silly question: what use for a 3l alu pony

movil · June 22nd, 2006, 06:03 PM

I have a 3l aluminium pony (old style, i.e. light) which I have not used for at least 4 years....It´s no longer in test, so I am wondering whether it´s worth getting it tested. I was wondering whether anyone can suggest a use for it (other than ebay) or whether I should just get rid of it. Is it really too small for an O2 deco cylinder? just wondering

any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jorge

Chris B · June 22nd, 2006, 06:29 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by movil)

I have a 3l aluminum pony (old style, i.e. light) which I have not used for at least 4 years....It´s no longer in test, so I am wondering whether it´s worth getting it tested. I was wondering whether anyone can suggest a use for it (other than ebay) or whether I should just get rid of it. Is it really too small for an O2 deco cylinder? just wondering

any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jorge

Might work for O2, its only slightly smaller than a 40 you just need to to the maths, see how long it will last with an acceptable reserve and see if that is enough for your needs

vid · June 22nd, 2006, 07:35 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by movil)

It´s no longer in test, so I am wondering whether it´s worth getting it tested.

if you're going to use it - yes!

if not - I know of a good home for cylinders

Quote: (Originally Posted by movil)

Is it really too small for an O2 deco cylinder?

no it's not - but it depends on what deco strategy you follow/practice

I haven't had gue tech training, so I base my deco on what I've learnt from other agencies (so please take this answer with a pinch of salt)

my buddy and i both use 3L with 100% to "accelerate" deco on dives that are shallower than 30M-33M
we still have sufficient back gas to do the full deco and we stay in the water for the full time - it just helps give an extra safety factor

Question - from a tech 1 (or 2) perspective - is there any advantage in following this approach ?

vid

lizardland · June 22nd, 2006, 11:07 PM

I use one as a bail out bottle for <30m no deco rebreather dives. If you want to make the most of your ali 3 then buy a KISS

***EBT*** · June 23rd, 2006, 10:11 AM

Suit bottle, mounted on your tanks?

davy · June 23rd, 2006, 10:34 AM

3l is fine as a O2 bottle if you can get a good fill. and don't do a bend and mend profile

I personally always use a 40cuft in OW because I usually can only get 150 bar. but considering the danger of high pressure O2, I don't mind.

3l might also make a nice (cave) argon bottle.
the prefered 14 cuft. is ~2.8 l so not much difference... but the 14cuft is very light though (140bar rated pressure)

Divingniknaks · June 24th, 2006, 12:41 AM

Can you get a cool looking lampshade for it ?

Might make a talking point at dinner parties.

Sorry, couldnt think of anything valuable to add but noticed I wasnt Top Poster anymore. Am Now !

.

June 22nd, 2006, 06:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Chris B(Offline) Chris B Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NW UK Posts: 279	Quote: (Originally Posted by movil) I have a 3l aluminum pony (old style, i.e. light) which I have not used for at least 4 years....It´s no longer in test, so I am wondering whether it´s worth getting it tested. I was wondering whether anyone can suggest a use for it (other than ebay) or whether I should just get rid of it. Is it really too small for an O2 deco cylinder? just wondering any help would be greatly appreciated. Jorge Might work for O2, its only slightly smaller than a 40 you just need to to the maths, see how long it will last with an acceptable reserve and see if that is enough for your needs __________________ www.merseydivers.com www.boardmanbikes.com

June 22nd, 2006, 11:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
lizardland(Offline) LCS Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Evidently Chickentown Posts: 1,114	I use one as a bail out bottle for <30m no deco rebreather dives. If you want to make the most of your ali 3 then buy a KISS __________________ Can you imagine drifting along in the sea with your mouth open and a load of f***ing plankton going in? You'd like it, would you? www.westons-cider.co.uk The Lot isn't the only place to dive: http://www.lulu.com/content/613554

June 24th, 2006, 12:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,040	Can you get a cool looking lampshade for it ? Might make a talking point at dinner parties. Sorry, couldnt think of anything valuable to add but noticed I wasnt Top Poster anymore. Am Now ! . __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

June 22nd, 2006, 06:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
movil(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Spain Posts: 59	I have a 3l aluminium pony (old style, i.e. light) which I have not used for at least 4 years....It´s no longer in test, so I am wondering whether it´s worth getting it tested. I was wondering whether anyone can suggest a use for it (other than ebay) or whether I should just get rid of it. Is it really too small for an O2 deco cylinder? just wondering any help would be greatly appreciated. Jorge

June 22nd, 2006, 07:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
vid(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: london/surrey border, UK Posts: 356	Quote: (Originally Posted by movil) It´s no longer in test, so I am wondering whether it´s worth getting it tested. if you're going to use it - yes! if not - I know of a good home for cylinders Quote: (Originally Posted by movil) Is it really too small for an O2 deco cylinder? no it's not - but it depends on what deco strategy you follow/practice I haven't had gue tech training, so I base my deco on what I've learnt from other agencies (so please take this answer with a pinch of salt) my buddy and i both use 3L with 100% to "accelerate" deco on dives that are shallower than 30M-33M we still have sufficient back gas to do the full deco and we stay in the water for the full time - it just helps give an extra safety factor Question - from a tech 1 (or 2) perspective - is there any advantage in following this approach ? vid

June 23rd, 2006, 10:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
*EBT*(Offline) Just another crouton... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Brighton Posts: 527	Suit bottle, mounted on your tanks?

June 23rd, 2006, 10:34 AM	#6 (permalink)
davy(Offline) DIveR Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 294	3l is fine as a O2 bottle if you can get a good fill. and don't do a bend and mend profile I personally always use a 40cuft in OW because I usually can only get 150 bar. but considering the danger of high pressure O2, I don't mind. 3l might also make a nice (cave) argon bottle. the prefered 14 cuft. is ~2.8 l so not much difference... but the 14cuft is very light though (140bar rated pressure)