Tank for Argon

[KneeDeep]

ok, what size and type of tank do you use for argon gas for dry suit?

Do they make a steel 6-8 tank? Anyone using a 13 or is that too big.

AND, how you filling? have a larger tank and then just transfer? Using a booster? I'm just wondering how to get max fill if the donor tank is say 1500 psi? Or not worry about it as long as you can get a dive or 2 from a 1500 argon dive tank since you can 'fill' onsite if you bring the donor tank (thats well marked).

If your filling with a 'low' donor tank (say 1500ish psi), how much do you use per dive? Just trying to find a gauge.

 

[Tassi Devil Diver]

Why are you bothering with argon?? when air is just as effective for suit inflation and a lot less of a hassle than argon. Just get a transfill whip and grab a top up from a handy air tank. A lot easier than bothering with argon for little gain.

 

[spectrum]

Why are you bothering with argon?? when air is just as effective for suit inflation and a lot less of a hassle than argon. Just get a transfill whip and grab a top up from a handy air tank. A lot easier than bothering with argon for little gain.

If he's going to use air why would he bother with a dedicated cylinder? It's simpler to tap the back gas. The volume used should not be significant.

And... Since when is there no benefit to using Argon? Perhaps not signifigant to you but "just as effective"?

 

[Kevrumbo]

6 cuft/1L bottle of Air is fine for suit inflation, if your backgas/bottom mix is Trimix. No need for Argon anymore; Use an active undergarment heater instead:

UTD Equipment Solar Heating Systems

 

[bl6394]

As already stated - argon theoretically has an advantage over air - due to its thermal properties (i.e. - less conductive); however, from a practical point of view - air may be nearly as effective. This is particularly true if one doesn't take the trouble to flush your drysuit several times with argon before the dive to ensure that the air has been replaced. As I recall, Navy studies have failed to measure a difference in core temperature or perceived warmth with divers when using argon.

(That said - I do still dive with it when I'm using trimix and the conditions are severe.) I use the Al 14 - and got several deep dives (max depth 250 feet) out of the cylinder.

In any event, if you were going to dive with argon - you might look for one of the old low pressure Luxfer AL 14 cylinders. They are no longer made - but do show up for sale from time to time. It has a working pressure of 2015 psi - so you can get decent fills decanting from a typical argon source cylinder with a working pressure of 2200 psi.

Alternatively - if you buy a cylinder with a higher pressure rating (e.g. 3000) - you may be able to find a fill shop that will boost the argon for you. Or you can top with air for Airgon.

But in general - I suspect that the 3000 psi cylinders charged with air do a decent job as an alternate inflation source.

Bjorn

 

[ajduplessis]

It depends on your dive (depth) and how effiecient your are using your suit. Example: 3 or 6cft cylinder will be to small for a 300ft dive. Thus get a size that fits your needs. Generally a transfill whip is used to do the fills. I would NOT make my booster availible if argon is pumped, but thats me and other might not mind. Filling from low donor cylinder will reduce end pressures as the system will only equlise. I dont know what other do.