Tank Bands

[contender]

I am currently using cam bands for my lower clip attachment. Just wandering what some of you other sidemounters are using?

[hoosier]

Just simple SS Clamps...

Recently, I got DR Low Profile Buckle (1.5 inch wide) as well.


"Compact low profile version of the stainless steel cam buckle. The strap length is adjustable for both small and large cylinders and can be trimmed. Includes removable and position adjustable non-slip pad."

[SLIM]

Use SS bands that are used on stage tanks. I just place them at a differant location. I then use a screw link and have my clips attached to that. Have seen some use the old bent washers that they used to keep a D-ring on the tanks with, istead they tied a snap on with.

Use what you have.

SLIM

[FW]

I would recommend 2 SS hose clamps per tank. I have had a tank come loose, and it messes up your trim pretty badly.

[Line Squirrel]

I am currently using cam bands for my lower clip attachment. Just wandering what some of you other sidemounters are using?

Chad - I use the same as you, cam bands. I don't care for metal to metal connections if I can avoid them...that's just me.

[Captain Bil]

SS hose clamps for sure. Wrap some duct around tank to solve the metal to metal contact issue. I dive 130's, so any weight saved is good for me (I go about a buck 50, not much more than the tanks!).

[contender]

I would recommend 2 SS hose clamps per tank. I have had a tank come loose, and it messes up your trim pretty badly.

I did not consider one breaking or coming loose. Do you snap into the butt plate with both clips or is one in case?

[contender]

Chad - I use the same as you, cam bands. I don't care for metal to metal connections if I can avoid them...that's just me.

I like this way the best so far, but I am always open to new ideas.

[contender]

SS hose clamps for sure. Wrap some duct around tank to solve the metal to metal contact issue. I dive 130's, so any weight saved is good for me (I go about a buck 50, not much more than the tanks!).

I think the metal to metal contact would be the clip and hose clamp for cutting purposes.

[SLIM]

Nope 1 clip but held with 2 hose clamps. If you are so worried about a metal to metal conection and what kind of clips then you need to learn your system more. There should never be a reason to have to cut a SM tank off. If you can't reach it properly or unable to manipulate it in a multitude of postions then maybe need to chang eithr size tanks or how you have them secured or just ore work with them. Getting into SM is not that hard but deos take some time.

This might be the explorer in me and not a recreational cave diver. A good SM rig one should be able to be in all kinds of postions and be able to reach every snap. not buy sight but bye feel and just memory of where and how it is located.

SLIM

[Webmaster]

Chad - I use the same as you, cam bands. I don't care for metal to metal connections if I can avoid them...that's just me.

So how do you cut your backmount tanks off Mike? ;-)

Marbry

[Line Squirrel]

Nope 1 clip but held with 2 hose clamps. If you are so worried about a metal to metal conection and what kind of clips then you need to learn your system more. There should never be a reason to have to cut a SM tank off. If you can't reach it properly or unable to manipulate it in a multitude of postions then maybe need to chang eithr size tanks or how you have them secured or just ore work with them. Getting into SM is not that hard but deos take some time.

This might be the explorer in me and not a recreational cave diver. A good SM rig one should be able to be in all kinds of postions and be able to reach every snap. not buy sight but bye feel and just memory of where and how it is located.

SLIM

I'm not *so* worried about metal to metal, I have it on my argon bottle and I don't stay awake at night worrying about it but this is a situation I can easily avoid it and I see a slight advantage so why not? [read my new signature :-D].

What advantage[s] do SS clamps have over cam bands? I am completely open to listening other ideas. I just need to see a benefit to one over the other.

Although I completely agree there should never be a reason to cut tanks off, all things being equal, it is an option that I have and you don't. I can't forsee every scenario that may come up, nobody can.

I do a lot of solo diving, some of the passages I get into are pretty "dirty". What if I get sand [or whatever] in the clip and can't pull the gate back either underwater or even at the surface? A stretch? Maybe, but stranger things have happened. I've pushed my way through enough sandy restrictions where frankly I see this as a possibility.

BTW, it's not so much "cutting" them away but being able to pop the buckle.

[JDostal]

I go the cam band route. I really like it because it is so flexible - just got back from Mexico and it was a piece of cake using the al80s down there for sidemount tanks. Put a little weight on the cam band and I was good to go.

[FW]

Like Slim, I use 2 SS hose clamps, under one 2", welded, D-ring. I use one, small, caribiner to connect to the harness.

If you don't like metal to metal, you could add a short loop of webbing, so it can be cut.

Mike, FWIW I used to use cambands, but I had too much trouble with them coming undone on their own. They are fine for stage bottles in large passage, but not tight sidemount passages.

[Line Squirrel]

Mike, FWIW I used to use cambands, but I had too much trouble with them coming undone on their own. They are fine for stage bottles in large passage, but not tight sidemount passages.

I've thought about this.

