Yoke or DIN?

[RXTdiver]

In the online PADI Open Water Dive Course, under the section on regulators, when talking about a Yoke system vs. a DIN system, it says this:

"A common option is to choose a DIN regulator with a yoke adapter, useable on either type valve."​

Then under the cylinder section it says this:

"you can get a DIN valve that accepts a yoke insert, which takes either type of regulator."​

This is a bit confusing to me because they seem to be using the words regulator and valve and then valve and regulator interchangeably (notice the color coding of the words). From my understanding a regulator is not a valve and the valve does not belong to a regulator (the valve is a part of the cylinder).

1. Between the two statements above, do they mean DIN regulator or DIN valve?
2. When they say "useable on either type ______" or "which takes either type of_____," do they mean valve or regulator?

 

[Dan G]

Above is a DIN valve. Use a DIN reg for this. Below is an insert that turns it into a yoke valve for use with a yoke reg.

Statement #2 fill in the blanks is "valve" and "regulator."

It works both ways: have a DIN reg and a yoke adapter for the reg for either type of valve, or a DIN valve with a yoke insert for use with either type of reg

 

[agilis]

There are yoke valves, DIN valves, and hybrid valves that are easily convertible to either one. Regulators are either DIN or yoke, but adapters are available to convert.

 

[Rob9876]

 

[Angelo Farina]

Regulators are either DIN or yoke, but adapters are available to convert.

Adapters are easily available for mounting a DIN regulator on an old yoke-only valve.
The opposite is not so common: on a Din 300 bar valve (which is not hybrid, it is DIN only) you can fit a Yoke adaptor, but that is a "filling" adaptor, not designed for mounting a regulator.
However 300-bars tanks are only available here in Europe. And here almost all regultors are DIN.
In conclusion:
If you buy a tank, get it with the hybrid DIN/yoke valve posted above.
If you buy a reg you have two options:
1) buy a DIN reg and the inexpensive DIN ro Yoke adaptor
2) buy a Yoke reg and the inexpensive DIN conversion kit.
In second case you need a bit of mechanical capabilities for removing the yoke and installing the DIN kit, when needed. But it takes less than one minute if you have the proper tools....

 

[BoltSnap]

2) buy a Yoke reg and the inexpensive DIN conversion kit.
In second case you need a bit of mechanical capabilities for removing the yoke and installing the DIN kit, when needed. But it takes less than one minute if you have the proper tools....

I am not too crazy about switching between Yoke and DIN connector kit on regular basis.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

High pressure DIN valves are a couple threads deeper and can't use the donut adapter (purposefully designed that way - they are also too thick for a yoke to go over.)

Hybrid "Pro" valves are a low pressure DIN with the screw in donut adapter (I understand there were older LP DIN valves with different casting forms with sloping shoulders, that, while you could install the donut, the castings made it impossible to fit a yoke over the head so you could clamp it. I think those may have been older design San-o-Sub/Blue Steel valves. The S-o-S/Blue Steel Pro valves now on the market work fine.)

Yoke valves can only use a yoke interface. There are adapters everywhere that are basically yokes that the DIN regulator would screw into the back of. Easy but clunky.

I am in the process of converting most all my regs to DIN. Those not converted may likely go down the road to new homes. Or just languish in my garage.

 

[Belzelbub]

Understandable how it can be confusing. Especially for a new diver. But, they are using the terms correctly.

For the most part, you can get two types of regulator connections. (There is an additional type for EU, but it's not real common.)
You can get a yoke or DIN. For the tank valves (with the same EU exception) you can get three types: Dedicated yoke, Dedicated DIN, or Convertible.

If you purchase a regulator with a DIN connection, you can get an adapter that screws onto the DIN threads allowing to use with a yoke tank valve. If you purchase a regulator with a yoke connection, there is no adapter. As Angelo mentioned, you can convert the reg to DIN, but now it's a DIN regulator. There is no tool-less adapter to use a yoke reg with a DIN valve.

A bit on the valves. A dedicated yoke valve is just that. Only able to be used with a yoke regulator (or DIN with yoke adapter). There is a dimple on the back of the valve, and an air hole and o-ring on the front. A dedicated DIN valve can only be used with a DIN regulator. There is no dimple on the back, and there are 7 threads on the front of the valve. No o-ring on the tank valve. A hybrid or convertible valve is what is posted in the picture a few posts up. It has a dimple on the back, 5 threads on the front, and could contain the insert or donut posted above. The insert is removed for DIN and placed in the valve for yoke. The insert has o-rings on both sides to seal to the tank valve and against the yoke surface.

 

[RXTdiver]

View attachment 794525
Above is a DIN valve. Use a DIN reg for this. Below is an insert that turns it into a yoke valve for use with a yoke reg.
View attachment 794526
Statement #2 fill in the blanks is "valve" and "regulator."

It works both ways: have a DIN reg and a yoke adapter for the reg for either type of valve, or a DIN valve with a yoke insert for use with either type of reg

Is an insert and an adapter the same thing or are they two different things?

 

[Angelo Farina]

Is an insert and an adapter the same thing or are they two different things?

Two entirely different things!
The insert is a short cylinder with an hex hole in the middle, which is screwed into the hole of a dual-purpose tank valve, making it usable with a traditional yoke reg..
The adapter is a joke with a short cylinder attached, featuring the screw for accepting a DIN regulator.
Here the DIN insert:

And here a DIN adaptor: