Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out?

hoppyinca · 21st February 2007, 06:08

Humm,... love my steel 45's... side mount/ butt mount what ever... nice and compact.

weight?... your underwater for crying out loud!

Hoppyinca

Mike · 21st February 2007, 07:19

Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL)

A single 45 will mess with the balance of the rig. You could just try to add a little weight on the opposite side but this is not the best solution IMO. I would get two al 40s & rig up to carry the bottles in the proper sidemount manner.

Why bother swapping to Al if you are going to carry two? Al40 is heavier out of the water, and, as a sidemount takes the weight around the waist area, underwater it is just the same as having weights on a belt. Properly set up a sidemount steel tank is no more intrusive than an ali.

Buying new, I'd get al 40s, but if you have the steel 45's, have a play with them first. Costs you nothing, so why not try? Most people need more weight with a rebreather than OC, so total weight shouldn't be a problem.

FWIW, I own and have used 2 al 40s, 2 steel 7s and 2 steel 12s. Even the Steel 12s are fine as a sidemounted pair. (If I'm carrying just one tank I prefer Ali either 40 or 80)

Mike

RAL · 21st February 2007, 13:58

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mike)

Why bother swapping to Al if you are going to carry two? Al40 is heavier out of the water, and, as a sidemount takes the weight around the waist area, underwater it is just the same as having weights on a belt. Properly set up a sidemount steel tank is no more intrusive than an ali.

Mike

.

D'oh!! I thought he had one 45 & around here you can get 2 al 40s for less than one faber 45. I have fabor 50s & use them as my light duty setup, they work fine. For openwater "rec bailout" I would use the al 40s because of the bouyancy advantages.

RAL

**Monkey** · 21st February 2007, 14:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL)

.

D'oh!! I thought he had one 45 & around here you can get 2 al 40s for less than one faber 45. I have fabor 50s & use them as my light duty setup, they work fine. For openwater "rec bailout" I would use the al 40s because of the bouyancy advantages.

RAL

I do have one 45.... but I can borrow more.... so I will try both AL and Steel.

**Monkey** · 4th March 2007, 02:27

Dove the Steel 45 today.....felt perfectly fine.... will be diving again with it tomorow... and I think I wil stick with it.

Genesis · 4th March 2007, 02:28

If it works for you, that's all that matters......

Gilles · 4th March 2007, 10:09

Quote: (Originally Posted by dartagnansmith)

can you give me more detail on "sidemounting".... ?

I have plenty of regulators...and I have 2 OMS harnesses an IQ pack and a comfort harness.. both with STEEL back plates.

ArmadilloCCR sidemount kit

If you're getting a Meg, you will be very neg with your SS BP.

Quote: (Originally Posted by Mike)

Buying new, I'd get al 40s, but if you have the steel 45's, have a play with them first. Costs you nothing, so why not try?

Mike

I agree with that one

. I don't see any need for you to spend extra $ up front especially if you have a pair.

The sidemount is very comfy. I often use al80's and it is like they are not there. I've mixed different bailout tanks (80 with 40 or 62). Minor imbalances easily solved with a small weight and camband.

zepp · 4th March 2007, 15:56

Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL)

.

D'oh!! I thought he had one 45 & around here you can get 2 al 40s for less than one faber 45. RAL

Well around these parts its the other way around....steel much cheaper than ali !!!!
I was using two Faber 10's (75's?) which i have been using for years o/c but found them awkward with my ccr as its far more -ve than my o/c kit. I have just got two ali 80's and found them much easier to handle....MUCH !!!!

**kevin stone** · 4th March 2007, 19:17

Another vote for the sidemount 40 ali

Kevin

Gilles · 4th March 2007, 22:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles)

ArmadilloCCR sidemount kit

If you're getting a Meg, you will be very neg with your SS BP.

I agree with that one

. I don't see any need for you to spend extra $ up front especially if you have a pair.

The sidemount is very comfy. I often use al80's and it is like they are not there. I've mixed different bailout tanks (80 with 40 or 62). Minor imbalances easily solved with a small weight and camband.

Quote: (Originally Posted by kevin stone)

Another vote for the sidemount 40 ali

Kevin

Actually, let me qualify my above statement. If you are going to spend more $ on tanks, and are going with a SM kit, why not get a pair of ali80's instead.
80's are hardly any more difficult, very standard, and will provide much more volume and flexibility.

40's are ok too, but I think you will get twice the flexibility for maybe even less $.

Don't forget to get one LH valve.

