DIN vs. Yoke

[pgraham11]

I currently have an AL80 with a yoke connector. I'm looking into some of the more technical diving, and it appears that DIN connectors are preferred (perhaps even required for some of the classes). I'm also looking into getting the Apeks TX100. My questions are 1) Should I just go ahead and get the yoke for now with the idea that it can be converted to DIN later, 2) Should I get the DIN connector and switch my tank valve to a DIN connector, and 3) What about dive shops, I've filled my tanks and my LDS before and their fill station only has yoke connectors. Initially I thought about just going with yoke and using a DIN converter later, but I've read that's not really acceptable since it adds an additional failure point.

Has anybody taken any of the GUE classes, are they that strict on your equipment? I'd like to take the classes to learn the material, but in the short term I think staying with the yoke would be more convenient.

 

[blacknet]

Hello,

Well what I did was use my air tanks/regs with the yoke setup and my non-standard (i.e. stage bottles and stage o2 regs) with DIN connectors. Why did I do this? Well on a crowded boat I don't want some yahoo grabing one of my tanks and slaping their dirty reg on it while i'm not looking, just another added safety precaution.

Ed

 

[SubMariner]

"1) Should I just go ahead and get the yoke for now with the idea that it can be converted to DIN later, 2) Should I get the DIN connector and switch my tank valve to a DIN connector"

When I ordered my new Mares Abyss it came with the standard yoke; I had to order the DIN conversion kit separately. As it happens, it came a couple of weeks later, at which point I had the reg converted to DIN. Until then I used a DIN adapter on the yoke to be able to use my tanks (that are all HP steel 80s with DINs).

" and 3) What about dive shops, I've filled my tanks and my LDS before and their fill station only has yoke connectors."

I carry the DIN adapter I mentioned above in my scuba tool/save a dive kit. (In fact I have TWO.) That way I can get my tanks filled anywhere, even if they don't have a DIN adapter. BTW, the biggest problem usually isn't whether or not they can fill a DIN tank, it's whether or not they can pump it to the pressure you want. Frequently I don't get a 3500 psi fill unless I hover over them while they're filling my tanks.

"Initially I thought about just going with yoke and using a DIN converter later, but I've read that's not really acceptable since it adds an additional failure point. "

The other factor is the extra 2-3" it adds onto the interface between the tank and your reg. Sometimes that becomes a real pain (in the back of the head... literally).

Hope this helped,

~SubMariner~

 

[Warhammer]

Originally posted by pgraham11
I currently have an AL80 with a yoke connector. I'm looking into some of the more technical diving, and it appears that DIN connectors are preferred (perhaps even required for some of the classes). I'm also looking into getting the Apeks TX100. My questions are 1) Should I just go ahead and get the yoke for now with the idea that it can be converted to DIN later,

The conversion kits aren't very expensive, around $60, so that's a option. Personally, if I thought I'd need/want the DIN in the immediate future, I'd just get a DIN reg and then a yoke adapter or swap it back and forth.

2) Should I get the DIN connector and switch my tank valve to a DIN connector, and

I do believe I'd change my tank valves over to DIn if I had a DIN regulator. If you don't, then I don't see where you've gained anything by going to DIN in the first place.

3) What about dive shops, I've filled my tanks and my LDS before and their fill station only has yoke connectors.

Most all dive shops will have a little scrw in adapter that allows them to use their yoke fited whips to fill tanks with DIN valves. If not, you can buy one for around $25.

Initially I thought about just going with yoke and using a DIN converter later, but I've read that's not really acceptable since it adds an additional failure point.

I think you're a tad confused and I may confuse you a little more. LOL!! There is only one converter that will allow you to use a Yoke regulator on a DIN tank. And that converter is a little screw in piece that only works on 232BAR valves. It will not work on 300BAR DIN valves, which is what you are most likely to run in to in the tech community. Now there is an adapter, works the other way. It allows you to use a DIN regulator with a yoke valve fitted tank. You'd most likely want to pick one up if you switch your regs to DIN.

