regulator question.... HP or LP tanks

[geoffgill80]

Very new to diving. Certified Spring 2010. Less than 20 dives total, most shore dives in shallow water (less than 40').

here is my question.... I currently dive an LP steel tank (yoke valve). I am looking to buy an additional (new or used) steel tank. Can I use both HP and LP tanks on the same reg or do i need an adjustment to my reg in order to dive an HP tank?

any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Spring cant come soon enought to the NorthEast!!!

 

[tbone1004]

Depends on the type of steel tank. If you have the true HP steel tanks (WP of 3500psi) then you need to change your regulator to DIN as DOT regulations don't allow yoke valves on those. Most of the new HP tanks are 3442 psi which allow either a yoke, DIN, or convertible pro valve which does both. I use PST HP tanks, but that's because they were cheap and I use DIN all the time anyway.

 

[herman]

As long as the reg yoke is rated for the tank pressure and many yokes are, then there is nothing you need to do to your reg. A bigger issue is, can your LDS fill your HP tanks to rated pressure, if not then they are a waste.

 

[geoffgill80]

good point.... i would be looking for an HP with the convertable yoke/din valve.

i am just not sure if i would be able to dive both tanks with the same reg. Is there some sort of regulator adjustment needed to dive the 3442 HP that would stop me from diving my LP tank?

as far as the Din/Yoke deal, everything i have read so far claims that Din is a much safer valve. My ultimate goal is to be all Din.

 

[g1138]

Haven't used din but I have a few friends who do.
If you convert to din, you'll need a din-yoke adapter to dive any yoke LP Tanks.
I'm not familiar if one adapter is universal to 200bar and 300bar din valves.
The biggest complaint I've heard with this route is that the adapter pushes your first stage into your head. May not be a problem if you wear your tank low enough.
Once again though I've never tried this, I've only heard of it.

Din to Yoke Adapter

 

[tbone1004]

my adapters are all 200 bar din and won't screw all the way on. 300 bar din regs are all compatible with 200 bar stuff. so tanks, adapters etc.

No regulator adjustments. The way the regs work, they don't really care what the pressure is as long as it is above the IP setting, so call it above 150 psi and up.

If you're converting to DIN, or plan to, then you may as well just convert your regs over and be done with it. Opens you up to the world of the true HP tanks which are fairly easy to come by, and sometimes easier to find than the newer 3442 tanks

 

[Jim Baldwin]

If your goal is to go all DIN the convertible din/yoke values on the newer steel tanks are an excellent choice. All of my steel tanks are the older HP 3500 with the DIN valves. As another poster said be sure and check with your LDS on fills. You can always upside on cu ft tanks so you will have more gas regardless.

On my AL tanks I replaced the yoke valves with DIN. If you have a LP steel you can do the same thing.

As far as the DIN adapter I use one when I travel and don't find it an issue.

I know this is a general statement but any new regulator should be able to handle your needs with no problem. Should be no adjustment necessary from LP to HP tanks. I dive LP 95 and 120's when I travel to Mexico and use the same regs back home with my HP tanks topped off at 4000. Can't tell the difference.

 

[geoffgill80]

thank you for all the posts. My question has been answered.

its great to have a forum like this to get info.