Mixing DIN and Yoke Regs on Doubles

[Vegan Shark]

I am about to finally buy a second reg for my journey into doubles, and after reading the DIN vs Yoke debates have decided to go with DIN. Only issue is that my other reg is a yoke. Since doubles have two valves can I just have one valve be DIN and the other yoke, and use a 200 bar manifold? Tanks will be Worthington HP130s.

(Yeah, I know I could convert the yoke reg to DIN, but I just want to leave it as is if possible)

Thanks for helping out the newbie, oh wise tech diver senseis!

 

[PfcAJ]

NO.

Yoke regs can dislodge from contact with the cave ceiling or rocks against the yoke knob. They have no place in cave diving when such a better option exists for like 50 bucks.

Veto.

 

[Centrals]

NO.
Yoke regs can dislodge from contact with the cave ceiling or rocks against the yoke knob. They have no place in cave diving when such a better option exists for like 50 bucks.
Veto.

He didn't mention overhead environment at all.
Most divers use A-clamp for ow dive and I never heard that rocks might knock it off!

 

[PfcAJ]

Given that OP was just posting in the cave diving forum recently, I made the leap of answering cave-specifically.

Since you rightfully point out that we are not in the cave forum, I will rephrase my answer appropriately:

NO

Yoke regs can dislodge from contact with ANYTHING (wrecks included) and present an increased profile for entanglement in lines/nets. They have no place in technical diving when such a better option exists for like 50 bucks.

Veto.

 

[ianr33]

Yes you can do that. Won't get many style points,but you can do it.

Be careful which "valve " you are undoing during valve drills !!

 

[Vegan Shark]

You made me double check to make sure I didn't accidentally post in the cave forum

For now the doubles will just be for open water shore dives. When I get into cave/ice/penetration wreck diving I'll be certain to only use DIN. Mares' conversion kit is $75 so didn't think it was worth the time and money when the only thing that would be likely to bump my tank is a blind/drunk sea lion.

I was just confused about the 200 bar vs 300 bar distinction when reading the other threads on this topic, which is why I am asking. What I got from the threads is that using yokes on older HP tanks that had a 3500 fill pressure was bad, and they required 300 bar manifolds. But newer HP tanks, like the Worthingtons, that are 3442 fill pressure are fine with 200 bar manifolds and yokes. And that while yoke can be used on 200 bar but not 300, DIN can be used on both. So that mixing should be fine....right?

Or will having 2 different valves installed be unnecessarily complicated?

 

[ianr33]

Get a 200 BAR manifold. Put an insert (Doughnut) into one side. Put the yoke reg on that. (Only works with 200 BAR manifolds, not 300! )

If you are concerned about $75, you may wish to consider if tech diving is really for you.......

 

[PfcAJ]

You "can" do it. Yes. You need a 200b manifold and just put in a yoke insert on the side you plan on using the yoke reg. I still think a proper DIN reg is way better. Yoke sucks.

Imo, 200b is the superior manifold, anyway. Occasionally, the longer 300b DIN can get bent out of round, turning it into a paperweight. Less likely to happen with the shorter 200b connector.

 

[lv2dive]

Concur with AJ re 200 bar for all reasons mentioned PLUS it just takes forever to screw the regs in the danged 300 bar valves/manifold.

Another thought... Instead of getting a conversion kit why don't you keep that yoke reg for your recreational reef vacation first stage and buy a (second) DIN first stage? You can find used regs at reasonable costs.

---------- Post added December 14th, 2013 at 10:37 PM ----------

This was nicely said. I would, literally, have to go count my regs to figure how many I have.

...
If you are concerned about $75, you may wish to consider if tech diving is really for you.......

 

[PfcAJ]

it just takes forever to screw the regs in the danged 300 bar valves/manifold.

Ugggghhh this!! Probably the most convincing reason to move to 200b. H8 my 300b valves.