Pony bottle question

[Bearded_fire_worm]

I put together a 19 cu ft. pony bottle that i can clip to by BC . I like the thought of have another redundant complete system ready for use if i should need it or a buddy.
My question is when using it should i open the valve and leave it open before the dive or pressure up the first stage and hoses then close the valve after testing everything works? My thoughts are to leave the valve open so that nothing needs to be done if it needs to be put to use quickly.
Right now i only have an extra mk10 yoke 1st stage for it, but will have a mk17 din that i could put to use.
Anyone see anything wrong with the setup?

 

[rhwestfall]

why the MK-17? a mk-2 makes a wonderful pony regulator......a

anyhow, in regard to your question, it is a common practice for deco regulators to be charged and off until used, but a pony, as it is an emergency air source, to remain on. YMMV.

 

[Basking Ridge Diver]

Turn it on and leave it on
Turn it on and turn it off after it is pressurized
Dont turn it on until you need it

 

[tbone1004]

I'd leave it as is, no reason to change the regulators unless you want to. Personally I would leave it open, but if you are concerned, the better solution would be to put an OPV on the first stage and an inline shutoff at the second stage. That way you can keep the valve on and not have to touch the first stage, but still have it shut off so it doesn't freeflow.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Welcome to the board. The search function sucks, but Google works great for searching prior SB threads. For example:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/advanced-scuba-discussions/507284-diving-pony-bottle-off.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/ba...7-do-you-dive-your-pony-valve-turned-off.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/basic-scuba-discussions/395076-pony-bottle-open-closed.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/tanks-valves-and-bands/147481-pony-dive-valve-open-closed.html

As Basking Ridge alluded to above, there are at least three schools of thought, and like everything else on SB, it seems there is no universally agreed upon way to do it.

 

[MegDiver792]

tbone nailed it. Get an inline shutoff, leave the valve open. My Bailouts are that way as well.

 

[rhwestfall]

what is the bungee/hook in the first stage (apparently securing the second stage)? for an emergency air source, get rid of it....

 

[parzdiver]

I prefer to charge it and turn it off. If there is any kind of leak you don't notice during the dive and you left it on, you could have an empty or low cylinder when you need it. Since it is slung, it is a very simple matter to turn it on.

 

[Bearded_fire_worm]

The little bungee is just keeping the second stage secured so it's not flopping around. I've tried it and it is still easy to pull the reg down and out from the bungee and silicone o-rings that keep the hose close to the cylinder.

 

[Bob DBF]

Off or on depends on how fast you need to use it, in my case it is on 'cause I use my old Sherwood and the dry bleed needs pressure to work when submerged. I can see the whole unit so I would be able to deal with a free flow if I ever had one, I might have to go to a different reg if I was in conditions that were prone to causing free flows.


Bob