Valves up or down? Considerations...

[DDKL]

I've tried it out to this degree, but I'd like to get the hose routing sorted properly and be able to kit up normally to get a real feel for how the setup would work out long term.

You could try valve-down without a protector if your doubles' weight is easily managed. Cousteau's earliest rigs were triples that used double-ended cylinders and a manifold top and bottom. One cylinder was the "hard reserve" with the valve on the bottom.

http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/03368/cousteau-tank_3368928b.jpg

Just turn your back plate upside-down, use your long hose, and swim around in a pool or protected body of water or off a boat with a deck hand willing to help. A rocky surf entry would probably be a bad idea though.

 

[lucca brassi]

When I started DIR way and also have asked similar questions to my friends , they looked me like outcasts one ) near to be crucified. ;-))

so I have than do ,just what other did dive in right way ;-)) without regrets

 

[Akimbo]

I've tried it out to this degree, but I'd like to get the hose routing sorted properly and be able to kit up normally to get a real feel for how the setup would work out long term.

Did you actually dive your rig valve-down or just do a dry-fit? It isn't hard to find a routing that works for a standard length SPG hose. Your wing inflator hose will be too short for a test dive in a pool or shallow protected dive spot, but you can just stand up or drop lead. What would diving a rig with a protector like mine tell you that a pool dive with your rig jury-rigged valve down wouldn't?

BTW, a bunch of friends are getting together and building some second-gen protectors like mine. One of them has a shop with a CNC waterjet, welders, and a small machine shop. I can check with him and ask what he might charge to cut more parts out if anyone is interested.

 

[Boiler_81]

I would be interested in knowing what he would charge.

Did you actually dive your rig valve-down or just do a dry-fit? It isn't hard to find a routing that works for a standard length SPG hose. Your wing inflator hose will be too short for a test dive in a pool or shallow protected dive spot, but you can just stand up or drop lead. What would diving a rig with a protector like mine tell you that a pool dive with your rig jury-rigged valve down wouldn't?

BTW, a bunch of friends are getting together and building some second-gen protectors like mine. One of them has a shop with a CNC waterjet, welders, and a small machine shop. I can check with him and ask what he might charge to cut more parts out if anyone is interested.

 

[Makhno]

Akimbo, I'd also be interested in knowing what that would cost me. I've got shoulder mobility problems which make valve shutdowns on normal backmounted, manifolded doubles increasingly difficult.

An instructor friend is going to give me a sidemount crash course this weekend (useful anyway, for certain cave dives) but for diving from a boat I think I'd prefer backmount, and a manifold has its advantages. If I could easily do that valves-down, I might be happier with a twist.

 

[Doby45]

I think it would be cool as hell to run modern backmount doubles upside down. of course you would have to lengthen hoses, but they could run safely up the center channel and then go to where they are needed. You would just need one of the tank stands like how a rebreather has a stand. I am sure you would also have to work out your trim as you are putting all the weight you normally have up on your shoulders down near you butt. Like the added weight of the valves, regs and manifold..

 

[Akimbo]

I would be interested in knowing what he would charge.

OK, could anyone interested send a PM me (a Conversation in the new format). It could take a while but will follow up once I complete a few drawings and get a price.

 

[DDKL]

This was a while ago, but I did try it out in the water. I'd like to see how it feels after being in the water for an hour or more and moving about as I would usually over an average cold water dive... The short test I did do convinced me that it was worthwhile trying seriously.

Did you actually dive your rig valve-down or just do a dry-fit? It isn't hard to find a routing that works for a standard length SPG hose. Your wing inflator hose will be too short for a test dive in a pool or shallow protected dive spot, but you can just stand up or drop lead. What would diving a rig with a protector like mine tell you that a pool dive with your rig jury-rigged valve down wouldn't?

BTW, a bunch of friends are getting together and building some second-gen protectors like mine. One of them has a shop with a CNC waterjet, welders, and a small machine shop. I can check with him and ask what he might charge to cut more parts out if anyone is interested.

 

[Billy Northrup]

I just ordered the stand from Kent and certainly interested in Akimbo's valve protector as well. The pain, strain, effort and slowness coupled with mostly impossibly reaching of the valves could be over. Thank-you contributors.