What's the deal with H-Valves?

[cool_hardware52]

If I really needed an H valve, I'd get a dual dip tube Y valve. Slightly improved redundancy, and a cleaner execution of the concept.

My "solution" was small doubles, a pair of lp 45's. True redundancy, and my "doubles" reg sets swamped directly.

Tobin

 

[2airishuman]

If I really needed an H valve, I'd get a dual dip tube Y valve. Slightly improved redundancy, and a cleaner execution of the concept.

Do dual dip tube Y valves actually exist in the sense that a diver could go out and purchase one? I've heard of them but have never seen one for sale anywhere.

 

[2airishuman]

My "solution" was small doubles, a pair of lp 45's. True redundancy, and my "doubles" reg sets swamped directly.

Common story. In my case I have a set of double LP72s.

It is my observation that very few people who actually own a twinset or two use H valves for anything. From a redundancy and logistics standpoint the only real drawback to twinsets is upfront cost.

There is also IMO much to be said for carrying a pony bottle on dives where some redundancy is advisable but a twinset isn't a strict requirement. Compared to an H valve arrangement, you don't have to change the valves on your primary cylinders, and you don't have to change your hoses around.

 

[chrisch]

....
It is my observation that very few people who actually own a twinset or two use H valves for anything. From a redundancy and logistics standpoint the only real drawback to twinsets is upfront cost.

There is also IMO much to be said for carrying a pony bottle on dives where some redundancy is advisable but a twinset isn't a strict requirement. Compared to an H valve arrangement, you don't have to change the valves on your primary cylinders, and you don't have to change your hoses around.

I guess it depends on service costs (it is expensive here to keep a set of doubles tested and in oxygen service). A pony tank is not something I would look at to be honest - if I need a fully redundant tank (like ice or solo diving) I would take a deco cyclinder, but if you need redundancy for the regular dive use the doubles.

 

[kablooey]

Who does that leave for H valves? Divers in that odd gray area between recreational and tech. It's a purgatory that few linger in.

I like my H-valves, and the statement above describes me perfectly.

I'm Naui TM2 trained, but stepped back from the deep stuff after about twenty tech dives. Now I dive mostly recreational, but I've found the redundancy ethos hard to part with. My dive group and I often dive cold-ish water (54-57f) wrecks in the 100 to 130 foot neighborhood. For those dives I use a couple single HP119s with H-valves. So far, they've worked very well for me.

I always dive with a buddy, and he will continue to be my first option in case of reg freeze-up, or other emergency. It's just a peace-of-mind thing to have my own independent back-up right there all the time at those depths.

The only downside to H-valves that I've found is they tend to snag more on the kelp. But at shallower depth where kelp is abundant I usually use smaller cylinders with standard valves..

I reserve the right to change my mind and switch back to standard valves, but for now I remain happily in purgatory with my H-valves.

K

 

[grf88]

Most of the dives I do when using my own tanks are in cold water between mid 30's and mid 40's but sometimes lower. I find H-valves useful for single tank dives using a large single. Small doubles would not give me enough gas for 2 dives in the 100 ft. plus range on a charter so I would need larger doubles that although I have I don't enjoy lugging them around unless I need the gas for a single dive.

 

[cool_hardware52]

I like my H-valves, and the statement above describes me perfectly.

I'm Naui TM2 trained, but stepped back from the deep stuff after about twenty tech dives. Now I dive mostly recreational, but I've found the redundancy ethos hard to part with. My dive group and I often dive cold-ish water (54-57f) wrecks in the 100 to 130 foot neighborhood. For those dives I use a couple single HP119s with H-valves. So far, they've worked very well for me.

I always dive with a buddy, and he will continue to be my first option in case of reg freeze-up, or other emergency. It's just a peace-of-mind thing to have my own independent back-up right there all the time at those depths.

The only downside to H-valves that I've found is they tend to snag more on the kelp. But at shallower depth where kelp is abundant I usually use smaller cylinders with standard valves..

I reserve the right to change my mind and switch back to standard valves, but for now I remain happily in purgatory with my H-valves.

K

The good news is you "Unicorns" should never have to pay retail for H valves.

Tobin

 

[Caveeagle]

The good news is you "Unicorns" should never have to pay retail for H valves.

Tobin

That's pretty much true for manifolds too, and backplate too. I think I'm sitting on two spare manifolds right now, just because they were dirt cheap.

..and I sold off the two Y valves I had a while back. (Yoke). I might have kept them around if they were then Beuchat DIN versions..

 

[cool_hardware52]

Do dual dip tube Y valves actually exist in the sense that a diver could go out and purchase one? I've heard of them but have never seen one for sale anywhere.

Sure. Mine look like this: (any resemblance to iso bar doubles manifold is purely coincidental)

I kinda lost interest in real Y valves once I went to genuine doubles, but I'd guess Y valves are easier to find in 25mm than 3/4 Straight.

Tobin

 

[Caveeagle]

Do dual dip tube Y valves actually exist in the sense that a diver could go out and purchase one? I've heard of them but have never seen one for sale anywhere.

They were made by Beuchat. I don't think they are made anymore, but they pop up here and there on CL and fleaBay