Thinking of doubles???

[lragsac]

Im considering diving doubles but im not really sure what size tanks to double up. Im an average size girl and i would like to go with steel tanks. Should i go with steel 80's or 100's or are they to much???

Don't necessarily rule out aluminum 80's. If cost is a factor, it will be less expensive to put together a set of these than PST tanks, unless you can find some used PST's of the appropriate size. Of course, you'll need to add more lead (v-weight at least). I dive steel 72's and they work nicely for shore diving, but you won't be able to use them in a tech class (at least not GUE, to my knowledge). Nice thing about alum. 80's is if you decide to put together a different rig you can always break them down for stages.

 

[strider]

"Did you say you used a LP steel 131CF cylinder?????? I used a LP steel 120 with H-valve for my Deco Procedures class and the thing weighed a level ton. I did not realize they made larger LP tanks. That thing must be a bear.
--Matt"

The 131 is long, but only weighs about ten more pounds than an aluminum 80 and I can take five pounds off my weight belt and could easily take a couple more if I wanted. I am 6'2" and the length is actually pretty comfortable for me.
Incidentally, if I happen to get a 3000psi fill with the LP 131 I have 149cu.ft of air, which is a pretty nice sized tank

People seem to be pushing for the twin aluminums, which is what I started with, but not something I would recommend unless I knew what they were being used for. I twinned mine because I had 12 alum 80s around and it made sense, but they weigh almost as much as steels and you have to add some extra lead to offset buoyancy. Being a lot smaller than me you may not use much lead anyway and steels might make you almost too negative, if there is such a thing.

 

[pescador775]

In the past, I've heard from women who said that they liked the twin HP 80's. This would be a load for beach diving but is not too heavy for the average woman making entries from a boat. I've heard some stories about petite women lugging much larger rigs but I take it with a grain of salt. The 80's are appropriate for someone whose height may be in the 5'5" range and 130 pounds. These tanks hold a LOT of air so don't worry about that. Make sure you get a good fill before deep diving as some shops take short cuts.

 

[Snowbear]

In the past, I've heard from women who said that they liked the twin HP 80's. This would be a load for beach diving but is not too heavy for the average woman making entries from a boat. I've heard some stories about petite women lugging much larger rigs but I take it with a grain of salt. The 80's are appropriate for someone whose height may be in the 5'5" range and 130 pounds. These tanks hold a LOT of air so don't worry about that. Make sure you get a good fill before deep diving as some shops take short cuts.

I'm not petit at 5'6" and a bit more than 130# HP80's are too short for me - they screw up my trim too much. I have a set of HP120's that work well as doubles, though lugging them around on the beach (or up that hill at Sunrise down in WA!) can get a bit tiring. HP100's work for me as well. Oh - don't OD on the salt

 

[scubasean]

I'm not petit at 5'6" and a bit more than 130# HP80's are too short for me - they screw up my trim too much. I have a set of HP120's that work well as doubles, though lugging them around on the beach (or up that hill at Sunrise down in WA!) can get a bit tiring. HP100's work for me as well. Oh - don't OD on the salt

I've just recently used my HP100 doubles and was grossly overweighted...I'd be interested in knowing how much weight you might have had on your belt with doubled 100's as compared to when you might have used a single HP100.

Thanks!

Sean

 

[Snowbear]

I've just recently used my HP100 doubles and was grossly overweighted...I'd be interested in knowing how much weight you might have had on your belt with doubled 100's as compared to when you might have used a single HP100.

Thanks!

Sean

I normally use 6# with a single HP100.

With the doubles, I'm overweighted until I breathe them down.

With 200psi and my wing and DS empty (brrr!) I can hold 10' and control my ascent. This time of year (winter) I add 2# (when using the single) I can stay warmer at the shallower depths, but when the water's 48F+, it's not an issue.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

My ex-wife and now my girlfriend each use twin PST LP80s. They are manageable for moderately easy shore dives (stairs, not goat trails) and perfect for boat diving.

 

[MikeC]

Did you say you used a LP steel 131CF cylinder?????? I used a LP steel 120 with H-valve for my Deco Procedures class and the thing weighed a level ton. I did not realize they made larger LP tanks. That thing must be a bear.

--Matt

Back around '95 or '96 I saw a LP 140, made by Beuchat. It was for sale in the US. It was SOOO heavy, an LP 120 seemed light and an LP AL 80 seemed like a Pepsi can. The dealer, who I trust with my life, said that Beuchat also made an LP 190. I hope to never see that.