Questions on stages and rigging

jasonmh · July 27th, 2006, 07:27 PM

Hi all,

I am trying to put together my first stage bottle and have some questions.
- For an spg on a stage bottle, are there "mini" spgs? Or is it recommended to use a regular full-sized spg?

- Is there anything important to look for in a reg for a stage/deco bottle? I am using DS4s on my doubles now, any reason to not go with another DS4 on the stage bottle?

- Is the hose for the second stage supposed to be 40 inches? How long should the HP hose for the SPG be?

Thanks for the help.

**GLOC** · July 27th, 2006, 07:42 PM

I think pretty much everything you need will be here

http://www.gasdiving.co.uk/pages/misc/kit/stages.htm

HTH

**jb2cool** · July 27th, 2006, 08:06 PM

I was under the impression that piston first stages were more desirable for stage/deco cylinders as they are happier being flooded than diaphram first stages. Don't think it's a real biggie though as diapham first stages will still work, just might need more afterthought.

HP hose should be about 6" long and looped back on itselt for sit right next to tthe first stage.

I think i got that right. Guys/Gals?

Divingniknaks · July 27th, 2006, 09:36 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by jasonmh)

- Is there anything important to look for in a reg for a stage/deco bottle? I am using DS4s on my doubles now, any reason to not go with another DS4 on the stage bottle?

The better routing is with a DST, but there's a trade off. If you have DS4 on the stage then you have a "spare" in the event of a backgas 1st stage problem.

Quote: (Originally Posted by jasonmh)

- Is the hose for the second stage supposed to be 40 inches?

Yep

Quote: (Originally Posted by jasonmh)

-
How long should the HP hose for the SPG be?

6 inches

HTH

jasonmh · July 27th, 2006, 09:43 PM

Thanks for the help everyone. Any thoughts on which would be the better choice when deciding between having the same 1st stage as backgas, or the better routing/easier to deploy with the swivel? I would imagine that having a 1st that matched the backgas might win out on that one, with the parts and service then being the same on all the regs, and the ability to use them interchangeably being more important than having the swivel?

Divingniknaks · July 27th, 2006, 09:53 PM

The service kit is the same for both, you just have some left over for the DS4.

Having the same all round does seem to be most peoples choice as I see it.

Any T1's wanna comment ? Emminently more qualified than me to do so, but that's just normally the case on anything

.

*Clare* · July 27th, 2006, 10:46 PM

I've got both on stage regs..... a mixture of DS4s and DSTs

The DST does route nicer as long as you can get at it to deploy it properly - but I've had several situations when getting it to spin round completely has been a p.i.t.a. I've just left it where it was and used it anyway.

Now if you are not going to swivel the reg then you may as well stick to a non swivel DS4 - less failure points, cheaper to buy and interchangable with other regs.

On balance - if I were buying again I would stick to DS4s.

*graham_hk* · July 28th, 2006, 01:46 AM

Go with SP MK25s. When you have 10 regs lugging around heavy apeks gets to be a PITA. IMHO they also have the best layout for stages.

Since they are lighter I think the bottles ride better than with DSTs in particular.

Cheers, Graham

**neilh** · July 28th, 2006, 08:39 AM

Following on from this do folks tend to get "normal" apeks/SP regs and just get them O2 cleaned or go for the premium priced nitrox branded versions?

Presumably for a deco bottle that may have 50%+ O2 in you would need to get the whole 1st stage+hose+SPG+2nd stage cleaned?

wilbo · July 28th, 2006, 09:07 AM

Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh)

Following on from this do folks tend to get "normal" apeks/SP regs and just get them O2 cleaned or go for the premium priced nitrox branded versions?

Presumably for a deco bottle that may have 50%+ O2 in you would need to get the whole 1st stage+hose+SPG+2nd stage cleaned?

could be a can 'o' worms...

IIRC apeks regs come O2 clean from the factory.

As far was the Orings inside are concerned - I don't know. I have read that lots of people buy new Apeks regs and start using them with high percentage O2. I am not saying I would. Just that some do.

It probably doesn't help you..

July 27th, 2006, 07:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
GLOC(Offline) Moderator and aka Mavis Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Malmesbury, Wilts Posts: 2,772	I think pretty much everything you need will be here http://www.gasdiving.co.uk/pages/misc/kit/stages.htm HTH __________________ Gareth Images of Life Photography DIR Team Foxturd Travels Underwater and Further Afar “Set your expectations high; find men and women whose integrity and values you respect; get their agreement on a course of action; and give them your ultimate trust.” “It is far better to be trusted and respected that it is to be liked.”

