Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's

Jordan · 4th June 2007, 19:40

Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines???

I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit.

Cheers

diverreb · 5th June 2007, 03:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan)

Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines???

I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit.

Cheers

Are they older tanks? All I see around are the 19's... Are they too tall? I assume there is about a 3 or so pound difference in buoyancy from full to empty for both tanks....

Richie

***jradomski*** · 5th June 2007, 03:10

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb)

Are they older tanks? All I see around are the 19's... Are they too tall? I assume there is about a 3 or so pound difference in buoyancy from full to empty for both tanks....

Richie

Nope they just beacme available.. I don;t have the specs on them yet..

Jordan · 5th June 2007, 13:07

20 cu ft / 566 liter

3000 psi /207 bar

9.2 lbs / 4.17 kg

at 3000 psi -1.4 lbs / -.6 kg
at 500 psi -.3 lbs / -.1 kg
at 0 psi 0.0 lbs / 0.0 kg

height is 13.8 inch or 351 mm

I don't think these are new, Zeagle has been selling a very limited amount with their snorkeling vest thing. I believe they were about to be phased out

JS1scuba · 5th June 2007, 13:42

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan)

Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines???

I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit.

Cheers

I have some Luxfer 19s They are .5 lbs lighter than my Faber 19s. for shits and giggles I put one on my KISS on the Dil side and left the Faber on the right side .... NO noticble difference. The only upside is the flat bottom so they can stand up.

Catalina 19 is 7.8 lbs full with a simple K valve.
Luxfer 19 is 8.09 lbs full with a simple K valve
Faber L19 is 7.5 lbs full with a simple K valve
Faber FX23 is 8.6lbs full with a pro-valve.

so in essence these are all the same and can be interchanged so long as they fit in the box.

The Worthington 19 is a bit dumpy and is 11.5lbs with a valve.

Cheers

JDS

aquaturis · 5th June 2007, 15:42

The 20's are nice tanks and don't feel much bigger than the 13's. I think that the 20's are a great alternative for the 13. Catalina makes a great tank. The neck is short and beefy. The in water characteristics are optimal. The tanks will go from negative to neutral.

I commisioned Catalina to create this special size tank for the Rapid Diver system that I developed/invented Here is link if you are interested: Rapid Diver Compact Scuba Systems

We have sold hundreds of these tanks over the past couple of years. Besides being used on the Rapids, the 20's are a being used as bail out for OC. I haven't heard of anyone getting one for their rebreather. I have some friends with Optima's and KISS rebreathers. I will get one of them to rig it up with the 20 to get some input.

We have the Aluminum 20 Cu Ft tanks in stock and are available directly at: Accessories for the Rapid Diver Scuba System

Colors:
Gloss Black
Bare brushed finish (silver)

There is a 20 under the Rapid Diver Rebreather in the picture on the left.

If you are interested in trying out the 20 cu ft tanks, I have some at my dive operation at Weeki Wachee Springs http://www.diveweekiwachee.com/

RAL · 5th June 2007, 17:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan)

Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines???

I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit.

Cheers

If you want to reduce the weight of the unit but need more gas than the 13s provide why not use the luxfer 27s? They are pretty close in the specs except they are 4" longer than the 13s & at 5.3" dia they are almost the same dia as the al 20 @ 5.25". The optima uses some pretty big steel tanks out of the box so if the al 27s fit they would give you way more gas than the 13s or 20s, at only a 4lb increase in the dry weight of the unit over the al 13s.

Ral

Jordan · 5th June 2007, 19:36

I am just looking into things here...I like the idea of the more gas, that's for sure....I don't like the 18" height though --I think the longest I want my Optima to be is as long as it is with the St27's in it, which are 14.75" long. I think the extra 3.5" would just be too much for me (I'm 6'0" tall, if I were 6'4" I might think otherwise).

Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL)

If you want to reduce the weight of the unit but need more gas than the 13s provide why not use the luxfer 27s? They are pretty close in the specs except they are 4" longer than the 13s & at 5.3" dia they are almost the same dia as the al 20 @ 5.25". The optima uses some pretty big steel tanks out of the box so if the al 27s fit they would give you way more gas than the 13s or 20s, at only a 4lb increase in the dry weight of the unit over the al 13s.

Ral

RAL · 5th June 2007, 21:41

Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan)

I am just looking into things here...I like the idea of the more gas, that's for sure....I don't like the 18" height though --I think the longest I want my Optima to be is as long as it is with the St27's in it, which are 14.75" long. I think the extra 3.5" would just be too much for me (I'm 6'0" tall, if I were 6'4" I might think otherwise).

