All about H-valves and Y-valves

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Originally posted by cybordolphin
Ok.... but lets say you have to shut down the side that has your BC inflator on it. And you are diving wet...

The only answer I spose would be to oral inflate the BC.
Yes, the same as if your inflator hose bursts while you're diving a standard K-valve. The H-valve only adds first stage redundancy; it doesn't take away any functional redundancy elsewhere.
 
Do Y/H-valve adapters that would enable the use of two first stages on a single bottle (preferrably DIN and of course with a shutdown valve for each DIN port) exist? I'd like to use it when doubles are not available, removing the need for re-configuring my gear to a single first stage. Also, some (but of course not all) of the benefit of having 2 first stages/doubles could be kept at the price of 1 more connection. I guess such a valve in a H-configuration would be cleaner than one in Y-configuration. I have never seen any such adapters in reality though. Do they exist, and in that case who sells them?
 
Both Y and H valves exist. They replace your typical K or J valve.

They can be purchased from most dive shops, both online and local. H valves are generaly considered a better option than a Y valve. Some manufacturers produce left and right H valves, which can be paired with an isolator bar for doubles, or un-paired and caped or maited to make K or H valves.

http://www.gue.com/equipment/valves.shtml
 
You can get "H" valves (The last "Y" valve I saw was from Scubapro and fancy, but I don't think it sold much and I haven't seen any new "Y" valves in several years) in 200 bar that are DIN with yoke inserts. Or, if you use HP tanks you can get 300 bar DIN. They come as left and right "K" valves with "H" fittings. See
http://www.dive-rite.com/products/gas/std_valv.htm
Rick
 
Thanks for the replies, but I think i was a bit unclear as to what I was looking for. I don't mean an "ordinary" Y/H-valve which is screwed directly into the tank, but rather an adapter which can be screwed into an ordinary K/J valve. I.e an 1 male DIN to 2 female DIN adapter (with individual valves on each of the females). I'm not sure the VA2505s on the dive-rite page (H-Adapter) is an adapter in that sense or just an ordinary H-valve (no picture).
 
Don't think such a device exists.
Even if it did, it'd be cheaper (and many, many times more robust - safer) to buy the new K with H adapter and plug (to switch from H to K you remove the H adapter and insert the plug - takes one minute).
Rick
 
My idea was to have it only for occasional use with rental single tanks (that have standard valves installed), when doubles or "real" H/Y-valved singles (or the convertible kind you mention) are not available. That would help avoiding the hassle of re-configuring the gear to single 1st stage or having 2 different sets of regs, and potentially give some benefits with respect to the double 1st stages.

But as you indicate, having the additional DIN-connection creates another failure point, and overall reliability might even become lower than that of a standard valve with a single 1st stage. And the adapter would probably be a pretty clumpsy device. So I guess there are good reasons as to why I've never seen any, just curious wether they existed or not :) Thanks for the replies.
 
forda once bubbled...
avoiding the hassle of re-configuring the gear to single 1st stage or having 2 different sets of regs, and potentially give some benefits with respect to the double 1st stages.
1. Best option: have a dedicated singles reg. setup
2. Next best option: re-config. a reg for singles use

I personally don't think there is a net benefit in the H or Y valve.
 
And I was able to purchase the H adapter. They cost me $70 bucks or so, and I just leave them on. You don't have to use both sides (though I do). Many valves are convertible and you can tell which ones are by locating a port on the side in addition to the burst disc (which should have holes in the side of the bolt).
 
I am just wondering what everyone does that uses H-valves. I called Dive Rite today to order a set of H-valve adapters for a customer, and they said that they are discontinuing the 300 bar H-valve adapter.

SO my question is this:

WHo uses an H-valve for diving (not just for Cavern class).

Do you use a 200 or 300 bar H-valve???

DO you have an issue with using a 200 bar din h-valve with a 300 bar regulator with a tank that gets filled to 230 bar???

I just want to see where this goes...

Oh, and PLEASE DO NOT GET OFF TOPIC HERE...
I dont want to debate the USE of H-valves, I just want info from those of you that DO use them
(moderators please help me)...
 

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