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That looks like a nice little setup. Whatcha gonna do with it?
My single 72s have ½” CGA and are a PITA to oxygen clean for Nitrox PP mixing. I figured I would set up a rig for Nitrox that also supported progressive equalization. The valve protector for wearing valve-down is in progress. I will let you know if this new experiment works worth spit. Besides, I needed a redundant supply system to keep the solo police off my six.
I built my first set of doubles for no other reason that I wanted a set of doubles 'cause they look cool! I'm not into tech diving or even deep diving. I just always thought that a double hose reg perched on top of double tanks (a la Mike Nelson) was classy. However, I quickly learned that double steel 72s are heavy to haul around on land and not really practical for shallow diving (less than 80') regardless of how cool they make you look. So, I bought the AL 53s to make up a set of light little doubles so that cool meets practical. Sure, I could've had about the same amount of gas with an AL 100 but, let's face it, just how cool would that be?
As for the solo police, I've never paid them any mind. If I wanna dive solo, then I dive solo.
....//.....However, I quickly learned that double steel 72s are heavy to haul around on land and not really practical for shallow diving (less than 80') regardless of how cool they make you look. ....//.....
I go with the idea that lead on your WB could be gas on on your back. I need +10# with my 72's in a drysuit (with my best thermals). However, a 72 twinset is wicked with my Aqualung wetsuit..
Doesn't get much better. Set of Catalina Twin 45s with harness. Reg is at its optimum position with 90 cu ft of gas in perfectly balanced and comfortable cylinders.
Doesn't get much better. Set of Catalina Twin 45s with harness. Reg is at its optimum position with 90 cu ft of gas in perfectly balanced and comfortable cylinders.
Since we're doing show and tell here's something I've been working on.
An original set of 1942 and 1943 oxygen cylinders 38's or 40's?
I sand blasted the tanks and then got them hydroed. I stripped the bands and repainted them.
The harness is original 1" nylon and still in good enough shape to use.
I cleaned up the manifold the best I could and replaced the burst discs with modern ones.
When I got the set it had 800 PSI in it and the insides were pristine.
This set came out of Dive 'n' Surf in Redondo Beach, CA. That's the Meistral Bros. (Body Glove) shop who provided all the wetsuits and gear for the Sea Hunt show.
They're all ready to go. All I need is a fill and I'm getting them wet.
…As for the solo police, I've never paid them any mind. If I wanna dive solo, then I dive solo.
I got a solo card mainly to let charter boat skippers off the hook liability-wise, but part of the deal is a redundant air source. It works out OK since I like progressive equalization anyway.
I did build a set of twin LP-45s with a very narrow custom manifold if anyone is interested. They support progressive equalization but only one regulator so don’t meet the redundant air criteria: Custom Manifolds
I use these off the beach and on private boats. I built the first set for a friend who had an unusual requirement for a surface supplied bailout. I liked them so much I made a set for myself. He didn’t need the valve protector though.