regulator valve connection - DIn or A-clamp???

[Ken Jackson]

I am buying a set of regs (apeks)

As I dont own any cylinders of my own, I am wondering
which valve connection I should buy?
I will be hiring or borrowing cylinders - which is the
most common valve?

[Keith L]

I am buying a set of regs (apeks)

As I dont own any cylinders of my own, I am wondering
which valve connection I should buy?
I will be hiring or borrowing cylinders - which is the
most common valve?

If you're hiring/borrowing cylinders then A-Clamp is the most common, if you do come across a DIN then carry a DIN insert with you to convert it to A-Clamp.

However, if you're buying your own regulators and cylinders then I would recommend DIN from the outset for your own equipment, it is a far superior system IMHO. There's a link below to an article that I wrote a few years back for "the other place".

Regards

Keith L

[Ken Jackson]

:=I am buying a set of regs (apeks)
:=
:=As I dont own any cylinders of my own, I am wondering
:=which valve connection I should buy?
:=I will be hiring or borrowing cylinders - which is the
:=most common valve?

If you're hiring/borrowing cylinders then A-Clamp is the most common, if you do come across a DIN then carry a DIN insert with you to convert it to A-Clamp.

However, if you're buying your own regulators and cylinders then I would recommend DIN from the outset for your own equipment, it is a far superior system IMHO. There's a link below to an article that I wrote a few years back for "the other place".

Regards

Keith L

Hi Keith,

Many thanks for the reply - great article which is a great help

Thanks again

Ken.

[TerryH]

Easy answer.

Buy a din reg + a din/A-clamp adapter.

90% of the time you can use the Din and even if they have a
plug inserted, takes 10 seconds to take it out.

If you get the odd time when you have to use A-clamp cylinders
then just stick on your adapter.

But if you want some other reasons .....
1) Many cylinders abroad (thinking mainly Red Sea here) have
rather large pillars, making fitting A-clamp regs (especially
Apex) quite difficult or even impossible.

2) Get a cylinder with a square turret and you can forget
making a seal for testing your Nitrox. Stick on your A-clamp
adapter and you now have a nice round fitting and good seal.

But the main reason? The main problem you get with cylinders
(especially hired ones) is the shocking state of the o-rings.
In some cases the edge of the groove where the o-ring sits is
pushed over or damaged making a burst ring almost inevitable.

Use din and it's you that is in charge of the O-ring and as it
fits internally and not externally, less chance of a duff fit.

HTH
TerryH

[nickjb]

I am buying a set of regs (apeks)

As I dont own any cylinders of my own, I am wondering
which valve connection I should buy?
I will be hiring or borrowing cylinders - which is the
most common valve?

Get a DIN. It is a lot better (more secure, better Oring location) and almost everywhere has DIN tanks for rent. The only place you might struggle to get DIN tanks is in the states and the Carribean. Most Red Sea dive centres have DIN tanks available but you need to mention it before you head off and double check when they load up the boat/jeep.