Pony bottle .. do i need one at this point ?

[slammer]

I look at my pony bottle as cheep insurance. And just as with any insurance you never want to use it but if you do, your sure happy you bought it. I just feel a bit more comfortable with it being there.

 

[pgdive]

OK, what am I missing here? A pony bottle is a redundant air supply, whether it's mounted on the primary tank or slung under the arm this has been the primary way that divers have added redundancy for solo and deeper dives for as long as I've been diving. Are we saying this is wrong now? I suspect (and I may be wrong) that he doesn't want to deal with extra weight and complexity of doubles right now. It's all about the right tool for the right job. A pony bottle is fine, mount it someplace you comfortable with, practice using and your all set.

Paul

 

[Mark Vlahos]

im goint to have to do some research on the H-vale .... how would an H valve
help with redundancy.. if the first and 2nd stage dumps out ..

To properly use an H valve equipped cylinder you would need TWO separate first stages each with its own second stage. If you had any sort of regulator failure that would result in gas loss you would close the valve supplying air to the offending regulator, and switch to the exclusive use of the remaining "good" regulator.

Mark Vlahos

 

[MSilvia]

im goint to have to do some research on the H-vale .... how would an H valve
help with redundancy.. if the first and 2nd stage dumps out ..

It would help because an H-valve essentially allows two independant first stages on a single tank, each with it's own second stage. If one regulator has a critical failure, you can shut it down and use the other. That's one way to achieve redundancy. A pony is another perfectly acceptable way. In either case, you have independant first stages, just like you do with doubles.

That said, if you want an AL19 pony, I'll give you a good deal on mine pre-rigged. It's in hydro, but needs vis. Now that I have 2 AL40 deco bottles, I don't have any use for it.

 

[CD_in_Chitown]

That said, if you want an AL19 pony, I'll give you a good deal on mine. Now that I have 2 AL40 deco bottles, I don't have any use for it.

My point exactly.

Gabe feel free to give it a try and see how it works for you. I don't mean to get preachy, only offering my observations. I tried it, I didn't like it, I'm glad I went with the 40, its multi-purpose. If you want to try smaller go 13 or 6, good multi-use sizes as well. Used 19s are pretty easy to come by, No offense Matt. I'm not convinced that the cost savings touted by some are quite right, a quality first stage is required for either solution but an additional second stage (3 total) would be required for the pony bottle setup, and another spg and some way to mount it to your kit, depending on what you dive now and what solution you employ prices will vary. You can get an H valve and another first stage for a whole lot less.

I like doubles or H-valves for the simplicity with which redundancy is delivered. 2 first stages and 2 second stages, 1 spg, 1 or 2 inflators (d/s or no). One of the second stages in your mouth and the other hanging around your neck, unless second stage #1 is in someone else's mouth, then you have #2, well you get the idea. If either first stage fails, shut off that valve and enjoy a safe ascent with air delivered from first stage #2.

 

[mike_s]

im goint to have to do some research on the H-vale .... how would an H valve
help with redundancy.. if the first and 2nd stage dumps out ..

The H-valve allows you to put TWO(2) first and second stages on one tank. The H-valve also has indpendent knobs for each side of the valve. So if the o-ring blew out of one side for example, you turn it off and breath from the other side.

This way you operate two completely seperate regulator systems. It doesn't change anything in air managment though as you still have "1" tank of air.


here is an example of an H-valve

 

[MSilvia]

Used 19s are pretty easy to come by, No offense Matt.

None taken... 19s are easy to come by precisely because the only thing they're good for is a pony. Of course, if a pony is all you want it for, it's not a bad size.

 

[Ben_ca]

The main reason I would see is redundancy .. back up .. two is better then one.

Gabe

3 is better than 2? .....

:1poke:

 

[Mambo Dave]

I know this is pretty much a non-issue because it's never discussed here at SB, but does that one O-ring to the valve, or two valves in the H, ever fail on a dive? I heard certain brands got pushed out, or worked themselves out, by my LDS. This was why they threw away the new o-ring my PST (or valve) came with and put a different one - one they trusted - in.

Sorry if this is a irrelevant question.

I personally don't feel I'd want the H valve for OW just for the head-hit factor, but the tank I saw rented might have been aligned up poorly.

 

[Gabriel90512]

3 is better than 2? .....

:1poke:

lol no no no .. it would be nice if just one worked ..