Pony

[MASS-Diver]

What a GREAT Site!

I was wondering if anyone could offer any adivce as to how I should attach my pony bottle to my tank (30cu pony to a single 120hps), I also want to be able to easily deattach the pony. My dive shop is selling a harness/bracket for $100, is there a cheaper or better rig that some of you are using? Thanks.

 

[trymixdiver]

Mounting to your tank is an option, there are half a dozen companies making a bracket for that application

I feel the better solution is to carry it rigged as a stage bottle and worn on the left side. This is not difficult to do, infact its very simple.

here are my reasons:

1 you could unclip it and pass it off to a OOA diver.

2. You can reach the valve much easier

3. better trim

Andy

 

[Uncle Pug]

I'll add to Andy's list:
4. You can turn it on then back off leaving the 2nd stage charged but not lose any of your gas accidently.

5. You have less of an entanglement hazard (big issue.)

6. Less drag

Check my profile picture and you will see how we wear our deco bottles.

Here is a picture of a AL80 stage with regulator from the WKPP site:

 

[trymixdiver]

I tried the tank mount system before

I didnt like it because i when i wanted to dive a single tank for shallow reef dives, i always had to mess with that damn bracket. I got frustrated with it enough i ended up getting into my first set of doubles (AL 80s). However, now i think back on it a stage bottle rigged to the left side would have worked just as well.

Andy

 

[Lost Yooper]

Here's how to rig it as a stage:

http://www.bentleytech.com/cave/stage/index.html

I agree with the above, don't put it on your back tanks.

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Bob3]

Hard mounting a pony should be considered a no-no. If you do happen to use a quick detach tank mount, invert the pony so you can get at the valve easily for clearing fouled reg & valve. Keeping the valve off is also my preferred method.
ut:
Your mileage may vary, of course.

 

[MASS-Diver]

Thanks for the advice guys, it makes a lot of sense to just carry it as a stage bottle, I think I will go with that option.

 

[MASS-Diver]

One more question about pony rigs. If I wear my pony as a stage bottle (cliped on my left side), is it possible to rout the reg across my body or do I need to keep the reg as one would with a deo bottle? I ask this because I was hoping (when I was still thinking about mouting my pony on my tank) to wear the pony second stage around my neck (like people with doubles often wear their second reg). Since I'm only working with a single tank, I liked the idea of having another redundant reg right below my face (my primary reg is on a 7' hose). Is this possible with a sling rigged pony. I hope my question is clear. Thanks!

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by MASS-Diver
Is this possible with a sling rigged pony. I hope my question is clear. Thanks!

It is certainly possible but probably not the best as it eliminates an important feature of the stage mount... the ability to hand it off.

I personally would rig my single tank regulator up DIR fashion with the backup on a short hose and necklaced under my chin and the primary on a long hose to be donated to an OOA.

The stage would merely be used as a redundant back up when required, say on a charter that required ponies.

HOWEVER:

I personally would not use a pony in the first place. If the dive requires that level of redundancy then I would be diving doubles with an isolation manifold and two 1st stages DIR rigged.

If the dive does not require that level of redundancy (NDL <100fsw) then I would be happy with my single DIR configuration.

But since you have a need to dive with a pony my suggestion is as above. DIR rig the back gas, stage rig the pony, pressurize the pony regulator then turn it off and leave it stowed on the bottle. Be sure to have an SPG on a short hose mounted like pictured... do not go cheap and use the small button SPG.

 

[Lost Yooper]

You'll need a 40" to use a left side stage bottle. It routes behind your neck and goes into your mouth from the right side. Pressurize the reg prior to getting into the water, but keep the bottle turned off until needed.

Good luck.

Mike