Deco tank valve recommendations

[scubaspace]

Hi all,

Getting back into tech diving next year after a hiatus since 2008. A lot has changed since then.

I have 2 al40s and 1 al80 deco tanks. Back then we just tossed green knows on the 02 tanks and washed em and called it good. Back then side mount was just getting started in the Midwest.

I'm going to swap my old valves out with new ones and do a refresher adv nitrox and deco class. I do rich right, left lean. I have 1 40 for 02, the others for 50%.

What valves should I pick? Should I do standard valves on my 50% (will be hooked on left hip/shoulder), and non standard valves on the o2 (will be mounted right shoulder/hip?)

Thanks all for the input. Used to be ccr mod 1 as well but all my stuff is aging so have slowly been getting re acquainted with everything.

 

[tmassey]

Leaving aside all discussion of valve wheel colors, regulator colors, hose colors, left or right bottle carrying, etc. and just focusing on the valve:

I would recommend having a “Pro” convertible DIN/yoke valve on all of your tanks. Obviously back mount doubles are going to have an isolator manifold, but still have convertible valves. Side mount tanks are also going to have left and right modular valves, but still: convertible pro valves.

With that, you have no worries: any regulator you will ever want to hook up to them for whatever reason and whatever gas will work just fine.

As for a discussion of how you should mark/color/mangle your valves/regulators/tanks for more/less oxygen… That’s a completely different discussion, and one that I’m not particularly eager to engage in! But in my opinion, such choices shouldn’t change the actual valve itself. No matter what you decide for the rest of it, that one type of valve will do you just fine.

ETA: I echo @rjack321 comment right below mine. That’s part of the reason why I don’t want to engage in the rest of the discussion about marking, colors, tagging, etc., because things have changed. Much better to find a quality instructor who can assist you with those type of decisions.

 

[rjack321]

Times have changed since 2008. I would fine a good instructor before you buy or change anything.

 

[scubaspace]

Thanks for the posts, I do have 2 good instructors to get me up to speed. I'm just wondering what people are using now aways. I use yellow coloring for 50% and green for 02. I also have vindicator knobs (how cool!).

I have tons of valves, and am just trying to configure them before sending tanks in for hydro/o2 cleaning. I am going to rig them on chest d rings with DR tech butt plate (no sm bungees, I have a broad chest), so I just want the valves to be opposing to keep things clean. I used double lp 85s and lp 112s (probably won't ccr dive anytime soon again).

 

[mr_v]

Get the cheapest valves you can from DGX. They'll work just fine. Rebuild or replace as needed, usually when the valves stop being as smooth as when they were brand new. If you're sending tanks for hydro, O2 cleaning, you'll have to O2 clean the valves or get O2 clean valves.

Don't bother with color knobs unless it is O2 - then go with a green knob.

That's about it.

 

[rx7diver]

Hi all,

Getting back into tech diving next year after a hiatus since 2008. A lot has changed since then.

I have 2 al40s and 1 al80 deco tanks. Back then we just tossed green knows on the 02 tanks and washed em and called it good. Back then side mount was just getting started in the Midwest.

I'm going to swap my old valves out with new ones and do a refresher adv nitrox and deco class. ...

I'm not sure much has changed. But, FWIW, I just converted one of my long-unused Luxfer Al 40 deco cylinders to a dedicated oxygen cylinder. I changed out the original OMS convertible valve to an slow-opening, brass valve (convertible) from Dive Gear Express (DGX)--only because I wanted to, not because I had to.

rx7diver

 

[stretchthepenn]

What valves should I pick? Should I do standard valves on my 50% (will be hooked on left hip/shoulder), and non standard valves on the o2 (will be mounted right shoulder/hip?)

Using left- or right-hand valves doesn't matter tremendously unless you're talking about primary SM tanks.

For deco tanks, I recommend just getting standard-side (right-hand) valves. You really won't notice any appreciable difference, and DGX's house-brand, nitrox-ready valves are only $55. DGX Gears Premium Pro Standalone Valve, Right (Typical Side)

In the case that you eventually want to replace one with a left-hand valve, the sunk cost won't break you, and you'll have a useful spare.

 

[Nick_Radov]

Thanks for the posts, I do have 2 good instructors to get me up to speed. I'm just wondering what people are using now aways. I use yellow coloring for 50% and green for 02. I also have vindicator knobs (how cool!).

If your instructors are still recommending color coding for regs and valves then they aren't "good". They are dangerous, incompetent, and about 30 years out of date.

 

[scubaspace]

Well thanks to those who made constructive comments. The rest should check your ego at the door, I'm just seeing what people are doing now adays after a long hiatus. Think I'm checking off scuba board this really wasn't helpful

 

[PfcAJ]

Color coding, lean left, etc aren’t it.

Pls seek better instruction.