Pony Bottle Reg.

[ffde31]

What brand regulator (1st/2nd) do most use on a pony setup? Do you include a gauge? How long should the hose be? Any idea where I can read-up on this subject on the web?

[markfm]

I have an Aeris package on my pony, something pretty close to
http://www.unrealfind.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=reg39&Category_Code=regu

I haven't checked, though believe it's a 36" hose.
I do have a pony mini gauge SPG, like shown in the URL.

[Dive-aholic]

I use an old SP regulator. 36 inch hose. No gauge. If I need to start breathing from the pony, the dive's over anyway.

[markfm]

I hear you -- I don't use the gauge actively, it's for pre-dive checks, kitting up, making sure I have a clean fill before going in. Playing with it (practice) at times, it's nice to verify my consumption when I've switched over to it, bechmarking.

[DA Aquamaster]

For a pony, I would not recommend an SPG other than a small button gauge on the first stage. If you have a full fledged SPG on it, it encourages you to delay aborting the dive and aborting the dive is what it is all about if you have to resort to using a pony.

A button gauge is adequate for prev dive checks, is very light weight and low profile and poses no significant snag hazard etc.

I use Scubapro MK 3's on my deco bottles. A simple unbalanced piston design is ideal for pony use as it is as simple as a first stage design can get and is very reliable. A design like a Scubapro MK 2 Plus or Mk 3 or an Aqualung Calypso is more than adequate for use at depths down to 130 ft.

I prefer either an adjustable second stage or a second stage with an adjustable flow vane as they make it easier to prevent unintentional gas loss. Another option is to carry the pony as a stage bottle in which case after entering the water you can turn the valve off until you need it.

Hose lenght depends on your configuration. 40" works great when carrying it like a stage bottle, while a normal 30-36" lenght octo hose usually works well if you are back mounting the pony.

[Meng_Tze]

For a pony, I would not recommend an SPG other than a small button gauge on the first stage. If you have a full fledged SPG on it, it encourages you to delay aborting the dive and aborting the dive is what it is all about if you have to resort to using a pony.


If someone does not have the dicipline to take care of safety first.........they should not be diving? On the other hand I personally like to know where I am at, so a normal spg would only work for me.

[Chad Carney]

Pony tanks are certainly used differently by various divers.

Before the surge of available mixed gases, they were usually just small air only bail-out bottles.

Now they are frequently in use as deco stage cylinders.

The intended purpose makes all the difference in the choices of tank size, placement and regulator configuration. It might pay to get some traing first or at least research it thoroughly.

You might start with this current thread: http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=134397

Chad

[Meng_Tze]

If a smaller tank is used as a deco bottle............then definitely I would want a normal spg on it........and have it big enough so that my buddy can read it too.

[LG Diver]

What brand regulator (1st/2nd) do most use on a pony setup? Do you include a gauge? How long should the hose be? Any idea where I can read-up on this subject on the web?

I use a Zeagle Envoy on my pony bottle, with the button pressure gauge. It's not as cheap as the cheapest regs out there, but it breaths very well, even at depth. When you're OOA at 120' do you really want a reg that breaths like hell but saved you $50? Also, it has the "dive/pre-dive" lever on it, so I can leave it in pre-dive setting and prevent freeflow. Like others have said, hose length depends on how you mount/carry it. I currently mount my 19 cu ft pony upside down on the primary tank with an x-bracket, and the I wear the reg bungeed around my neck, so a 40" hose is perfect for this. Coincidentally, this is also a good length if I want to switch and sling it like a stage bottle.

[ronrosa]

Since I shoot video, I am basically a solo diver. I where a small pony slung. I use a Dacor Viper since there is no up or down position. To keep things compact I have reg and gauge hoses short.

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/data/500/thumbs/pony.jpg (http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=46395)

[Dive-aholic]

ffde asked about a pony, not a deco bottle. On a stage, I use a small face spg on a 6 inch hose. On my O2 bottles, I have a button gauge. On my pony, I check the pressure with a gauge prior to hooking up the 1st stage. I then pressurize the reg and shut the air off. Even with a pre-dive/dive switch, there is a small free flow risk. If you have an OOA event, it doesn't take much to turn the air on. BTW, I sling my extra tanks.

