Building a Pony

[NW Dive Dawg]

Hey @Litefoot... best of luck with the new set-up. I think you're on the right track and have the right mind-set for both implementation and potential evolution of your system! The sidewinders definitely have a good argument that I fully respect.... right up to the point where I literally have my tits inches from the deck shooting macro.

For a back-mount bracket, I use the same system "Quickdraw" that @Boarderguy uses.....and can assure you that it literally adds only about 30 seconds to a primary tank swap since NOTHING is attached to the primary tank.

If you go this route, then a "tip" I'll add is that when you insert the "pins" to secure the system, you should route the sheathed pin cable underneath the bracket rather than over the top. This eliminates the possibility of that cable "loop" getting hooked on something and inadvertently pulling a pin. The first pic of my pony installed and locked in place shows this.

PS..... On a side note....someone should invent a reg mouthpiece with imbedded "flavor" that tastes like sour lemon or "bitters" as soon as inserted into the "cake hole"...... so old dumb asses like me can actually get older! But I think we all agree that double checks and triple checks are way better than any "gimmicks"!

 

[SlugLife]

I'd suggest simply starting with whatever spare regulators you have which would work at 45f. There's no need to go with anything fancy or spend a lot of money. In theory, you only really use those regs in an emergency, so as long as it delivers air when you need it.

 

[Pressurehead]

Mk2 EVO and S600.
Old photo as the main fist stage is a DIN now.
pony for dives < 18m

 

[SlugLife]

Thanks. I thought about that and if I were solo diving. I would consider that. But my experience level dictates buddy diving for a while and therefore keeping the octo.

I guess my motivation for the pony is the dark/low viz of the lake where I dive in which I can lose contact with my buddy in the blink of an eye. Edit: Not solo diving, but being prepared to if I need to.

Make sure you can easily distinguish between the 3 different regulators. Perhaps using a different color of hose or regulator, feel (shape), or location of each regulator.

When dealing with 3 (or more) regulators, there's a much grater chance of "regulator confusion", perhaps breathing off an air-source other than the one you intended.

 

[johndiver999]

I’ve read a lot here and I’m leaning toward an inverted 19cf bottle on a back mount using a Shark or Quick Draw. Back mount because I’m pretty new and not ready to task manage a slung bottle.

My advice: Take pony bottle advice from people who use them. Your comment about task loading and back mounting upside down, is 180 degrees from my thinking. If you want a simple system, then back mount, with tank right side up and valve on and no pressure gauge that you can read while diving. Upside down mounting is definitely more task loading, and if you screw up, you will have it off when you need it and fumble on the one yard line. I'm not saying don't mount it upside down, but realize that it is more task loading.

To be honest, slinging the bottle is very little task loading, but it may get in your way sometimes. It is the safest configuration, I don't think anyone can argue against that.

I would avoid taking three second stages, because of the potential for confusion, freeflows, entanglement etc., if you are back mounting. IF you are going to take 3 second stages, I think you should be able to lay out a logical case as to what scenarios that configuration would be advantageous. I can't really think of many that are even remotely likely. Basically, if you need to share air with a buddy, you donate your primary and use your pony to ascend, simple as can be - no need for an octopus.

I have been using mk-2 second stages on pony bottles for a while, that is a great choice.

Lastly, if you are going to back mount the pony and not carry a pressure gage that you can read underwater, then you should probably wear the pony second stage on a necklace. One big reason is that it is almost impossible not to notice a freeflow (or significant leak) if it is bubbling under your neck. If you have the pony second stage clipped off somewhere else, you may not so easily notice a freeflow or leak. When your main tank leaks or freeflows, you always have a pressure gage to check, most people don't have that option on a back mounted pony.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

A 19cf will be negative, and it's probably not enough gas to bailout from 100 feet. A 40cf is the ideal size and you won't notice it in the water. Your pony will also loose gas over time pretty quickly. The 19cf at 3000psi is down to 2000psi pretty soon...

Curious - how long does it take to get up from 100 ft? I figure in non-OH rec mode (non-entangled) 130 ft at a standard ascent rate of 60 fpm is two minutes and ten seconds from the open atmosphere and all the air it offers. Could probably dawdle at 15 for a few even. A 19 is a 25% reserve over a standard AL 77.4 cu ft bottle.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

OK - if we're doing pony porn again ..... Slinging, intuitively, is a mucho mac simpler option.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

PS..... On a side note....someone should invent a reg mouthpiece with imbedded "flavor" that tastes like sour lemon or "bitters" as soon as inserted into the "cake hole"...... so old dumb asses like me can actually get older! But I think we all agree that double checks and triple checks are way better than any "gimmicks"!

Flavored? Bitters? Aw man! Some bourbon, cherries, syrup, orange twist ... Just sayin...

 

[James79]

To the OPs point about vintage gear on a pony, when I use one it's an AL19 with Conshelf VI slung l.

Respectfully,

James

 

[Litefoot]

@rhwestfall Thank you for the links to the MK2 in the Classifieds. I saw them earlier but didn’t associate them with pony use.

@NW Dive Dawg I appreciate the encouragement. Good tip on the QuickDraw. They look like as good an option as any, but they seem pricey to me (says the guy that just bought a dry suit).

@Pressurehead Nice pic of your kit! To me, it seems that, if you back mount the pony, then inverting it (like yours) gives you the best angle to your pony valve. Others disagree. Is that the Shark mount?

@SlugLife @johndiver999 You make compelling arguments for limiting the number of seconds to prevent confusion. Makes perfect sense to me. Maybe I’ll plan on using the two D6 Signatures and change the primary donate hose to yellow and leave the necklaced pony hose black to further help prevent confusion. Great tip on having the pony on a necklace to monitor for leaks/freeflow!

Hopefully I can get the dive shop in SLC to demonstrate some examples of back mount and side sling pony bottles when I do the dry suit class in the Spring. My buddy dives doubles and no one else around here uses pony’s. So seeing each configuration up close and in use will help.

Edit: @-JD- makes a great point about recovering a pony reg knocked out of your mouth? Is that going to be difficult with an inverted back mount pony dangling so low?

Again, thanks for letting me lean on you guys. I appreciate each one of you. And thanks especially for not turning this into a pony vs doubles thread.