Wing for double AL40's

[mangrovejack]

As per the subject, I'm after a recommendation for a small doubles wing for doubling Catalina Al40 tanks. I'll be using this with at most a 3mm wetsuit, so don't need huge lift capacity.

Halcyon make an Evolve 30lbs wing which sounds like it might be the best, but I'm after other opinions on small wings that would work.

I currently use a Halcyon 40lbs Evolve (for my double Faber HP100's), 30lbs Eclipse (for single tanks) and a DSS 17lbs Torus (for travel). Don't think any of my current wings are really appropriate though.

Thanks.

 

[masterof0]

I am not sure what the buoyancy charactersitics of your suit or tanks are, but the best that I can offer you is to do a search on cool_hardware52. The wing size does not necessarily correlate to the tanks. He has several threads out there that talk about sizing yoru wing appropriately. Your total ballast requirements are what will determine what your wing sizing should be. Here is another thread I found after a quick search where gombessa has created a spreadsheet that highlights some key areas.

http://scubaboard.com/forums/dir/278434-evolve-40-60-doubles.html

 

[halocline]

About a year ago dive rite came out with a larger version of the travel wing. It was a lousy single tank wing because it was too wide, but I bet it would be perfect for doubles of this size. I'm sure there are places that still have some they would be happy to get rid of at a deal, as they soon went back to the smaller size.

Interesting how a bad idea for a single wing might be perfect for this set up. It really looks like a mini doubles wing.

 

[micklock]

You might want to look at the Dive Rite Trek wing, I use one with my double steel 40's. It is a lot smaller in size than the Hog 38 wing.

 

[mangrovejack]

Thanks guys, I will look into that. I did think about singles wings, but don't want to take a punt unless I know it will work (one, the size and two, the inflator hose location).

I've been pointed towards the HOG 32lb singles wing as another potential contender as others have used them successfully with small doubles also.

 

[NorthWoodsDiver]

oxycheq makes like a 17 or 18lb lift wing, that would be ideal I would think. otherwise I know my 32lb oms or the 32lb hog will work .

 

[irishsquid]

Forgive my question if I'm overlooking something, I'm still learning and this one is eluding me. Aside from being able to isolate, why AL40 doubles instead of an AL80 single? Thanks!

 

[mangrovejack]

For me the reasons are as follows:

• Consistency, so I'm used to using doubles whether I'm using my Faber 12.2l (HP100) doubles, or in this case my AL40 doubles, always using the same or similar rig (manifold, regs etc) makes things second nature.
• The characteristics of the two cylinders are vastly different in favour of the AL40's IMO. The AL80 single is -1.6lbs full and +2.8lbs at 500psi (which goes up to +4.1lbs empty). The AL40 is -1.5lbs full and +0.7lbs at 500psi (goes to about +1.5lbs empty). Obviously we are comparing doubled AL40's to single AL80, so double the numbers means -3lbs full and +1.4lbs at 500psi for the AL40's. Now add in the manifold, bands and regs (about 5 lbs for mine) and I can get away with using a kydex backplate and no weights when using my wetsuit.
• The twin AL40's also sits closer to the back so is more stable above and below water. The weight is similar between them above water, just slightly heavier is the doubles compared to a single AL80.
• The coolness factor of using tiny doubles :cool2:

I'm sure I've missed some points and some wil probably dispute my advantages to the doubled AL40's.

 

[micklock]

For me the reasons are as follows:

• Consistency, so I'm used to using doubles whether I'm using my Faber 12.2l (HP100) doubles, or in this case my AL40 doubles, always using the same or similar rig (manifold, regs etc) makes things second nature.
• The characteristics of the two cylinders are vastly different in favour of the AL40's IMO. The AL80 single is -1.6lbs full and +2.8lbs at 500psi (which goes up to +4.1lbs empty). The AL40 is -1.5lbs full and +0.7lbs at 500psi (goes to about +1.5lbs empty). Obviously we are comparing doubled AL40's to single AL80, so double the numbers means -3lbs full and +1.4lbs at 500psi for the AL40's. Now add in the manifold, bands and regs (about 5 lbs for mine) and I can get away with using a kydex backplate and no weights when using my wetsuit.
• The twin AL40's also sits closer to the back so is more stable above and below water. The weight is similar between them above water, just slightly heavier is the doubles compared to a single AL80.
• The coolness factor of using tiny doubles :cool2:

I'm sure I've missed some points and some wil probably dispute my advantages to the doubled AL40's.

I do the same thing with my double steel 40's and double hp80's, my reg setup and weights are the same with both sets of tanks.

 

[diver 85]

Forgive my question if I'm overlooking something, I'm still learning and this one is eluding me. Aside from being able to isolate, why AL40 doubles instead of an AL80 single? Thanks!

2 young chicks look better than 1 old big one-----most believe??....