First Steel Tank - Single LP85 or HP80

[Divin'Papaw]

and I assume its not evening worth looking at (new) painted tanks? Galvanized is the way to go?

For salt water ... absolutely! Painted tanks make no sense in salt.

I'd also cast another vote for HP100s instead of HP80s (WAY too short) or LP85s (many areas won't overfill them).

 

[rhwestfall]

HP80's are only good for my 5'-2" tall wife...... They make me head heavy, and I simply can't dive them.

I cherish my 3442* 100's and 2400/2640* 85's (* rated service pressure)

 

[rob.mwpropane]

and I assume its not evening worth looking at (new) painted tanks? Galvanized is the way to go?

In my humble opinion it's crazy to look at "new" anything when it comes to tanks. Find a set of used ones with fresh hydro to avoid any hassle and save yourself $100's of dollars. Steel tanks don't go bad, and very, very rarely fail hydro. There's a pair sitting in someone's basement with your name all over them... you just haven't found them yet.

If you want the "bee's knees" look for one's with 3/4" necks (but 7/8" still work fine to me.. and they're cheaper).

I have mostly galvanized, but a few painted. The painted ones just need some touch up here and there and be more adamant about rinsing (read; quarry dive sooner than later!). Can always take an old pair of painted tanks and (cold) galvanize them yourself.

HP80's are only good for my 5'-2" tall wife...... They make me head heavy, and I simply can't dive them.

I cherish my 3442* 100's and 2400/2640* 85's (* rated service pressure)

Does that mean they'll fit my 5'2" wife too.... or just yours, lol

 

[rhwestfall]

Does that mean they'll fit my 5'2" wife too.... or just yours, lol

nope, just mine....

 

[rx7diver]

Looking to buy my first steel tank for New England diving and am going back and forth between an LP85 or HP80. What are your thoughts on the two? I'm 5'11'' but relatively thin. The HP80's look great from a transport/storage standpoint. Also open to other (cost conscious) suggestions.

I recommend that you purchase two of whatever you decide.

What cylinders are your buddies diving? Life is a bit easier if you are all diving similar cylinders--assuming that the same size cylinder fits everyone well enough, that is.

Are you thinking that you eventually will be diving NE shipwrecks? These will be deeper dives, probably, which means larger capacity (especially since some of the air will be held in reserve). And if you think there is a possibility that you might eventually double up your two cylinders and/or wear them with a drysuit, keep in mind their weight and buoyancy characteristics, too.

I love my HP80's (Sherwood Gensis/PST 82 cu ft @ 3,500 psig). I am 6'2". I have owned my pair since I purchased them new ca. 1987. First ones to be purchased around here (central MO). I special-ordered mine. Two concerns, though: First, each is quite negatively buoyant full (~9.5 lbs negative in salt water)--not so good for a thin or medium-thickness wetsuit in fresh water.

And second, each is so short (20") that finding a BC that works well might be a challenge. I wear/wore mine with my 1994-era Scubapro Classic Stab Jacket, and the combination is sublime! However, until recently, I was unable to find a wing that isn't too long (which risks pinching and holing the BC).

A couple of weeks ago, though, I purchased a 23# VDH Argonaut Wing that (seems to) fits my HP80 perfectly! I can't wait to dive this combination to see how they work together. If I can find a DIN conversion for my double-hose regulator, my HP80 just might replace my lovely OMS/Faber LP66 as my preferred short cylinder to use with this DH reg.

Good luck with your search.

rx7diver

 

[rhwestfall]

If I can find a DIN conversion for my double-hose regulator

Why not just a "ProValve" (convertible)? While I do have a PRAM with DIN, I also have a Yoke version. Yes, some of the convertible valves do not play well with a banjo if you are needing to use one. DIN obviously won't utilize a banjo, so I'm assuming you have both HP and LP ports on your DH currently (Yoke Phoenix?)....

 

[RyanT]

Here I can get higher fills, so LP85's are great.

What shop are you using for fills?

 

[rx7diver]

Why not just a "ProValve" (convertible)? While I do have a PRAM with DIN, I also have a Yoke version. Yes, some of the convertible valves do not play well with a banjo if you are needing to use one. DIN obviously won't utilize a banjo, so I'm assuming you have both HP and LP ports on your DH currently (Yoke Phoenix?)....

The Sherwood Gensis/PST HP65/80/100/120 (3,500 psig) cylinders require a 7/8" 300Br valve. There is no ProValve for these cylinders.

My DH is a 1st-gen PRAM. Evidently, the U.S.Divers 1st stage used in the 1st-gen PRAM uses a different thread pitch (or something) than the 1st stage used in the newest-gen PRAM. So, the DIN conversions that fit the newest PRAM won't fit the 1st-gen PRAM. Finding an old-style DIN conversion to fit my 1st-gen PRAM is unlikely.

rx7diver

 

[rhwestfall]

Oops, missed that 3500 service comment upthread..

 

[RIHappyDiver]

In my humble opinion it's crazy to look at "new" anything when it comes to tanks. Find a set of used ones with fresh hydro to avoid any hassle and save yourself $100's of dollars. Steel tanks don't go bad, and very, very rarely fail hydro. There's a pair sitting in someone's basement with your name all over them... you just haven't found them yet.

If you want the "bee's knees" look for one's with 3/4" necks (but 7/8" still work fine to me.. and they're cheaper).

I have mostly galvanized, but a few painted. The painted ones just need some touch up here and there and be more adamant about rinsing (read; quarry dive sooner than later!). Can always take an old pair of painted tanks and (cold) galvanize them yourself.



Does that mean they'll fit my 5'2" wife too.... or just yours, lol

Used HP100s are almost impossible to find around here, and, if you do, they are the Faber HP100 (not Faber’s FX100), also referred to as the M Series. These have a completely different set of specs than the other 100s. First, they’re rated with a “+”, or you don’t get the extra 10% to get to 100 cf. Second, they are beasts both out of and in the water. Empty, they weight ~ 4.5 pounds more than the FX100. They have a full buoyancy of about -14.75, and an empty buoyancy of around -7.25. Third, they are top HEAVY, even underwater.
And this is why I typically use my LP85s and not my 100, even though @formernuke is spot on about fills.

Erik