July 27th, 2006, 08:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
jb2cool(Offline) Sorry for being a dick Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire Posts: 1,053	I was under the impression that piston first stages were more desirable for stage/deco cylinders as they are happier being flooded than diaphram first stages. Don't think it's a real biggie though as diapham first stages will still work, just might need more afterthought. HP hose should be about 6" long and looped back on itselt for sit right next to tthe first stage. I think i got that right. Guys/Gals? __________________ http://jb2cool.bulldoghome.com

July 27th, 2006, 09:36 PM	#4 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,040	Quote: (Originally Posted by jasonmh) - Is there anything important to look for in a reg for a stage/deco bottle? I am using DS4s on my doubles now, any reason to not go with another DS4 on the stage bottle? The better routing is with a DST, but there's a trade off. If you have DS4 on the stage then you have a "spare" in the event of a backgas 1st stage problem. Quote: (Originally Posted by jasonmh) - Is the hose for the second stage supposed to be 40 inches? Yep Quote: (Originally Posted by jasonmh) - How long should the HP hose for the SPG be? 6 inches HTH __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

July 27th, 2006, 09:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Divingniknaks(Offline) Resident purveyor of shiney kit.... Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Midlands UK Posts: 1,040	The service kit is the same for both, you just have some left over for the DS4. Having the same all round does seem to be most peoples choice as I see it. Any T1's wanna comment ? Emminently more qualified than me to do so, but that's just normally the case on anything . __________________ Phill ----------------------------- Salvo Lights, DirZone Gear , Frog Wings Dive ? http://www.divingniknaks.com

July 27th, 2006, 10:46 PM	#7 (permalink)
Clare(Offline) GUE Instructor Site Admin Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,930	I've got both on stage regs..... a mixture of DS4s and DSTs The DST does route nicer as long as you can get at it to deploy it properly - but I've had several situations when getting it to spin round completely has been a p.i.t.a. I've just left it where it was and used it anyway. Now if you are not going to swivel the reg then you may as well stick to a non swivel DS4 - less failure points, cheaper to buy and interchangable with other regs. On balance - if I were buying again I would stick to DS4s. __________________ Clare . "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions....Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too can become great." Interested in DIR dive training? Always happy to chat/answer questions so get in touch via PM or visit www.dirdiver.co.uk

July 27th, 2006, 07:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
jasonmh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 125	Hi all, I am trying to put together my first stage bottle and have some questions. - For an spg on a stage bottle, are there "mini" spgs? Or is it recommended to use a regular full-sized spg? - Is there anything important to look for in a reg for a stage/deco bottle? I am using DS4s on my doubles now, any reason to not go with another DS4 on the stage bottle? - Is the hose for the second stage supposed to be 40 inches? How long should the HP hose for the SPG be? Thanks for the help.

July 27th, 2006, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
jasonmh(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: New Mexico Posts: 125	Thanks for the help everyone. Any thoughts on which would be the better choice when deciding between having the same 1st stage as backgas, or the better routing/easier to deploy with the swivel? I would imagine that having a 1st that matched the backgas might win out on that one, with the parts and service then being the same on all the regs, and the ability to use them interchangeably being more important than having the swivel?

July 28th, 2006, 01:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
graham_hk(Offline) GUE instructor Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Asia Posts: 1,112	Go with SP MK25s. When you have 10 regs lugging around heavy apeks gets to be a PITA. IMHO they also have the best layout for stages. Since they are lighter I think the bottles ride better than with DSTs in particular. Cheers, Graham

July 28th, 2006, 08:39 AM	#9 (permalink)
neilh(Offline) Wreck Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Barnsley, UK Posts: 2,667	Following on from this do folks tend to get "normal" apeks/SP regs and just get them O2 cleaned or go for the premium priced nitrox branded versions? Presumably for a deco bottle that may have 50%+ O2 in you would need to get the whole 1st stage+hose+SPG+2nd stage cleaned?

July 28th, 2006, 09:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
wilbo(Offline) Senior Chimp Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: UK Posts: 1,562	Quote: (Originally Posted by neilh) Following on from this do folks tend to get "normal" apeks/SP regs and just get them O2 cleaned or go for the premium priced nitrox branded versions? Presumably for a deco bottle that may have 50%+ O2 in you would need to get the whole 1st stage+hose+SPG+2nd stage cleaned? could be a can 'o' worms... IIRC apeks regs come O2 clean from the factory. As far was the Orings inside are concerned - I don't know. I have read that lots of people buy new Apeks regs and start using them with high percentage O2. I am not saying I would. Just that some do. It probably doesn't help you.. __________________ Cheers! Wilbo DIR explorers: DIR Yorkshire Divers: YorkshireDivers One of the Foxturd chimps