Thoughts on Tank Valve Upgrade Configuration...

[CuzzA]

So, I've made the decision to transition all of my tanks and regs to DIN.

I have two sets of LP112's and 72's and a single LP95 that I'm looking for a matching double. One set of 112's and the 72's are doubled. And the other set of 112's are singles with yoke valves.

I would like to have the versatility to dive these tanks as singles (most of the time) and double them up occasionally.

Of course I don't want to swap out valves when I want to do this, so I'm thinking of buying left and right modular DIN valves on the set of single 112's and eventually the LP95's.

Are there any considerations other than another failure point from the plug and the fact that half of my tanks will have left handed valves? Do you set your tanks up backwards (reg on the back and upside down) when diving the left handed valves to keep with the familiarity of valve handle position or dive them with a traditional configuration, but with the valve handle to the left?

 

[Doby45]

Nope, the opening still points to the back of your head. The only difference is you have a knob on the left instead of the right. No biggy. I would also go with the DGX valves, very nice and solid.

PS - If you have doubles or normally dive doubles it should be "familiar" for you to reach either side to manipulate the valve knob. You will have zero issues.

 

[tbone1004]

never rotate the tank around. Rather risky for your first stage... When I dive lefty valves, you just make sure to reach back with the other hand and you should have that memory from diving doubles as mentioned above.

Keep in mind that you still have to drain everything all the way down to remove the plugs to put a manifold in, so I assume you are either OK with this, or are OK with diving them as independent doubles

 

[Doby45]

Also, if'n you don't have one, get a whip. When you drain those tanks down to swap valves or later to manifold or unmanifold you will want the ability to put some air back in your now 0psi tanks. This could prevent you from having to get another VIP.

 

[2airishuman]

So, I've made the decision to transition all of my tanks and regs to DIN.

I have two sets of LP112's and 72's and a single LP95 that I'm looking for a matching double. One set of 112's and the 72's are doubled. And the other set of 112's are singles with yoke valves.

I would like to have the versatility to dive these tanks as singles (most of the time) and double them up occasionally.

Of course I don't want to swap out valves when I want to do this, so I'm thinking of buying left and right modular DIN valves on the set of single 112's and eventually the LP95's.

In essence you're 90% of the way to valve removal any time you install or remove the crossbar, and indeed, some people subscribe to the theory that the best way to make up or break down doubles is to spin them on or off the valves while leaving the crossbar in place. You have to drain the cylinders, of course, before removing the plugs or crossbar, since there's no other way to depressurize it.

As noted upthread, you want to be sure your dive shop will fill the now-empty cylinders without a VIP, or be prepared to fill them partially with a whip. Shops that don't have a technical focus should not be trusted to VIP a twinset, or to break one down or set it up, because it's so easy to damage the valves and outside the experience of many shop owners/instructors/etc who have no tech experience.

Are there any considerations other than another failure point from the plug and the fact that half of my tanks will have left handed valves? Do you set your tanks up backwards (reg on the back and upside down) when diving the left handed valves to keep with the familiarity of valve handle position or dive them with a traditional configuration, but with the valve handle to the left?

I purchased two twinsets which I've since broken down, so I can speak to this from experience: It works just fine. I don't think the modular plug adds a failure point of any substance. I don't set the tanks up "backwards" -- I just note the position of the valve handwheel (left or right) at the beginning of the dive.

 

[CuzzA]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Left and right it is. Garage is starting to look like the beginning of a dive shop.

 

[WarrenZ]

Thanks for the replies fellas. Left and right it is. Garage is starting to look like the beginning of a dive shop.

Most tech Divers seem to have a diveshop in their garage after a while. Just remember to have a good documentation system showing serials and inventory in case you ever need to get your insurance agent involved. You can and should keep a smaller cheaper list if your significant other asks to see it.

 

[Neilwood]

Most tech Divers seem to have a diveshop in their garage after a while. Just remember to have a good documentation system showing serials and inventory in case you ever need to get your insurance agent involved. You can and should keep a smaller cheaper list if your significant other asks to see it.

This but with the proviso that the only time a significant other should know the true price of gear is when and if they need to sell it after death. That way you can't be harmed any further and they don't lose out on too much money.

No way they are finding out what the gear costs while alive though...