I am asking for some intelligent dialogue on this topic for an article I am composing. The question is, "Except for those where size really does really matter, do the cons of HP steel tanks out weigh the pros?" (i.e. small divers do get a great advantage by using short steel HP thanks)
When I got back into diving and buying gear I noticed there was a big push to buy HP 100s and HP 80s. This was great for my wife. She is smaller and needed the compact size of the HP 80. It seems like the message we see from many shops is that, if you are poor you live with an aluminium 80 but if you want the best you buy and HP steel tank.
ONE PRO
The only pro of the HP steel tank over the LP steel tank seems to be the compact size. But for divers who can comfortable dive a tank that is a bit larger, why buy an HP tank? As I have
gained experience and got connected with a dive shop that HP tank pitch sounds more like hype.
LOTS OF CONS
With and HP tank (e.g. 3450 psi) I found that some shops do not even have HP compressors. Even shops that have HP compressors do not really like HP tanks. That last 400 psi create a lot of wear and tear on the compressor and the fill system. If the shop is filling from banks, it means you are going to be boosting to fill the HP tanks which wastes a lot of extra air to run the booster and attain a fill pressure. Many shops in our are will just not give you a full fill (after cooling) or want you to leave it over night if you want a full fill. Theoretically the higher presser is going to put more strain on you regulator and hp hoses. Some older yokes are not even certified to be used on HP tanks.
I keep thinking why did I get talked into this HP tank. If I had an LP 85 (2400 psi), I could fill from the banks in minutes and never have to boost. I could always get full fills wherever I travel.
What are you thoughts?
Thank you,
John
When I got back into diving and buying gear I noticed there was a big push to buy HP 100s and HP 80s. This was great for my wife. She is smaller and needed the compact size of the HP 80. It seems like the message we see from many shops is that, if you are poor you live with an aluminium 80 but if you want the best you buy and HP steel tank.
ONE PRO
The only pro of the HP steel tank over the LP steel tank seems to be the compact size. But for divers who can comfortable dive a tank that is a bit larger, why buy an HP tank? As I have
gained experience and got connected with a dive shop that HP tank pitch sounds more like hype.
LOTS OF CONS
With and HP tank (e.g. 3450 psi) I found that some shops do not even have HP compressors. Even shops that have HP compressors do not really like HP tanks. That last 400 psi create a lot of wear and tear on the compressor and the fill system. If the shop is filling from banks, it means you are going to be boosting to fill the HP tanks which wastes a lot of extra air to run the booster and attain a fill pressure. Many shops in our are will just not give you a full fill (after cooling) or want you to leave it over night if you want a full fill. Theoretically the higher presser is going to put more strain on you regulator and hp hoses. Some older yokes are not even certified to be used on HP tanks.
I keep thinking why did I get talked into this HP tank. If I had an LP 85 (2400 psi), I could fill from the banks in minutes and never have to boost. I could always get full fills wherever I travel.
What are you thoughts?
Thank you,
John