21st February 2007, 06:08	#21 (permalink)
hoppyinca New Member Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA USA Posts: 253	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Humm,... love my steel 45's... side mount/ butt mount what ever... nice and compact. weight?... your underwater for crying out loud! Hoppyinca
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21st February 2007, 07:19	#22 (permalink)
Mike Prism 'prentice Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Evolution Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 332	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL) A single 45 will mess with the balance of the rig. You could just try to add a little weight on the opposite side but this is not the best solution IMO. I would get two al 40s & rig up to carry the bottles in the proper sidemount manner. Why bother swapping to Al if you are going to carry two? Al40 is heavier out of the water, and, as a sidemount takes the weight around the waist area, underwater it is just the same as having weights on a belt. Properly set up a sidemount steel tank is no more intrusive than an ali. Buying new, I'd get al 40s, but if you have the steel 45's, have a play with them first. Costs you nothing, so why not try? Most people need more weight with a rebreather than OC, so total weight shouldn't be a problem. FWIW, I own and have used 2 al 40s, 2 steel 7s and 2 steel 12s. Even the Steel 12s are fine as a sidemounted pair. (If I'm carrying just one tank I prefer Ali either 40 or 80) Mike __________________ Open ....... Closed Mind ........ Loop
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21st February 2007, 13:58	#23 (permalink)
RAL Longbottom Time Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Florida Posts: 391	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Quote: (Originally Posted by Mike) Why bother swapping to Al if you are going to carry two? Al40 is heavier out of the water, and, as a sidemount takes the weight around the waist area, underwater it is just the same as having weights on a belt. Properly set up a sidemount steel tank is no more intrusive than an ali. Mike . D'oh!! I thought he had one 45 & around here you can get 2 al 40s for less than one faber 45. I have fabor 50s & use them as my light duty setup, they work fine. For openwater "rec bailout" I would use the al 40s because of the bouyancy advantages. RAL __________________ The sea does not care about you.
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21st February 2007, 14:49	#24 (permalink)
Monkey Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lauderdale By The Sea Florida Posts: 338	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL) . D'oh!! I thought he had one 45 & around here you can get 2 al 40s for less than one faber 45. I have fabor 50s & use them as my light duty setup, they work fine. For openwater "rec bailout" I would use the al 40s because of the bouyancy advantages. RAL I do have one 45.... but I can borrow more.... so I will try both AL and Steel.
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4th March 2007, 02:27	#25 (permalink)
Monkey Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Lauderdale By The Sea Florida Posts: 338	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Dove the Steel 45 today.....felt perfectly fine.... will be diving again with it tomorow... and I think I wil stick with it.
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4th March 2007, 02:28	#26 (permalink)
Genesis Bubbless Box of Death Current Rebreather/s: Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Home Build Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sunny Florida Posts: 1,453	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? If it works for you, that's all that matters...... __________________ "A venturesome minority will always be eager to get off on their own, and no obstacles should be placed in their path; let them take risks for Godsake, let them get lost, sunburnt, stranded, drowned, eaten by bears, buried alive under avalanches - that is the right and privilege of any free American." http://www.denninger.net http://www.diversunion.org/liability.htm - Fix the Diving Cert racket
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4th March 2007, 10:09	#27 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Quote: (Originally Posted by dartagnansmith) can you give me more detail on "sidemounting".... ? I have plenty of regulators...and I have 2 OMS harnesses an IQ pack and a comfort harness.. both with STEEL back plates. ArmadilloCCR sidemount kit If you're getting a Meg, you will be very neg with your SS BP. Quote: (Originally Posted by Mike) Buying new, I'd get al 40s, but if you have the steel 45's, have a play with them first. Costs you nothing, so why not try? Mike I agree with that one. I don't see any need for you to spend extra $ up front especially if you have a pair. The sidemount is very comfy. I often use al80's and it is like they are not there. I've mixed different bailout tanks (80 with 40 or 62). Minor imbalances easily solved with a small weight and camband. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
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4th March 2007, 15:56	#28 (permalink)
zepp "Dyson with Death" daddy Current Rebreather/s: Classic Kiss Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: midlands Posts: 284	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Quote: (Originally Posted by RAL) . D'oh!! I thought he had one 45 & around here you can get 2 al 40s for less than one faber 45. RAL Well around these parts its the other way around....steel much cheaper than ali !!!! I was using two Faber 10's (75's?) which i have been using for years o/c but found them awkward with my ccr as its far more -ve than my o/c kit. I have just got two ali 80's and found them much easier to handle....MUCH !!!! __________________ I'm not a bad person.....HONEST my homebuild photos http://www.rebreatherworld.com/photo...ery.php/cat/48 CLASSIC KISS #052/shearwater The Dyson is back
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4th March 2007, 19:17	#29 (permalink)
kevin stone Supporting Member Current Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: us ct. Posts: 228	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Another vote for the sidemount 40 ali Kevin
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4th March 2007, 22:24	#30 (permalink)
Gilles Worship the feminine Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Den Haag (Netherlands) Posts: 762	Re: Is Steel 45 to big for recreational Bail out? Quote: (Originally Posted by Gilles) ArmadilloCCR sidemount kit If you're getting a Meg, you will be very neg with your SS BP. I agree with that one. I don't see any need for you to spend extra $ up front especially if you have a pair. The sidemount is very comfy. I often use al80's and it is like they are not there. I've mixed different bailout tanks (80 with 40 or 62). Minor imbalances easily solved with a small weight and camband. Quote: (Originally Posted by kevin stone) Another vote for the sidemount 40 ali Kevin Actually, let me qualify my above statement. If you are going to spend more $ on tanks, and are going with a SM kit, why not get a pair of ali80's instead. 80's are hardly any more difficult, very standard, and will provide much more volume and flexibility. 40's are ok too, but I think you will get twice the flexibility for maybe even less $. Don't forget to get one LH valve. __________________ Gilles http://www.dirrebreather.com
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