Aluminum doubles

[herman]

This has been very interesting, Luis. Since Sand Dog I have been thinking of a set of 50 doubles. Where are you getting your bands and harness from?

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

Scuba equipment, Dive gear, reefscuba.com, Manufacturer of scuba diving equipment. Buy brass hardware, stainless steel hardware, surgical tubing, latex surgical tubing, bungee cord, parachute cord, Waterborne watch bands, SEACURE mouthpieces, velcro sells the rubber stuff for isolating your bands from the tanks, I was not aware I needed to do this for fresh water too.

 

[SparticleBrane]

Hmm I've had my Al80s doubled up for a little over a year now without taking them apart -- plenty of diving in fresh water and a few dives in salt water. I'll take them apart shortly and check out any resulting corrosion.

I've found that white vinegar is great for cleaning off the white 'gunk' from the SS tank bands that go on my double steel (hot-dipped) tanks. I'm sure it'll be similar for my Al80s. Hopefully I can get back with you guys on this within the next few days.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

What about using the plastic 'waffle pattern' tank covers cut down to the length of the tank bands? That way you would have some insulation between the bands and the tanks, but also be able to wash off the majority of the salt and get more air flow?
I guess a solid rubber band (piece of a car inner tube or similar) would keep more water/salt out, but if it does get under there it would be harder to remove...

I'm sure someone who has first hand experience with this situation will be along soon to comment.

I tried the waffle stuff and it was nearly impossible to get the material lined up properly under the bands. Then it wanted to shift when tightening the bands. Sorry to say, but it's a complete waste of time.

I've used the rubber bands from stage bottles under the bands for about 5 years, but that has issues too. Salt gets trapped under the rubber bands and you can't flush it out. And, the corrosion was/is still significant under the bands.

So I finally gave up and use nothing, which seems to actually be the best solution. It's also a whole lot easier to assemble/disassemble the tanks.

 

[Luis H]

I tried the waffle stuff and it was nearly impossible to get the material lined up properly under the bands. Then it wanted to shift when tightening the bands. Sorry to say, but it's a complete waste of time.

I've used the rubber bands from stage bottles under the bands for about 5 years, but that has issues too. Salt gets trapped under the rubber bands and you can't flush it out. And, the corrosion was/is still significant under the bands.

So I finally gave up and use nothing, which seems to actually be the best solution. It's also a whole lot easier to assemble/disassemble the tanks.

Thanks

That was one of the concerns with the waffle mesh think.

Are you using SS bands in direct contact with the tanks?
Are your tanks painted or bare aluminum?


I like your kitty.

 

[Couv]

I see Gel Gaskets in your future. It could start a whole new diving equipment fad.

c

 

[Luis H]

I see Gel Gaskets in your future. It could start a whole new diving equipment fad.

c

Maybe...but, I am not trying to make this into a science project.

I want to keep it simple…something I can buy in McMaster Carr at the most or locally even better…it is just a pair of tanks.

 

[DeepSeaExplorer]

Thanks

That was one of the concerns with the waffle mesh think.

Are you using SS bands in direct contact with the tanks?
Are your tanks painted or bare aluminum?


I like your kitty.

All my bands are SS and I have both bare and shotblasted AL tanks, and two sets of steels as well. I agree that the shot blasted tanks seem to trap more salt and are more of an issue than the slick bare tanks. FWIW, I won't buy anything but bare AL tanks anymore - no paint, no shot blast, no clear coat, whatever.

That was one of my favorite kittens, but she's been adopted. I can get you one anytime, just let me know. :14:

My girlfriend rescues cats in her spare time. Checkout their website: CN Main Page

 

[spectrum]

FWIW I used .040" EPDM (rubber roofing) under the hose clamp of my pony. It was scrap from the jumbo floor mats in my dive vehicles. I have plenty more.

Based on my experience with some used painted AL cylinders I'd stay natural. Too much bad can happen under the paint once the barrier is inevitably breached.

Pete

 

[Luis H]

That was one of my favorite kittens, but she's been adopted. I can get you one anytime, just let me know. :14:

Thanks, but I don’t think our three girls would like us adopting any more kitties. Actually the older one didn’t appreciate when we brought home the other two kitties.
All three are from shelters.