Just thought it might be an option if it would fit in the frame, the bouyancy & weight looked like it might be a good option. Those 27 steels looked huge to me. They are the biggest tanks I have seen on any rebreather other than the Klingon warship.
I see dive rite express is already offering the Cat 20s as an option for the Optima so it may be a good choice?

Ral

***jradomski*** · 5th June 2007, 23:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL)

Just thought it might be an option if it would fit in the frame, the bouyancy & weight looked like it might be a good option. Those 27 steels looked huge to me. They are the biggest tanks I have seen on any rebreather other than the Klingon warship.
I see dive rite express is already offering the Cat 20s as an option for the Optima so it may be a good choice?

Ral

There are times when larger ONBOARD cylinders are warranted.. WHen I am doing some really big dives I use 7.5l lp steels that I'll bump up to 200bar or so.. A small 2l or 3l cylinder does not have enough gas to cover the loop if flushes are needed and the wing.. (in a DS I also use independent inflation)

a 150m dive can easily take up more than 1/3 the cylinder just making up the initial loop volume.. add this your wing and you may not have much to spare...

With the larger onboard cylinders the sling tanks are really for emergency use, not required gas for the dive...

4th June 2007, 19:40	#1 (permalink)
Jordan Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Florida Posts: 219	Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines??? I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit. Cheers __________________ Is it clear? No. Well, let's go anyways. "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little order, will lose both, and deserve neither." Thomas Jefferson
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5th June 2007, 03:07	#2 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 517	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan) Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines??? I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit. Cheers Are they older tanks? All I see around are the 19's... Are they too tall? I assume there is about a 3 or so pound difference in buoyancy from full to empty for both tanks.... Richie
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5th June 2007, 03:10	#3 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,817	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb) Are they older tanks? All I see around are the 19's... Are they too tall? I assume there is about a 3 or so pound difference in buoyancy from full to empty for both tanks.... Richie Nope they just beacme available.. I don;t have the specs on them yet.. __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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5th June 2007, 13:07	#4 (permalink)
Jordan Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Florida Posts: 219	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's 20 cu ft / 566 liter 3000 psi /207 bar 9.2 lbs / 4.17 kg at 3000 psi -1.4 lbs / -.6 kg at 500 psi -.3 lbs / -.1 kg at 0 psi 0.0 lbs / 0.0 kg height is 13.8 inch or 351 mm I don't think these are new, Zeagle has been selling a very limited amount with their snorkeling vest thing. I believe they were about to be phased out __________________ Is it clear? No. Well, let's go anyways. "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little order, will lose both, and deserve neither." Thomas Jefferson Last edited by Jordan : 5th June 2007 at 13:14.
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5th June 2007, 13:42	#5 (permalink)
JS1scuba RebreatherWorld Sponsor Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss MK 15.X Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ - USA Posts: 417	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan) Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines??? I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit. Cheers I have some Luxfer 19s They are .5 lbs lighter than my Faber 19s. for shits and giggles I put one on my KISS on the Dil side and left the Faber on the right side .... NO noticble difference. The only upside is the flat bottom so they can stand up. Catalina 19 is 7.8 lbs full with a simple K valve. Luxfer 19 is 8.09 lbs full with a simple K valve Faber L19 is 7.5 lbs full with a simple K valve Faber FX23 is 8.6lbs full with a pro-valve. so in essence these are all the same and can be interchanged so long as they fit in the box. The Worthington 19 is a bit dumpy and is 11.5lbs with a valve. Cheers JDS __________________ Joel Silverstein, VP COO Tech Diving Limited a Division of Scuba Training and Technology Inc. http://www.nautilusdiveplanner.com FREE NAUTILUS DIVE PLANNER DEMO - REGISTER HERE KISS # 275
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5th June 2007, 15:42	#6 (permalink)
