what sidemount tanks do you dive with?

[Rollin Bonz]

Vintage fill stations, for the history-loving diver.

Gas powered and on wheels no less...

 

[runsongas]

ONLY use LP tanks if you can get them cave filled. If you choose to dive LP tanks and you aren't getting cave fills, I am sorry but you're a dumba$$. There is truly no polite word for it.

LP45s/LP50s still work well for a small set even without cave fills. there isn't really an equivalent HP tank available.

 

[tbone1004]

LP45s/LP50s still work well for a small set even without cave fills. there isn't really an equivalent HP tank available.

agreed, but I think double tank with LP50's at working pressure is a waste personally. I'd just as soon STSM with 80's unless you are doing tight squeezy stuff

 

[Heka]

I use steel 12L cylinders that are rated to 200 bars. I usually stay within the 200bar, but sometimes when there is a need I'll go up to 220 bar. The tare weight is 12.2kg so they are almost neutral when empty.

They weight 2.2kg / ~5lbs less than AL80 and has a bit greater volume.

And as freedom units
Volume per cylinder is 84 cu.ft. at rated pressure of 2900psi ( 93 cu.ft. when overfilled to 3190psi)
The tare weight is about 27lbs.


PS. I'm rather new to sidemount, had these tanks laying around unused and figured that they would suit this purpose just fine. My dives don't require SM system but i just like to experiment with different things.

 

[Scott]

LP85's for me.
LP80's for the mrs. <I miss diving those cylinders

 

[Manatee Diver]

LP45s/LP50s still work well for a small set even without cave fills. there isn't really an equivalent HP tank available.

I really wish there was a HP version of the LP50s, they would make great rec tanks for me.

 

[RayfromTX]

LP85 @ 3600psi holds 15% more gas than HP100 @3442.
If you can get cave fills (typically ~3800 psi) it does make sense IMHO.

This isn't true. At 3,600 I think you will get around 105 cu ft. They are the virtually the same size internally. <1% difference.

I use LP85s. Sold the HP100s.
I sometimes only fill them to 3,600. Usually a bit north of there. Depends on the dive.

 

[Marie13]

I really wish there was a HP version of the LP50s, they would make great rec tanks for me.

I switched to LP50s for rec diving as I can get overfills and they are lighter for me to handle (stupid bum knees). They are just lovely.

 

[Rollin Bonz]

I switched to LP50s for rec diving as I can get overfills and they are lighter for me to handle (stupid bum knees). They are just lovely.

This seems lovely. I'm a big guy, but I'd love to have this as an option. No overfills at my local quarry sadly.

 

[Marie13]

This seems lovely. I'm a big guy, but I'd love to have this as an option. No overfills at my local quarry sadly.

I’m 5’5” - pics of me diving the 50s show the bottoms are just about at my knees. They definitely fit taller divers.