Tank valve - left or right???

[Scubaroo]

Okay, so I don't know left from right...

If I'm looking at a tank valve from front on (i.e. the DIN hole is facing me), and the knob is on the left, and the manifold hole (assuming it can be converted to a H valve or manifold) is on the right, is this a "left" or "right" valve? (I think I know but want to check).

Reason I'm asking is I just bought a tank with a H valve fitted, and I only have one regulator, and don't wish to have the extra valve hanging off the tank for the kelp to wrap around, so I'm going to plug the stem. It's a Dive Rite valve, and they sell a plug just for this purpose, but it comes in L and R threaded versions.

Also, does anyone on this board personally use a DIN to yoke adapter on a DIN tank? It's a 2400 LP tank, and Dive Rite also have an adaptor for this. I know a lot of people don't recommend them because it's an additional o-ring to fail, but I either buy one of these for $6, or fork out $50 or $150 for a completely new K valve or DIN first stage, and the wallet is hurting enough. I don't wish to convert my yoke reg to DIN because I often rent tanks (can't take this one everywhere) and DIN isn't always available.

thanks!!!

Ben

 

[Rick Murchison]

That's the right side tank.
If it's on a LP tank it may be a 200 Bar DIN, in which case it may take a simple insert to convert it to accomodate a yoke reg. If it's a 300 Bar DIN then I doubt there's an insert for it (at least there was no such beast the last time I tried to find one) and your solution is to have a DIN fitting for your reg.
Hope that answers your questions.
Rick

 

[Scubaroo]

Thanks Rick, I thought it was "right". It's a 2400 psi tank, so I'm assuming it's only a 200 bar DIN valve. Can't see any markings on the valve at all except for a partial Dive Rite sticker.

I'm thinking of just replacing the whole valve with a K valve, and flogging off the entire H valve on eBay to offset the cost. Save worrying about the adapter blowing an o-ring.

 

[Rick Murchison]

Originally posted by bengiddins
Thanks Rick, I thought it was "right". It's a 2400 psi tank, so I'm assuming it's only a 200 bar DIN valve. Can't see any markings on the valve at all except for a partial Dive Rite sticker.

I'm thinking of just replacing the whole valve with a K valve, and flogging off the entire H valve on eBay to offset the cost. Save worrying about the adapter blowing an o-ring.

There isn't much chance of blowing the o-ring in a DIN adapter - it's a captured o-ring and that's one of the DIN's chief advantages. I personally have seen lots of blown o-rings on yoke connections but I have never seen or even heard of a blown internal o-ring in a DIN to yoke insert. Not one. Anybody else?
Rick

 

[Lost Yooper]

A conversion for your reg shouldn't cost too much (like $30), and it only takes a couple minutes (max) to put it on.

Let me know if you're going to sell that H-valve though .

Mike

 

[roakey]

Originally posted by bengiddins
If I'm looking at a tank valve from front on (i.e. the DIN hole is facing me), and the knob is on the left, and the manifold hole (assuming it can be converted to a H valve or manifold) is on the right, is this a "left" or "right" valve? (I think I know but want to check).

That's a left VALVE. There's competing terminology in this area, so bear with me. If you’re talking the VALVE, with the opening facing you, as you described, the side the knob is on is the “valveness.” If assembled into doubles, this left VALVE would be the right POST.

So left valve = right post, right valve = left post.

So much for standards!

Roak

 

[Scubaroo]

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr....... :upset:

I've decided to get the yoke adapter to screw in the DIN hole (its 200 bar), and get the stem plug. But now there's people saying both left AND right!

I was under the impression it was a right valve, simply because if it was part of a manifold, it would be on your right hand side.

I'm emailing Dive Rite to get a definitive answer. Will keep you posted.

Ben

 

[Scubaroo]

Straight from Dive Rite's website:

--snip--

TELLING RIGHT FROM LEFT

How do you tell a right-hand K-valve (or the outboard portion of a dual-orifice manifold) from a left-hand one? Here is how:

• Look at the valve orifice.

• Whichever side the turn wheel is on determines whether it is a right- or left-hand valve.

• A "normal" K-valve is left-handed--as is the portion of a dual-orifice manifold which is on a diver's right side. Left-hand K-valves mate with plug or cross bar sections whose threads turn opposite the "normal" direction. To indicate this, the plug or cross-bar lock nuts are notched.

--end snip--

Which is basically what roakey said. Sorry Rick, I misread what you said - the right side tank (which you said) has a LEFT valve... which means I was wrong thinking I had a RIGHT valve. The H valve indeed has a notched lock nut, so it trully is a LEFT valve.

What's wrong with stamping a bloody L or R on the valve when it's made!!! Huh?!?!

For reference the link where I found this was here.

Ben

 

[Rick Murchison]

Sorry - I thought you wanted to know which side the valve would be on when rigged for doubles - which is the right side. The right side valve has left hand threads for the manifold (or "H" valve).
Rick

 

[Scubaroo]

Ended up getting a plug, and yoke converter for the valve from Leisure Pro for about $13 the pair. H-adapter is now on eBay