanks. Made me swear.... a lot. Otherwise no problems besides a bit of corrosion as mentioned before.

Personally I prefer DIN over yoke in my rental tanks. Most divers insist on cranking their regs when attaching to the the tank which results in many many cut O-rings. Not a huge, huge cost, but a cost all the same.

 

[Crass3000]

Most divers insist on cranking their regs when attaching to the the tank which results in many many cut O-rings. Not a huge, huge cost, but a cost all the same.

Dumb question I assume but you are talking about DIN right? Forgive me, I have never used DIN.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

Economics ... a standard "K" valve is generally $10-$20 less expensive than a Thermo "Pro" (convertible) or DIN valve. When you're outfitting a fleet of 100 or more (rental) tanks and considering the potential longevity of the valve (i.e. how much abuse it can take before it needs replacing), a K valve makes economic sense.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[Dr. Lecter]

DIN is overhead-friendly, while yoke is idiot-friendly. Most rental gear sees much more of the latter than the former.

 

[supergaijin]

Dumb question I assume but you are talking about DIN right? Forgive me, I have never used DIN.

Actually yoke- it's quite hard to put too much stress on DIN valve O-rings.