independant 12s vs Manifolded..

[DanTam1]

Guys/Gals

In order to make the conversion from singles to twins, I opted to bung both cylinders together using some nice shiny stainless-steels bands and have myself a set of independant twins... I've used them happily for nearly a year and an now wondering if having two right hand valves is really the right way to go, based on doing drills in Wraysbury.

Righto... what's the best approach... Is it worth binning the existing two cylinders and getting a nice shiny twin set with slob know and manifold without M26 valves if possible or convert my existing twins (baring in mind they'll need an o2 clean in October).

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

dan

[wreckferret]

I have a twin set with both rht hand knobs - never had a problem. I have dived with Indies for 15 years + , perfect for me.
This is my personal view.

[warmwaterdiver]

to run indi's properly you really need handed valves

whether or not you fit an isolator and join them up, is up to you!

make sure if you do, to get an isolater with the correct centre dimensions to suit your existing bands

various options:
a) buy one handed valve
b) buy a pair of handed valves
c) buy a pair of handed valves and an isolater (and maybe a set of bands)
d) sell existing and buy a ready made set

[mala]

you could change 1 of the pilar valves to a lefty in october if you want to stay with indies like my bud.
me i can't be arsed .
as for manifold it's up to you.
i like the flexibility of the indies but there are pro's and cons to both.
there is a thread somewhere......

[MonkeyPony]

Originally Posted by DanTam1

Guys/Gals

In order to make the conversion from singles to twins, I opted to bung both cylinders together using some nice shiny stainless-steels bands and have myself a set of independant twins... I've used them happily for nearly a year and an now wondering if having two right hand valves is really the right way to go, based on doing drills in Wraysbury.

Righto... what's the best approach... Is it worth binning the existing two cylinders and getting a nice shiny twin set with slob know and manifold without M26 valves if possible or convert my existing twins (baring in mind they'll need an o2 clean in October).

Advice would be greatly appreciated.

dan

Surely the point of indies is that you dont need to do valve drills? If you're happy in independants then why have the cost of changing for no realy gain? Just get one left handed valve.

[tom]

Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver

to run indi's properly you really need handed valves

Why do you say that Gary? I agree that it might be more convenient, but since one of the assumptions of diving indies is that you're willing to lose one cylinder, the ability to shut down seems much less important IMHO.

Dan: if you want to stick with indies, then I'd ditch the stainless bands and use cambands instead- that gives you much more flexibility to swap cylinders in and out (like Andy's rig).

The indy / manifold decision really depends on how you want to dive and what your priorities are. Only you can make that call!

[TerryH]

Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver

to run indi's properly you really need handed valves

Poo

The whole point of indies is that you dont need to waste all that time
training to do shutdowns in quarries. Instead you can be out there actually
diving

So why on earth would I want to change it round just so that I can start
doing what the manifold boys do?

If i'm not going deep enough to worry about saving gas, then I dont need
to shutdown.

If i'm going that deep that I MUST save gas, then I shouldnt be on indies
anyway.

Oh and BTW, I have nice neat straight hose routings.
I dont have any the problem with roll-off


.

[warmwaterdiver]

correct, but if you can shutdown, then it'll always give you the chance of more gas, and more gas is ALWAYS good, or do you disagree

and you don't need to practice as much as the internet talk suggests

by the OP mentioning slobknobs, has already suggested that they cannot reach the central area, exactly where one valve would be

Terry, you're talking about your diving, not the OP's though

[tom]

Originally Posted by warmwaterdiver

correct, but if you can shutdown, then it'll always give you the chance of more gas,

assuming, of course, that the problem is a temporary one and you can reopen the valve later.

and more gas is ALWAYS good

of course

[liamm]

If you search about Mark Powell wrote an article which set out why its a good idea to be able to shut down indies.
As i recall he mentions difficulties with disorientation, buoyancy and general panic - imagine trying to manage an ascent while one reg goes mental freeflowing or a hose bursts.

Look at the price the cylinders will get on ebay and then look at the cost of two new cylinders with o2 clean and handed valves, the cost to change mightnt be that bad. Alternatively keep both right handed and buy one left handed - that way you can always swop in the spare right cylinder for a second dive.

The best advice that i didnt get untill too late was to go to a twinset familiarisation course and look at and try a few options.