Has anybody taken any of the GUE classes, are they that strict on your equipment? I'd like to take the classes to learn the material, but in the short term I think staying with the yoke would be more convenient.

I haven't taken any GUE classes, but since equipment is one of the strongest things they advocate, i'd say they'd be strict. Even if they aren't, all their tanks are going to fitted with DIN valves, so unless you provide your own tanks, you'd need a DIN reg.

 

[bradymsu]

Getting into tech diving means you're going to have to buy more tanks anyways. My suggestion would be to buy two tanks with DIN valves for your backmounted doubles and either use your tank with the yoke valve for a stage bottle or for recreational diving. Even though you may be doing tech diving, even most tech divers normally do the majority of their dives still as recreational dives unless they're committed cavers or don't dive several times a week.

It's a rare dive shop that is unable to fill a DIN tank in the United States. It's less rare for a dive shop to refuse to put air in a tank with Nitrox or mixed gas labels, even if it hasn't been O2 cleaned. I'd keep the yoke tank to use for rec dives.

I know IANTD strongly recommends DIN tanks and I suspect GUE does as well. No idea on TDI, NAUI of PADI's new "tech" program.

 

[Lost Yooper]

I think DIN is a must for tech diving. I'd say you have to start somewhere and would recommend converting everything to DIN. I use DIN for back gas and yoke for stages and deco bottles.

I'm pretty certain that GUE would require DIN for any overhead stuff and probably highly recommends DIN for the rest of their classes as well. Might check their web site or E-mail JJ.

For recreational dives, I have a single 95 with a DIN
H-valve, so I don't have to worry about the yoke thing unless I were to go on recreational diving vacation. I have a DIN to yoke convertor just in case I need to use a yoke tank.

Mike

PS. I haven't had a problem getting my DIN tanks filled except in a Hawaiian dive shop once.

 

[pgraham11]

Thanks for all of the quick responses. After reading them, I am leaning towards buying the reg with a DIN connector and then using a DIN-to-Yoke converter in the short-term (since I'm still going to be doing mostly recreational dives in the near future).

I would like to clarify though about the DIN-to-Yoke converter. Is this something that can be easily attached/detached (for example if I take my DIN reg on a dive boat that has Yoke tanks).

One other point I'd like to clarify, the connector doesn't affect the preasure rating of the tank, correct? I assume the reason some people have trouble getting fills with DINs at dive shops are because they are using higher preasure tanks.

 

[scuba_adventurer]

OMS makes a convertible tank valve that you could buy to allow you to use either reg with the same tank.

It is a din valve that has a screw in yoke converter. From my experience, they work very well. Most dive shops have a din to yoke converter for their fill stations anyway, but it does make air somewhat easier to acquire. I use these valves on OMS lp steel tanks, so I don't know their hp compatability.

 

[bradymsu]

The DIN (reg) to yoke (tank) converter is easy to attach. You just screw one end onto your first stage and then place it over the yoke tank like you would a yoke reg.

Many people who use DIN regs with DIN tanks have high pressure steel tanks that take a fill to 3500psi or use low pressure steel tanks that are overfilled or "cave filled". You should not fill your AL tank to the higher level even with a DIN reg. It's the tank that matters more than the reg.

By the way, many divers who own a DIN reg and a DIN tank also use AL rental tanks with yoke valves while traveling or for multiple dives. What you're planning on doing with the converter is totally acceptable and common among divers.

 

[WetDane]

Ya - get the DIN setup on your regs - you will also get the converter so you can dive your current tank and it is very handy when you go on a boat or want to rent since they have yokes most always.

As far as GUE goes - You would be safe grabbing an Apeks TX50 (the TX100 has a funky 1st stage that they have not quite made up their minds on yet) with a DIN fitting - this is a proforma standard and the recommended setup with a H valve on singles.
Using Scuba Pro mk20/G250's have so far been accepted as well - however, the Apeks is what they will recommend you.

Big T