What I do is position the buckles in toward my thigh and slightly up so there is less of a chance the buckle catching on a passage wall and popping open. When I need to do a one off or two off, I try to be conscious of catching the buckle, but if I did pop it open, at that point the tank is in front of me. I can see what happened and close it.

Also what I have done is put a 3-4" piece of inner tube on the cam band and put the tag end under the inner tube, not relying on the Velcro to hold it in place. Keeps the tag end secured and also helps to stop the buckle from popping if it catches on something.

BTW - on my 45's I do use SS clamps but use a piece of braided sash cord to connect the clip to the taco clip & 1" d-ring. I put a dab of super glue or use Whippit [spelling?] on the knot so it doesn't come undone.

[SLIM]

Got a set of cambands all ready to to go. Used the in St Croix and it was great just a 4# weight on them and like Omini said works like a charm. Use the innertube also around it to keep the velcro closed and keep as much out as I can.

SLIM

[contender]

BTW - on my 45's

45's.... :eek: Mike are you carrying those to breathe or for drysuit inflation only.:-D

[DogDiver]

After using the cambands that came with my Nomad for 6 months, they were getting very abraided. I never liked the idea of putting rubber tire tubes over the bands as that might cause corrosion. After looking all over the web for some of Highlands stage bottle bands I found a shop in the northeast that had two sets of OMS stage bottle bands. I changed the phillips head screws over to SS cap heads with an allen wrench center. It takes me no more time to switch cylinders using these than with cam bands.

On the metal to metal issue: How do back mount divers cut thier tanks off? Take a look at them next time I'm at Ginnie.....Ken

[Line Squirrel]

45's.... :eek: Mike are you carrying those to breathe or for drysuit inflation only.:-D

I was on my side in a very grabby, craggy fissure, wet suit and my 45's. I thought I could not go any further, at least I knew I didn't want to. I wasn't stuck...yet.

Ask me about it in person some time.

I had another interesting incident in the same cave that had to do with my Poseidons. Which is why I don't own them anymore - lol.

[Tegg]

I have found that this setup works best for me. Others may do it differently, this is just one way to possibly do it.


http://www.deepintentions.com/sidemount_rig/images/IMG_2194.jpg

http://www.deepintentions.com/sidemount_rig/images/IMG_2196.jpg

[contender]

Thanks for the pics tegg, I like that setup.

[FW]

45's.... :eek: Mike are you carrying those to breathe or for drysuit inflation only.:-D
45s are pretty big. I sometimes use 14s, if the dive is short.

[Line Squirrel]

45s are pretty big. I sometimes use 14s, if the dive is short.

You would use 6s if you had a pair! :-D I have one you can borrow, you need to find one more.

[contender]

45s are pretty big. I sometimes use 14s, if the dive is short.

Short... would be a sure thing if I was using 14's. I would make it down the run at Devil's and have to get out. :-D

[Chunky]

Tegg, what diameter inner tube is that? Where can you get inner tubes with that large of a diameter?

Thanks!
Martin.

[hoosier]

Tegg, what diameter inner tube is that? Where can you get inner tubes with that large of a diameter?

Thanks!
Martin.

Junk yard. Many old big trucks' tires are using that size of inner tubes...




I add a simple 1inch webbing on SS Clamp, so there is no metal to metal contact and no corrosion either.

For example, the picture below is a SS clamp, webbing with a weight pouch. :)

[Tegg]

Tegg, what diameter inner tube is that? Where can you get inner tubes with that large of a diameter?

Thanks!
Martin.

I Don't remember off hand.. . I'll post it this weekend.

[billyf]

85s - 7.00R20 or Firestone MR 14/15
108s - 8.00R20
SS - 10.00R20
45s - 12.00R20

[Webmaster]

I tried the cam bands, but had too many problems with them sliding around or coming completely undone crawling around out of the water between sumps. A real PIA, not to mention exhausting to deal with repeatedly.

Inner tube over that would have helped but I couldn't find any large enough. Large inner tubes are getting hard to find because everyone has gone to tubeless tires.

I'm using a hose clamp, with the slotted U adapter. Then a small screw link in that with a marine snap attached to it.

I've had bolt snaps lock up from sand and grit where they wouldn't open, but I've never had that happen with a marine snap. And I always clip it in so that the gate is toward my body.

This gives me two options for disconnecting the tank from the harness, unclip the snap, or unscrew the screw link. Short of just coming out of the harness of course. Really I have three options if it comes down to it, because I clip the marine snap to a ring on the harness that's attached with another screw link.

Marbry

[tflaris]

I am currently using cam bands for my lower clip attachment. Just wandering what some of you other sidemounters are using?

I like cam bands as my lower point of attachment and it worked well for a week of diving in Mexico.

[Captain Bil]

I think the metal to metal contact would be the clip and hose clamp for cutting purposes.


I assumed he was concerned with the issue of dissimilar metals in long term contact.

[Line Squirrel]

I assumed he was concerned with the issue of dissimilar metals in long term contact.

nope