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Unless also filled to 3000 psiA LP 72 will definitely provide you with less air than a AL80.
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Unless also filled to 3000 psiA LP 72 will definitely provide you with less air than a AL80.
A LP 72 will definitely provide you with less air than a AL80.
So, I love my old school 72s.... A little pro/con for you;
Weight- a smidge lighter, but less buoyant. Results in less lead on belt (approximately 4 to 6 lb)
Capacity- at 2250 they are only 65 cf. However, many shops fill lp steels to 2600 without even looking at what is stamped. If you have a shop that does "cave fills" at 2800 they are a true 80 cf
Trim- they don't get as floaty in the tail as they empty.
Tank ownership- keep it full and dive when you want without having to coordinate picking up or returning a rental.
Value- have to do the math on price difference between a fill and a rental at your shop. For me the math breaks even at about 20 dives a year per tank I own. I may not make those numbers, or I may far exceed them... For me it's close enough the convenience makes it worth it.
Your milage may vary....
Only way to be sure is to measure internal volume, then do the math off of the service pressure. The + means it was ok'd for a 10% overfill, unfortunately manufacturers of steel tanks include that in there designation. So your tank has a sevice pressure of 2250, but was plus rated resulting in a nominal 72 cf at 2475 psi.Let me make sure, even though it is 3" longer than the usual LP72, 28.5" long, and with a +?
I am not really concerned about you but I am concerned about newer divers that read to turn it back a little because it will save the seat and remember that they heard turn it back a quarter turn somewhere. These are the ones who may find themselves at depth with their regulator not providing any air. You are welcome to do as you like but do me a favour and don't promote the idea of turning the valve back, you may just save someone's life. All agencies teach against this practice but there are some in the industry that just don't get it and still promote it. Can it happen, I have first hand experience when after I had turned my tank on and tested it a divemaster on the charter turned it off and back on a quarter turn. At about 60 ft. the reg stopped providing air. Fortunately I was both experienced enough to recognize the problem and simply reached back to turn it on. I am not confident that many newer divers would be able to easily do either in a stressful situation.I think we have to agree to disagree one this. Well you've wasted your efforts on me my friend.
So, I love my old school 72s.... A little pro/con for you;
Weight- a smidge lighter, but less buoyant. Results in less lead on belt (approximately 4 to 6 lb)
Capacity- at 2250 they are only 65 cf. However, many shops fill lp steels to 2600 without even looking at what is stamped. If you have a shop that does "cave fills" at 2800 they are a true 80 cf
Trim- they don't get as floaty in the tail as they empty.
Tank ownership- keep it full and dive when you want without having to coordinate picking up or returning a rental.
Value- have to do the math on price difference between a fill and a rental at your shop. For me the math breaks even at about 20 dives a year per tank I own. I may not make those numbers, or I may far exceed them... For me it's close enough the convenience makes it worth it.
Your milage may vary....
I am not really concerned about you but I am concerned about newer divers that read to turn it back a little because it will save the seat and remember that they heard turn it back a quarter turn somewhere. These are the ones who may find themselves at depth with their regulator not providing any air. You are welcome to do as you like but do me a favour and don't promote the idea of turning the valve back, you may just save someone's life. All agencies teach against this practice but there are some in the industry that just don't get it and still promote it. Can it happen, I have first hand experience when after I had turned my tank on and tested it a divemaster on the charter turned it off and back on a quarter turn. At about 60 ft. the reg stopped providing air. Fortunately I was both experienced enough to recognize the problem and simply reached back to turn it on. I am not confident that many newer divers would be able to easily do either in a stressful situation.
I have a 72 with a J valve. I don't have the rod but I just dive with it in the down position and use my spg like normal. The only issue I have is the 0 ring is a weird size that doesn't come in the save a dive 0 ring boxes, so I have to go begging at my LDS to find the correct size. They always find one for me.