Dual Tanks on Aqualung Pro XLT?

[scubadude79]

I have an Aqualung Pro XLT which now seems to be discontinued from their 2009 product line.

I am interested in finding a solution that would allow me to hook up dual tanks to this BC.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

 

[scubafanatic]

.....having just finished 'building' my own custom BC, I feel your pain, as it were. I have no knowledge of your specific BC, no any idea how knowledgable you are about scuba gear. The simpliest option is visit your local Aqualung dealer...if what you want to do is 'doable', the manufactuer of your BC will be the first to know...and the LDS will be happy to sell you what ever is required. Plan 'B' is some sort of aftermarket solution, this is where you get into the area of extensive research...both on the WWW and via various LDS's.....get input on options....and see if there are any clever bit's/pieces you can use from other scuba gear brands. Be aware you may be pushing the envelope on that major an 'upgrade'...generally the recreational 'poodle jacket' cannot be successfully upgraded/modified to 'really' handle 'doubles'.....kinda like putting a Ferarri engine into a Yugo. Trust me, it can be very tedious/time-consuming to extensively upgrade/modify a BC to that extent......far too long and complex for me to even begin to type out an WWW-based solution for you......you REALLY need to begin by taking your BC to your Aqualung dealer first to begin to get a handle on the possible magnatude of your project...if you are lucky there will be an off-the-shelf solution...if unlucky, you will have begun an expensive adventure into buying/installing/discarding various 'solutions' that either won't fit in the first place...or maybe they'll 'fit', but will completely suck when you actually dive the unit. My best suggestion is to buy a dedicated doubles set-up if you want to dive doubles...if money is an issue, sell/trade in your Pro XLT for a dedicated doubles set-up....or wait until you have funds and buy yourself a 2nd unit....doubles-only.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

From the manual. To me this is not worth the effort or risk. The bc is not set up to handle doubles. If it will not handle all types of doubles you are basically jury rigging it and that is dumb. Manufacturers have no business leading people to believe that this kind of crap will work. I would not dive with anyone in this kind of setup. Get a BPW and do it the way it should be done. There is no crotch strap, way too much padding, and the buoyancy characteristics of al doubles are going to make weighting this thing a bi*tch. Sell the thing and go visit Deep Sea Supply and talk to Tobin. A BC is for doubles or it's not. And Taking it to the dealer? Right! Like he's going to pass up a sale of the "adapter" another reg, and another tank, and then the BPW when you find out that the setup is junk.



Double Cylinder Setup
The Tank Band Kit for Twin Cylinders (P/N 427042) allows mounting of twin cylinders to the Pro QD/XLT, sizes ML, L, XL and XXL only. Please see mounting instruction provided with the kit.
Before adapting your BC for use with double cylinders, it is important to compare the lift capacity of your particular BC size and model with the buoyancy specifications of the cylinders, the amount of weight you will carry, and the type of exposure suit you will wear. When fully charged and worn together as doubles, some cylinders may create enough negative
buoyancy to counteract the amount of lift your BC can provide. At depth, this can lead to a dangerous situation if your wetsuit becomes compressed and you can no longer achieve positive buoyancy by jettisoning
weight.
Additionally, the structure of the back pack will not support the weight of an oversized double cylinder set up. The BC may only be used with standard aluminum (maximum 80 cf/10 litre) or steel (maximum 100 cf, 3,500 psi) tanks. High volume, low pressure steel tanks can be especially
hazardous when worn as doubles, due to their weight and buoyancy characteristics.
WARNING: The use of oversized twin set ups can lead to a dangerous situation underwater, including your inability to achieve positive buoyancy, or structural failure of the backpack.
Such an event while diving may separate you from your primary air source, and could lead to serious injury or

 

[scubadude79]

Thank you so much for all your info.
It looks like the BC would have enough lift to support duals; however with the overall structure (plastic instead of metal releases, etc.), I don't feel comfortable with the added weight of the duals.
You have brought up great insight, and it looks like a BC specifically designed to use a single or dual tank setup will need to be purchased to be smart and safe about it.
I just wanted to make sure that I didn't miss out on the opportunity to get any upgrade equipment for this BC since Aqualung is not manufacturing it anymore.

Thanks!

 

[LouieLouie]

I'm using a set of tiny doubles (Poseidon 2x6) with my Pro QD and it's working out perfectly. I drilled out the holes in the plastic tank plate slightly to accept thick 8mm bolts with large washers. I believe the tank plate is the same for the Pro XLT, so you should be able to use the same setup. Keep in mind that you need to check if your BCD has sufficient lift for the set of doubles you are planning to use.

I'll post some pictures if you want to have a closer look.