Dry suit inflation tank

[tamorgen]

Hi all,
What is the recommended DIR method of mounting/slinging a drysuit inflation tank? I have a 13 cu/ft steel bottle that I have been experiment with mounting, but have not been happy with results thus far. I have mounted it to the left side of my backplate with stainless steel quick links, but I've felt it distracting having it juggle around on my backplate. I also think it might be simply too small to sling like a stage bottle. Any other ideas? What does DIR recommend? Thanks.

 

[Rick Inman]

Here's the thread I started some time back on this same question:

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=122412

BTW, the 13cf was too big for me, so I switched to a 6cf. It takes more time keeping it full, but the size is perfect for diving, IMO.

 

[SDAnderson]

http://www.diverite.com/products/productslist.aspx?SubCategoryID=50&CategoryID=6

Like Rick, I started with a larger cylinder and eventually downsized to a 6cf bottle. I prefer it for size, comfort, ease of use, ease of discard, etc. It's a big bench...we'll save you a seat.

 

[Soggy]

There are a couple methods. One is the George Irvine wreck mount, which I personally found incredibly annoying:
http://gue.com/Projects/WKPP/Equipment/equip_moreimages_2.htm

I prefer a soft mount mount on the backplate, which is more common:
http://www.soggydiving.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=27

I started with the wrap on the middle hole of the backplate, but it is too high and now have the mounting on the bottom hole as is shown in the first picture in that link.

The tank should be aluminum, not steel to promote a balanced rig. Tank mounting is primarily designed for long/big dives where there will be a lot of up-and-down (long cave dives) and is not a good idea in the ocean or on wrecks where there is a lot of entanglement possibility.

Most important to the mount is that it is not metal-to-metal. You should be able to remove it or cut it away in the event of an entanglement.

Hi all,
What is the recommended DIR method of mounting/slinging a drysuit inflation tank? I have a 13 cu/ft steel bottle that I have been experiment with mounting, but have not been happy with results thus far. I have mounted it to the left side of my backplate with stainless steel quick links, but I've felt it distracting having it juggle around on my backplate. I also think it might be simply too small to sling like a stage bottle. Any other ideas? What does DIR recommend? Thanks.

 

[tamorgen]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking I might end up tank mounting it with a pony tamer, since it is a larger tank, but you make some interesting points. Since I already have a tank, short of rebuying I am sort of stuck. If I were to buy an aluminum 6 cu/ft tank, I like the way you have it mounted on your backplate. Do you find that it rattles around at all, or does the shock cord solves that issue?

 

[SDAnderson]

Thanks for the info. I was thinking I might end up tank mounting it with a pony tamer, since it is a larger tank, but you make some interesting points. Since I already have a tank, short of rebuying I am sort of stuck. If I were to buy an aluminum 6 cu/ft tank, I like the way you have it mounted on your backplate. Do you find that it rattles around at all, or does the shock cord solves that issue?

In Soggy's set-up, the webbing band provides most of the stability. The main function of the bungee is to keep the cylinder from slipping out of the webbing. There is some motion to the tank but it's not enough to be a problem.

The GI3 set-up allows more wobble to the tank and maybe a little more drag but also puts the cylinder out in front where it's easier to get at and, if necessary, reposition or remove.

You can use Soggy's mount for the larger tank, though you may experience problems with the cylinder being too big to fit comfortably between you and your backgas. I'd probably go with the pony mount if I couldn't get my hands on a 6.

 

[Dan Gibson]

Halcyon sells a system (not the poney tamer) for the 14 cft LP tanks Luxfer sells. It's a velcrow system and works well for those needing a larger argon supply. It;s made up of two straps.

http://gue.com/Projects/WKPP/Equipment/equip/tanks_with_argon.jpg

Thanks for the info. I was thinking I might end up tank mounting it with a pony tamer, since it is a larger tank, but you make some interesting points. Since I already have a tank, short of rebuying I am sort of stuck. If I were to buy an aluminum 6 cu/ft tank, I like the way you have it mounted on your backplate. Do you find that it rattles around at all, or does the shock cord solves that issue?

 

[Packhorse]

How many dives would you get from 6cf?

 

[Dan Gibson]

That depends on the length of dive, the depth and how much gas you typically put in the suit.

How many dives would you get from 6cf?

 

[Packhorse]

average?