[ffde31]

Great, thanks for the help. Can I take my safe second and attach it to a first stage on a pony bottle? I am assuming that three reg's aren't required.

[daniel f aleman]

Can I take my safe second and attach it to a first stage on a pony bottle? I am assuming that three reg's aren't required.

Don't push it. It's a pony or it isn't. Do it like ronrosa mentioned above.

[markfm]

Same thought as the prior poster. Pony is my bailout gas, I know what my consumption is, what I can do. I have my normal safe second for a standard OOA, though on a longer than normal hose for my own convenience (deployment options).

If someone comes up and does a "polite" OOA sign, they get my normal safe second. If they come up and rip the primary out of my mouth, my normal safe second is still right there, golden triangle.

Pony, as my bailout gas, is there for if I have the OOA, or if someone comes to me OOA and is sucking down my tank fast -- I can watch my console to see how they're doing on my tank, while I know what my time is with me on the pony.

[ffde31]

Makes sense, just didn't want triple redundency if it isn't required, that's all.

[Meng_Tze]

Backgas two regs, all other tanks, pony's, bailout's etc have their own regs.

Thing is that if you have a need for that other gas, espeacially in an emergency.....you want to have it quick, right there. If you have one reg on your backgas and another diver has OOG..... your reg in your mouth gets ripped out... you are left scrappling for the backup on another tank. Or if you have your backgas in mouth... the panicked diver has to wait to get the backup on the other tank....... in those situations you dont want to spend time finding your backup.

Bear in mind that a diver may come from behind you and grab a reg.... you dont alsways see them coming and they will not always give you the OOG sign and will probably grab what is in your mouth..... trust me on that.

[all4scuba05]

and you wonder why some people prefer solo diving during some of their dives

[Meng_Tze]

and you wonder why some people prefer solo diving during some of their dives
I dont wonder..... I understand. But even solo divers could have another diver come up and grab a reg........

[Sting J]

Selection depends on the kind of diving you are doing. I usually use pony bottles on very cold or deep dives. In which case I use high performance balanced regs well suited for cold water. I also prefer DIN valves on my pony regs. When in cold deep places I want my back up reg to be equal or better than my primary. I realize this is not always the popular view. I just think that if my primary regulator fails to deliver the air I need....I want a backup that is a better performer i.e. more freeze proof and harder to over breath. Remember in a bail out you might be under stress and breathing heavier.
Bottom line it depends on the type of diving you are using the pony for. A simple time tested unbalanced reg set up is hard to beat for warm water. This is due to its simple reliability and economical costs. Though for more severe environments high performance is not a bad way to go. The added expense will not look like much if it saves your life some day.
As for guages that is up to preferance. I personally use a compact button style pony guage because I just check air at equipment setup. I am not planning any deco dives...so if there is ennough air in the tank to surface from the depths planned and the tank valve is open, the dive is good to go...
As for number of second stages... For recreational diving I agree with the other posts that say you use two on primary first stage and one on pony set up. The whole idea is extra redundancy.
Just my long but humble opinions, lol.

[rongoodman]

I'm going to get the same reg I have on my main tank, Aqualung Legend, so they'll be matched if I decide to move them onto a set of doubles down the line. If I need another after that, I'd be more inclined to economize. Right now, I'd be most inclined to set it up as a stage/deco bottle, with 40" hose for the reg and standard SPG on a 6" hose. (If the summer goes well, I'm hoping to dive on some of the shallower wrecks off Plymouth in the fall!)

[reeldive]

Thanks all who posted, I read this thread to get some ideas for my own setup. a pony for bailout is my next purchase. I've been divining a Sheerwood Magnum. I just got a great deal on a Sherwood Oasis. From my LDS (less than I paid for the Magnum-- and I got it 25% under MSRP) so the plan for now is to put the Magnum on the new pony bottle.