aquaturis Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Other SCR Other Rebreather/s: Other SCR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 11	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's The 20's are nice tanks and don't feel much bigger than the 13's. I think that the 20's are a great alternative for the 13. Catalina makes a great tank. The neck is short and beefy. The in water characteristics are optimal. The tanks will go from negative to neutral. I commisioned Catalina to create this special size tank for the Rapid Diver system that I developed/invented Here is link if you are interested: Rapid Diver Compact Scuba Systems We have sold hundreds of these tanks over the past couple of years. Besides being used on the Rapids, the 20's are a being used as bail out for OC. I haven't heard of anyone getting one for their rebreather. I have some friends with Optima's and KISS rebreathers. I will get one of them to rig it up with the 20 to get some input. We have the Aluminum 20 Cu Ft tanks in stock and are available directly at: Accessories for the Rapid Diver Scuba System Colors: Gloss Black Bare brushed finish (silver) There is a 20 under the Rapid Diver Rebreather in the picture on the left. If you are interested in trying out the 20 cu ft tanks, I have some at my dive operation at Weeki Wachee Springs http://www.diveweekiwachee.com/ __________________ www.rapidiver.com Authorized ZEAGLE Dealer
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5th June 2007, 17:36	#7 (permalink)
RAL Longbottom Time Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 374	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan) Any of y'all ever try the Catalina AL 20's in their breathy-machines??? I ask because I really like the ass-light effects of AL tanks but want more gas than the 13's provide. These 20's look stumpy so I think they'll fit. Cheers If you want to reduce the weight of the unit but need more gas than the 13s provide why not use the luxfer 27s? They are pretty close in the specs except they are 4" longer than the 13s & at 5.3" dia they are almost the same dia as the al 20 @ 5.25". The optima uses some pretty big steel tanks out of the box so if the al 27s fit they would give you way more gas than the 13s or 20s, at only a 4lb increase in the dry weight of the unit over the al 13s. Ral __________________ The sea does not care about you.
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5th June 2007, 19:36	#8 (permalink)
Jordan Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: May 2005 Location: North Florida Posts: 219	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's I am just looking into things here...I like the idea of the more gas, that's for sure....I don't like the 18" height though --I think the longest I want my Optima to be is as long as it is with the St27's in it, which are 14.75" long. I think the extra 3.5" would just be too much for me (I'm 6'0" tall, if I were 6'4" I might think otherwise). Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL) If you want to reduce the weight of the unit but need more gas than the 13s provide why not use the luxfer 27s? They are pretty close in the specs except they are 4" longer than the 13s & at 5.3" dia they are almost the same dia as the al 20 @ 5.25". The optima uses some pretty big steel tanks out of the box so if the al 27s fit they would give you way more gas than the 13s or 20s, at only a 4lb increase in the dry weight of the unit over the al 13s. Ral __________________ Is it clear? No. Well, let's go anyways. "Those who would sacrifice a little freedom for a little order, will lose both, and deserve neither." Thomas Jefferson
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5th June 2007, 21:41	#9 (permalink)
RAL Longbottom Time Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 374	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Quote: (Originally Posted by Jordan) I am just looking into things here...I like the idea of the more gas, that's for sure....I don't like the 18" height though --I think the longest I want my Optima to be is as long as it is with the St27's in it, which are 14.75" long. I think the extra 3.5" would just be too much for me (I'm 6'0" tall, if I were 6'4" I might think otherwise). Just thought it might be an option if it would fit in the frame, the bouyancy & weight looked like it might be a good option. Those 27 steels looked huge to me. They are the biggest tanks I have seen on any rebreather other than the Klingon warship. I see dive rite express is already offering the Cat 20s as an option for the Optima so it may be a good choice? Ral __________________ The sea does not care about you.
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5th June 2007, 23:09	#10 (permalink)
*jradomski* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Optima rEvo Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Evolution Megalodon Classic Kiss rEvo Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: "Da" Bronx Posts: 2,817	Re: Anyone tried the Catalina AL20's Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL) Just thought it might be an option if it would fit in the frame, the bouyancy & weight looked like it might be a good option. Those 27 steels looked huge to me. They are the biggest tanks I have seen on any rebreather other than the Klingon warship. I see dive rite express is already offering the Cat 20s as an option for the Optima so it may be a good choice? Ral There are times when larger ONBOARD cylinders are warranted.. WHen I am doing some really big dives I use 7.5l lp steels that I'll bump up to 200bar or so.. A small 2l or 3l cylinder does not have enough gas to cover the loop if flushes are needed and the wing.. (in a DS I also use independent inflation) a 150m dive can easily take up more than 1/3 the cylinder just making up the initial loop volume.. add this your wing and you may not have much to spare... With the larger onboard cylinders the sling tanks are really for emergency use, not required gas for the dive... __________________ Joe Radomski CCR Trimix Instructor Trainer ANDI Instructor Trainer Director #10 All posts are personal opinions and DO NOT reflect any affiliated agency unless specifically stated.
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