Valve orientation

[Mike McG]

Hi there, im imjust about to buy an Alu 40 to use as a slung pony and I have to order the valve separately. I’ll like to know if I need a ‘left’ valve or a ‘right valve in order to have the valve and primary 1stage all orientated correctly under my left arm. I realise this isn’t specifically a sidemount question but I figured this would be the best thread to post in for advice on how the valves should be orietated for side slung cylinders. I’m doing solo certs soon but i’m just looking to get my own gear.

Thanks!

Mike.

 

[rjack321]

It's a normal right sided valve with the opening oriented up into your left armpit

 

[Mike McG]

Thanks mate!

 

[inquis]

Also no need to spend a ton of money on a rigging kit. Make your own for cheap. I like the lower clip to be 1" eye or bigger because gloves. I also like a 3/8" or 10mm (inside diam) rubber fuel hose so the retaining bands are easier to lift.

 

[34109411]

Hi there, im imjust about to buy an Alu 40 to use as a slung pony and I have to order the valve separately. I’ll like to know if I need a ‘left’ valve or a ‘right valve in order to have the valve and primary 1stage all orientated correctly under my left arm. I realise this isn’t specifically a sidemount question but I figured this would be the best thread to post in for advice on how the valves should be orietated for side slung cylinders. I’m doing solo certs soon but i’m just looking to get my own gear.

Thanks!

Mike.

Hi Mike,

I don't know how deep you go but in my opinion a 40 Al for a pony is bit big if you carry already a 80 on your back. Unless you do CCR or something like that. If you have question about your solo certs let me know i ve done mine with sdi last summer.

Be safe

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Al40 is not too big for a pony. Especially if he plans to go tech at some point or get into sidemount. I started with a 19 many moons ago and soon discovered that it wasn't ideal. Picked up a 40 and never looked back. At one point I had 3 of them and a couple 30s for O2.
The 19 gets used to fill tires and blow out the coils on mine and my GF's fridges.
I recommended a minimum of 30 cu ft when I was teaching the SDI Solo class.
Because having more air is not a bad thing.

 

[34109411]

Al40 is not too big for a pony. Especially if he plans to go tech at some point or get into sidemount. I started with a 19 many moons ago and soon discovered that it wasn't ideal. Picked up a 40 and never looked back. At one point I had 3 of them and a couple 30s for O2.
The 19 gets used to fill tires and blow out the coils on mine and my GF's fridges.
I recommended a minimum of 30 cu ft when I was teaching the SDI Solo class.
Because having more air is not a bad thing.

yeah

Al40 is not too big for a pony. Especially if he plans to go tech at some point or get into sidemount. I started with a 19 many moons ago and soon discovered that it wasn't ideal. Picked up a 40 and never looked back. At one point I had 3 of them and a couple 30s for O2.
The 19 gets used to fill tires and blow out the coils on mine and my GF's fridges.
I recommended a minimum of 30 cu ft when I was teaching the SDI Solo class.
Because having more air is not a bad thing.

yeah all depend i guess. I ve got a 30 CF but it s purely in case of emergency cause i am back mount for my primary. The 19 was maybe too small for my rmv.

Be safe

 

[halocline]

Hi there, im imjust about to buy an Alu 40 to use as a slung pony and I have to order the valve separately. I’ll like to know if I need a ‘left’ valve or a ‘right valve in order to have the valve and primary 1stage all orientated correctly under my left arm. I realise this isn’t specifically a sidemount question but I figured this would be the best thread to post in for advice on how the valves should be orietated for side slung cylinders. I’m doing solo certs soon but i’m just looking to get my own gear.

Thanks!

Mike.

If you are carrying a stage in sidemount, on your left, then you want a left hand valve (same as the right tank) so that the valve handle goes to the right. This makes it much easier to reach with your right hand, and it clearly differentiates it from the valve of your left SM tank which is pointing to the left. At least that’s how I do it, and I can’t really imagine having the stage valve pointing left, which would put it basically in between the stage and left tank. Also, in that configuration, you are always using the right hand on the valve to remove and replace the stage, with the left hand on the bolt snap down near the bottom of the stage.

If you’re asking about using a stage/pony on a single tank, I think you could go either way. If the pony is slung on the left side, it might seem nice to have the valve pointing out (to the left) which would mean a right hand valve. But, I would consider how you intend to remove/replace it, like if you were handing it off. If you want your right hand on the valve, orient it to the right. If you want to sling it on the right, that probably means your left hand would be manipulating the valve during removal, so valve pointing left, which means right hand valve. Remember the regulator is typically ‘up’ so the valve orientation is the opposite of what you might first expect.

 

[Rilelen]

Chiming in to say that I’m a petite lady with very good gas consumption, and I love the size of an AL40; they’re a nice little bottle. Small and lightweight, easy to sling, and still have a significant air reserve; even if I don’t need all of it, 1) my buddies might and 2) I’d much rather have too much air than too little.

 

[The Chairman]

I don't know how deep you go but in my opinion a 40 Al for a pony is bit big

An AL40 is the smallest tank I own. If/when you need it, having all that gas is a real relief. Plus, it's easier for me to sling than the smaller tanks. If it's going to be a dive below 100fsw, then I'll be slinging another 80. It's a bit bulky on land, but hardly there when in the water.