Cascade Storage Banks... Proper Use.
- I'd like to know how dive shops use cascade bottles systems... Is it different from the way I use AL80 Scuba tanks to cascade fill my Twin 38s?
1. For example, I have found that the most efficient use of a cascade tank is to fill my Twin 38s when they are almost empty. With the full tank emptying/cascading into the almost empty Twin 38s, I get the most possible pressure transfered.
2. After this first cascade, both the filler tank and the receiving tank are at about half full. And, I need another FULL AL80 to add more pressure to my Twin 38s. This gets it pretty close to 3/4 full and leaves the AL80 about 3/4 full.
3. After this second cascade, I need one more FULL AL80 to top off my Twin 38s at 2,000 psi BUT the AL80 is still almost full.
Now is Where I wonder About the Difference Between Me and a Dive Shop Cascade.
1. For my next fill, I'll again try to start with nearly empty Twin 38s. This time, the first cascade will come from the first half empty AL80 and will fill my Twin 38s to about 1/4 full and leave the AL80 at about 1/4 full
2. The 2nd Cascade will come from the 2nd 3/4 full cascade and will bring my Twin 38s up to about 1/2 full and leave the AL80 about 1/2 full
3. the 3rd Cascade will come from the 1st almost full AL80 and will bring my Twin 38s up to about 2/3 full and leave the AL80 about 2/3 full.
4. And now I take another FULL AL80 to bring my Twin 38s up to a full 2000 psi... Leaving the AL80 at about 3/4 full
This continues, on the next fill much the same way... Using the cascade tanks from lowest pressure first on up to highest pressure.
Is this the way a dive shop does it too?