argon bottles

[west coast diver]

Hi,

I am currently thinking of getting an argon bottle in anticipation of a full fat tri-mix course later in the year but have some questions regarding placement bottle size e.t.c.


Firstly, I would like to mount this on the backplate of my cd tdb wing, is a 1.5 bottle too large for this or would I be better off with a 0.85 bottle ?
(I'de prefer not to mount this cylinder on my twinsets in order to keep clipping/unclipping stages as tangle free as possible)

How many dives could I expect to get from either of these bottles before I need to fill them again or is it a one shot deal?

Next, does anyone have any advice on the type of valve on the cylinder?
I am leaning towards a top handle valve, to my mind this would be more streamlined and easier to reach.

obviously my standard suit inflation hose from my twinset is going to be way too long if my argon bottle is going to be about 6 inches from my suit inflation nipple (ooerr) so does anyone have any idea what length of hose I should be looking at?


Is there a specific requirement for an argon suit inflator first stage or can I press into use my old sp mk14 thats been kicking around the bottom of my dive bag for years (assuming I fit an overpressure valve of course)


Finally I need a means of fixing the bottle to my backplate, I have seen small halcyon straps that look quite neat, anyone have any good/bad experiences with them.


Sorry it's a lot of questions in one message but I dont want to make an expensive mistake and have to buy this stuff twice.

Thanks in advance


W.C.D.

P.S.

If anyone has all the above for sale feel free to pm me :>)

Cheers

[RubberD]

I bought a .85 Halcyon complete set up for around £165 IIRC.
Mounted on the back plate you don't notice it's there.
Easily does a 60mt dive with at least 90bar left in it. You have to fill your back gas after this type of dive so it's no trouble filling the suit bottle each dive.
It works very well and you get everything you need.
And no, I don't normally shout Halcyon for everything.

[The Duck]

Firstly, I would like to mount this on the backplate of my cd tdb wing, is a 1.5 bottle too large for this or would I be better off with a 0.85 bottle ?
(I'de prefer not to mount this cylinder on my twinsets in order to keep clipping/unclipping stages as tangle free as possible)

Depends on personal preference build and body shape - some people find that a 1.5ltr is too big and gets in the way. Others (like myself) find no problem at all with a 1.5ltr on the backplate. The 232bar steel 1ltr is also a popular choice that has more gas than the 0.85 but much slimmer than the 1.5ltr.

How many dives could I expect to get from either of these bottles before I need to fill them again or is it a one shot deal?

Depends on how deep (and hence how much gas you need in the suit). I got six and a bit shallow dives out of my 1.5ltr last week - and it wasn't full to start with.

Next, does anyone have any advice on the type of valve on the cylinder?
I am leaning towards a top handle valve, to my mind this would be more streamlined and easier to reach.

Whichever one it comes with - mine is side handle and is easy enough to reach.

obviously my standard suit inflation hose from my twinset is going to be way too long if my argon bottle is going to be about 6 inches from my suit inflation nipple (ooerr) so does anyone have any idea what length of hose I should be looking at?

22" works fine for me.

Is there a specific requirement for an argon suit inflator first stage or can I press into use my old sp mk14 thats been kicking around the bottom of my dive bag for years (assuming I fit an overpressure valve of course)

Normal 1st stages will work fine. However the little ones like the one Niknaks sell (Argon Suit Inflation 1st stage, Argon parts at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear) are much smaller and compact and thus make a neater set up - nice to have but not vital. OPV is a must IMO

Finally I need a means of fixing the bottle to my backplate, I have seen small halcyon straps that look quite neat, anyone have any good/bad experiences with them.

Not used them but a lot of people seem to have them and looks like they work fine. However I use a bit of bungie and some webbing with eyelets in it that cost a lot less and works just as good.

Hope this helps.

[stevechesh]

Paul,

Quick question re the amount of dives you get out of one. Do you use your suit for bouyancy or the wing?

Steve

[The Duck]

Paul,

Quick question re the amount of dives you get out of one. Do you use your suit for bouyancy or the wing?

Steve

Wing

[west coast diver]

Thanks,

was your halcyon a top- handle valve? if so was it easy to reach?

Was that price brand new from a halcyon dealer inc first stage and op valve?

W.C.D.

I bought a .85 Halcyon complete set up for around £165 IIRC.
Mounted on the back plate you don't notice it's there.
Easily does a 60mt dive with at least 90bar left in it. You have to fill your back gas after this type of dive so it's no trouble filling the suit bottle each dive.
It works very well and you get everything you need.
And no, I don't normally shout Halcyon for everything.

[west coast diver]

Good man,

Thanks for your thoughts, I now feel I can narrow my search down to a 1 ltr cylinder.
like you say, I would like just a little bit more gas than a .85 but the 1.5 does look a bit bulky.

I am largely pretty inflexible (think of a diver wearing a full suit of armour) so I think I would also prefer the top handle valve to make things as easy as possible.

Any ideas where I could obtain one?


I did see the argon first stage and op valve on the niknaks site, they do look very streamlied and not that expensive so am happy to go with that also.

£40 however, for a bit of poxy webbing to tank mount it is ridiculous though, I'm sure I could cobble together something from an old cam band/piece of bungy.

Thanks again

Depends on personal preference build and body shape - some people find that a 1.5ltr is too big and gets in the way. Others (like myself) find no problem at all with a 1.5ltr on the backplate. The 232bar steel 1ltr is also a popular choice that has more gas than the 0.85 but much slimmer than the 1.5ltr.



Depends on how deep (and hence how much gas you need in the suit). I got six and a bit shallow dives out of my 1.5ltr last week - and it wasn't full to start with.



Whichever one it comes with - mine is side handle and is easy enough to reach.



22" works fine for me.



Normal 1st stages will work fine. However the little ones like the one Niknaks sell (Argon Suit Inflation 1st stage, Argon parts at divingniknaks 0121 707 5783. Frog, Dirzone, Agir Brokk Scuba Diving Gear) are much smaller and compact and thus make a neater set up - nice to have but not vital. OPV is a must IMO



Not used them but a lot of people seem to have them and looks like they work fine. However I use a bit of bungie and some webbing with eyelets in it that cost a lot less and works just as good.

Hope this helps.

[RubberD]

Thanks,

was your halcyon a top- handle valve? if so was it easy to reach?

Was that price brand new from a halcyon dealer inc first stage and op valve?

W.C.D.

Top mount. The bottle is mounted upside down placing the reg near your arse and easily reached if you forget to turn it on.

Got mine from Divelife £185 now though.

I can't see a need for a bigger bottle. I Fill mine with a decanting whip after each dive only takes a few seconds.

Halcyon 0.85lt Aluminium Suit Inflation System by Halcyon

[RubberD]

Halcyon 1lt Steel Suit Inflation System by Halcyon

Steel one. Bit more expensive though.
Straps are expensive on their own but they do stick like shit to a blanket.

[gwilson]

Check your PM's