Splitting doubles - swap valves or plug them?

[-JD-]

The valves on it are now are Thermos. Dunno if they are the “current” XS Scuba ones made in Taiwan or the older made in Japan ones.

Plugs should be pretty readily available for Thermo's - I'd say plug-um good and be done with it. Pad the manifold crossbars well (to prevent damage to the valve-engagement surfaces and store them away for the future.

ETA: having an "odd" valve is is a good icebreaker for pre-dive buddy briefing.

 

[Badger7]

The valves on it are now are Thermos. Dunno if they are the “current” XS Scuba ones made in Taiwan or the older made in Japan ones.

Near as I can tell, the only appreciable difference between the older and newer thermo valves is the thread on the dip tube and whether there is a hex opening to set them or if you need to wrap the tube with a rubber band and use pliers. If you do pull one of the valves off the tank, check the dip tube - round bottom opening = japan, and hex bottom opening = taiwan (again, as near as I can tell comparing both side by side).

When I got started with steel tanks and cold water diving, I bought a set of doubles, split them and plugged them, and dove them as singles for an entire year. When I wanted to take fundies the next year in doubles, I got a fresh VIP on them and put the manifold and bands back on.

I didn't find having one tank with a LH valve an issue. I even standardized such that the first dive of the day was the RH valve and the second was the LH valve, so didnt have to fumble around reaching both sides to find the valves when doing a pre-dive flow check while floating around waiting for stragglers.

 

[jellycatsdad]

Ok, looks like I can save some cash and just plug my valves instead. I’ll order a small HP hose and spool so someone doesn’t mix up my transmitter as a valve knob.

 

[Kendall Raine]

Ok, looks like I can save some cash and just plug my valves instead. I’ll order a small HP hose and spool so someone doesn’t mix up my transmitter as a valve knob.

Good call on HP hose. The transmitter doesn't like being used as a valve handle.