Next is O2 training and Equipment for my boat. Oh and maybee a 60 cf with two seconds for a hang bottle. Oh and mabee a bigger boat. Oh and-----

[codecruncher]

I just bought a pair of Legends LXs. Identical regs for both seems reasonable - easy to service - I know how they should breathe so I might be able to tell if one is misbehaving, can swap around for spare pieces in a pinch, when the wife dives she gets a great reg, etc. Just seemed easy - and I know they should both perform well at cold and depth.

Originally was going to go for the button SPG, but decided for a 6" hose and a small tusa spg. Figured it was plenty compact for me and liked the idea that it was yet another swappable spare (same as my other rig). And in the event I'm bailing out and things are kinda hairy being able to actually read the thing would actually help calm me down as I ascend.

[Packhorse]

I use a 3L faber (19cf) with Cousteau SEA 1st and Micra adjustable 2nd. My gauge is a button type. I can sling it or have it back mounted.

[Dutchman]

Anyone using the H2Odyssey? 13 cu ft.

[Hoosier]

SP MK2/R190 or MK2/R380 in DIN.... The button gauge works fine with the pony bottle. It is a pony bottle, not deco bottle. Everyone has a different philosopy (someone always mentioned the philosopy stuff, so~~) or eye level.

[MarkUK]

I've got a spun-steel Faber 3-litre pony that I mount on a Lumb Bros clamp, and use an Apeks pony reg with it – nice small first stage with just one low-pressure port (with an ATX40 on it) and one high-pressure port (with a button gauge). Fully sealed, so no worries with cold water, and it isn't as big as having a normal first stage on it with loads of redundant blanked-off ports.

Mark

[Hoosier]

Actually, how about a button gauge for 20ft deco bottle? I am not a trimix level yet. So, please let us have some advanced divers in a trimix level. If the pressure has been checked before the dive and the deco bottle is used for the 20ft stop with 100%, is it a big deal to use a button gauge for 20ft deco bottle?

Thanks in advance,

[fire_diver]

I have an AquaLung (used model, no comments HERE about current AL thread) Calypso with a standard 2nd stage and a SPG on a standard hose. I currently use this reg only on my pony, but I want to have the flexability to use it for other purposes if needed. Such as I get to the dive site and my normal reg isn't working. I can still do an altered dive without a pony, but I can still dive. I also want to be able to use it as a stage/deco bottle when I get that training.

FD

[TheRedHead]

Actually, how about a button gauge for 20ft deco bottle?

I find them awfully hard to see and the downside is that you can't check the pressure after you are in the water unless you remove your deco bottle and hold it close to your face. You can buy a 6 inch hose for small guage. I use the Tusa guage from scubatoys.com.

I'm not a Trimix diver yet, but I am a TDI Decompression Diver. :D

[Hoosier]

I find them awfully hard to see and the downside is that you can't check the pressure after you are in the water unless you remove your deco bottle and hold it close to your face. You can buy a 6 inch hose for small guage. I use the Tusa guage from scubatoys.com.

I'm not a Trimix diver yet, but I am a TDI Decompression Diver. :D

I am using a SPG and 6inch hose for 70ft deco bottle. You are right. It isn't fun to see the button gauge at 70ft, specially in low light and visibility. But, I am thinking, 20ft enviornment won't be bad to read the button gauge unless you have an old eye, except the night dive.

[TheRedHead]

I am using a SPG and 6inch hose for 70ft deco bottle. You are right. It isn't fun to see the button gauge at 70ft, specially in low light and visibility. But, I am thinking, 20ft enviornment won't be bad to read the button gauge unless you have an old eye, except the night dive.

We talked about button gauges vs. hose gauges in class and my instructor made a case for the hose gauge because at 70 feet you can use your EAN50 deco stage as a bailout. If you had to resort to using it as a bailout, you would be in a better position to monitor your air consumption. You've already got a reg strapped to the deco bottle. The guage is not going to be more cumbersome.