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Going from AL 80s to AL100s! What should I expect?
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eelnoraa
Contributor
Once again, I agree with you 100%. I will probably skip the dive if AL100 is the only thing avaiable
Paulmal
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Kevrumbo
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Read AL80 (C80) vs. AL80 (S80) --one is the slightly shorter heavier "compact AL80" at 3300psi/228bar.
The AL100 I use is never positive, so comparing it to an AL80, it has a slight advantage (at best, you might shed maybe 4 lbs). Bigger diameter makes it somewhat of a PITA when I switch to my AL80's for shallower dives. The length doesn't bother me as I am 6'-7". Steel would be nice, but up here, deals are rare, and costs are high.
KD8NPB
Contributor
My vote would be for an HP100. 100cf @ 3442, 80cf @ 3000...what's not to love?
The AL 100 is a very poor choice.
1) At 42 pounds it's 11 pounds heavier than an AL 80. If you dive cold water and need weight, you can take off two pounds due to the slightly more negative buoyancy of the tank when empty compared to an AL 80, but it's still 9 more pounds total that you need to carry out of the water.
2) It's a large diameter tank that is excessively long. Unless you are 6 ft tall or better, it will probably be an issue.
3) It's a 3300 psi tank so the odds are most tank moneys will default to a 3000 psi fill, resulting in only 90 cu ft. Or worse, a 2800 psi hot fill and only 84 cu ft. That still compares well to a hot filled AL80 (72 cu ft at 2800 psi), but again you are carrying 9 to 11 pounds more weight for only 12 cu ft more gas.
4) The X7-100 weighs only 33 pounds compared to 31 for an AL 80, and as it is about 6 pounds more negative than an AL 80 when empty you can take 6 pounds off your weight belt, leaving you with 4 pounds less total weight than an AL 80, but with 23 cu ft more gas.
5) The X7-100 gives you 99.5 cu ft at 3442. Even if you only get 3300 psi, that still gives you 95 cu ft, at 3000 psi you still get 86 cu ft, and at 2800 psi you'd still have 81 cu ft. So even when under filled to similar pressures, it gives up almost nothing to the AL 100. However, with the X7-100, you will be carrying 13 pounds less weight to have that very similar amount of gas.
6) The X7-100 is the same diameter as an AL 80 (and fits in the same racks on the boat) but is a couple inches shorter and works well for almost everyone in terms of trim.
1) At 42 pounds it's 11 pounds heavier than an AL 80. If you dive cold water and need weight, you can take off two pounds due to the slightly more negative buoyancy of the tank when empty compared to an AL 80, but it's still 9 more pounds total that you need to carry out of the water.
2) It's a large diameter tank that is excessively long. Unless you are 6 ft tall or better, it will probably be an issue.
3) It's a 3300 psi tank so the odds are most tank moneys will default to a 3000 psi fill, resulting in only 90 cu ft. Or worse, a 2800 psi hot fill and only 84 cu ft. That still compares well to a hot filled AL80 (72 cu ft at 2800 psi), but again you are carrying 9 to 11 pounds more weight for only 12 cu ft more gas.
4) The X7-100 weighs only 33 pounds compared to 31 for an AL 80, and as it is about 6 pounds more negative than an AL 80 when empty you can take 6 pounds off your weight belt, leaving you with 4 pounds less total weight than an AL 80, but with 23 cu ft more gas.
5) The X7-100 gives you 99.5 cu ft at 3442. Even if you only get 3300 psi, that still gives you 95 cu ft, at 3000 psi you still get 86 cu ft, and at 2800 psi you'd still have 81 cu ft. So even when under filled to similar pressures, it gives up almost nothing to the AL 100. However, with the X7-100, you will be carrying 13 pounds less weight to have that very similar amount of gas.
6) The X7-100 is the same diameter as an AL 80 (and fits in the same racks on the boat) but is a couple inches shorter and works well for almost everyone in terms of trim.
Wow, that is brutal. My HP-130 (lots of gas) is only 1lb heavier and is still 1" shorter and yet has LOTS more gas.
So it looks like the C100 is basically the same weight, same diameter, and the same length as the HP-130. Yet has 30% less gas and ends up 2.2lb + vs 2lb -. What is the point of this tank? Serious question not trying to start a fight.
eelnoraa
Contributor
I think AL100 is quite a bit longer than HP130. I personally don't the reason for C100. I am small, 5'6", 135lb. C100 is gigantic for me. No boat I have been on has C100. Mostly they use AL80, ocassionally, I have seen HP100 or LP80.
Graeme Tolton
Contributor
When in mexico, i choose the al100 ocer al80. Im a tall guy and have no problem moving with it. As far as buoyanxy, i see little difference from an al80.
At home, i usually only use al tanks as stages. Double hp119's are what i dive.
At home, i usually only use al tanks as stages. Double hp119's are what i dive.
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