19cuft Catalina Pony Question

[BoltSnap]

I'd use my MK2/R380 for the pony. I was thinking of attaching the pony SS to a necklace. I am not sure if the R380 SS is reversible. I guess I'll have to check.

 

[txapacheguy]

Not to hijack, but today was my first time in the water with a slung bottle. I now have two 19cf ponies, both set up with stage rigging. I hopped in the pool this morning to try out my new drygloves, drysuit hood, fins, and pony that I have obtained since my last bit of diving.

The pony is set up with a Poseidon Jetstream 1st and 2nd stages with about a 27' hose. I chose to initially bungee the 2nd stage and hose to the tank when not in use with two bungie loops, and left the system pressurized with the 2nd stage set for higher resistance to avoid freeflow.

The only thing I had a little trouble with was clipping the bolt snaps to my left side D-rings on my BP/W harness with the dry gloves on, especially the lower one.(I was there to practice skills and try my new goodies prior to ice diving in a month or two so I practiced this a bit.) It was a little hard to get to my SPG clip on the left lower D-ring as well, but that is to be expected I guess. From a complete "slug-bottle-noobs" perspective, I thought it went pretty well, and I really did not notice any extra drag or swimming resistance while using it.

Looking forward to improving my comfort and proficiency for dealing with new gear configurations. Thanks for all the ideas and discussion!!!

 

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Not to hijack, but today was my first time in the water with a slung bottle. I now have two 19cf ponies, both set up with stage rigging. I hopped in the pool this morning to try out my new drygloves, drysuit hood, fins, and pony that I have obtained since my last bit of diving.

The pony is set up with a Poseidon Jetstream 1st and 2nd stages with about a 27' hose. I chose to initially bungee the 2nd stage and hose to the tank when not in use with two bungie loops, and left the system pressurized with the 2nd stage set for higher resistance to avoid freeflow.

The only thing I had a little trouble with was clipping the bolt snaps to my left side D-rings on my BP/W harness with the dry gloves on, especially the lower one.(I was there to practice skills and try my new goodies prior to ice diving in a month or two so I practiced this a bit.) It was a little hard to get to my SPG clip on the left lower D-ring as well, but that is to be expected I guess. From a complete "slug-bottle-noobs" perspective, I thought it went pretty well, and I really did not notice any extra drag or swimming resistance while using it.

Looking forward to improving my comfort and proficiency for dealing with new gear configurations. Thanks for all the ideas and discussion!!!

Out of curiosity... why 2 x AL19 rather than a single AL40 for ice diving? Also, did you select the more complex upstream regulator on purpose for the pony or just reuse existing gear?

 

[txapacheguy]

Out of curiosity... why 2 x AL19 rather than a single AL40 for ice diving? Also, did you select the more complex upstream regulator on purpose for the pony or just reuse existing gear?

Good question... The answer is that I do not plan to take both the AL19s with me at the same time. I elected to go for the 19cf bottle now to allow me the ability to travel with it more easily. I purchased the second pony so that I can equip my wife with one when we dive together.

Not that it matters, but I looked around on here for awhile for a reasonably priced pony, finally ordered one from an LDS in my area when they had a nice sale going on, and then found a good deal on a second bottle...

I do intend to purchase an AL40 or two as I continue training, and have never considered diving both AL19's at once. I have a couple of AL80's and a set steel doubles, so hopefully my tank buying will slow down soon and I can focus on diving with the stuff I have been gathering up over the fall and winter...

I selected the Poseidon reg because I already had it. It was purchased used for a decent price (honestly before I knew much about their products), and I really did not like the style of the second stages when I tried them out. I knew almost immediately that I would end up relegating that reg set to a pony or stage bottle . I have a another older first stage for my second bottle that I placed the other Poseidon second stage on. It is not a super fancy arrangement, but everything is serviceable and seems to work well. As I upgrade and add to my existing collection of gear, these configurations are sure to change.

 

[FritzCat66]

I have some questions regarding my pony setup

With ponies perhaps more than any other scuba gear, there is never any hard right & wrong, best thing is to try several different ways and determine what's right for you, but after having done so myself, here's my 2 PSI:

1. Should I mount pony valve facing up or down? (I saw somewhere that it was easier to reach the valve in a down position).

I keep mine valve-up, but then again I also keep my valve on the entire dive. Yes, there is risk of leak, but this is at least partially mitigated by using a Zeagle Razor valve/first stage combo which eliminates at least one seal vs. standard valve/reg setup, and I eliminated the possibility of valve "rolloff" by routing the hose to the port immediately above the small (and tight) valve knob on the Razor.

But valve-down is a good option, too, especially if you're keeping the valve off and/or charging the line regularly.

2. Route the miflex hose under my right arm -- Or left arm? (I am using a Zeagle Ranger with an Octo Z on my power inflator)

Under left arm (implying the pony is backmounted on the left side as well). I also use a BC/Altair combo, and the pony hose doesn't interfere with anything this way. Simple and clean.

I should mention that I tried slinging the pony, but found it much less hassle backmounted while doing photography. But I know some photogs who prefer to sling, so .

3. How can I clip my Pony Reg (Apeks XTX20)? I was thinking about using an SS Bolt snap to clip it off of my lower D ring.

I necklace my pony reg for quick, easy access. I got an XS Airwave reg for the pony specifically because it lays flat (using a 90-degree adaptor) and is designed for left-hand hose routing already. Not the dryest-breathing reg on the market, but perfectly adequate for this application.

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

I'd use my MK2/R380 for the pony. I was thinking of attaching the pony SS to a necklace. I am not sure if the R380 SS is reversible. I guess I'll have to check.

I know you understand this, but just in case it is not obvious to others who might read this thread:

Again, it does not need to be reversible. A normal (right hand) 2nd stage will work just fine and be perfectly comfortable providing the hose you use on the pony/stage is the correct length.

Next time you set up your tank and regulator, but before you put it on your back, try grabbing you current primary 2nd stage, turning it so it faces you properly, and breathing from it. If you have a normal-length hose, I bet you will have no problem doing this, regardless of how the tank is facing or where you are standing. You'll just grab the 2nd stage, turn it as needed, and breath from it. The hose will bend and twist and contort as needed to allow you to do this.... as long as it is not too short.

This is the same as when you set up a 2nd tank with a regulator to be used as a stage bottle. You do not need anything special as far as first or 2nd stages, just a hose that is long enough to allow you to bend the hose enough to get the 2nd stage to your mouth. If the hose is long enough, it will just form a gentle curve, and will be comfortable. If it is too short, you can still do it, but it will tend to tug and pull.

Best wishes.

 

[BoltSnap]

LeadTurn_SD,

Understood, thanks!! I'll try it that way first. The hose should be long enough since it is an octo hose. I'll also try it with the hose reversed when I have access to the proper tools when I am back in Boston.

Thanks again.

 

[Dr Wu]

I may also leave my gas open on my pony...

You should. There is no reason to turn it off.

Decompression cylinders are charged then shut off to avoid an accidental mix up of gas.

 

[Crush]

nevermind

 

[Crush]

Decompression cylinders are charged then shut off to avoid an accidental mix up of gas.

It is my understanding that the cylinders are charged, then shut off, to: (1) prevent the intrusion of water into the regulator; and (2) in the event of the development of a leak, to prevent the unnoticed depletion of gas necessary for a deco obligation.