Mounting plate for tank and pony bottle

[PBcatfish]

I usually carry mine slung, with the hoses wrapped in bungees, much like the picture in post #4. I normally clip it to a shoulder strap on the front of my rig, but I have clipped it elsewhere when I planed to be doing something that involved me laying on the bottom, and a shoulder slung rig would have been in the way.

I have tried a few different rigid primary tank mounts over the years, but none of them gave me the easy access I wanted nor the easy ability to hand off the pony in the event that someone else needed it. I find that an AL40 is a bit much to carry shoulder slung, but doable if I really need it. An AL30 is still a bit much, but not as terrible. An AL19 is not so bad to carry. Anything smaller than that is easy. It's been years since I've used a hard mount on the back. I really prefer to carry the pony slung.

When I did use a rigid back mount, I found it least cumbersome to mount the pony with the valve facing down & then use a long hose to the second stage. I would normally clip the second stage near the top of my shoulder strap.

If you are going to fabricate a custom bracket, consider machinable plastics, such as Delrin, as a material rather than metals. They are easy to work with, fairly strong, not so heavy, pretty much neutrally buoyant, & there is zero concern for corrosion. I like a neutrally buoyant pony rig. That way, I don't need to change my weighting if I decide to carry it or not carry it at the last minute.

 

[hedonist222]

I'm a big fan of carrying my pony on the front of my rig, rather than attached to the tank on my back. If I have an emergency & need to reach for the pony quickly, I want it in front of me, where I can clearly see everything & I can reach it easily.

I have my pony attached to my main tank.
The 2nd stage is clipped to my chest D-ring.
The tank is always on.
For a while I ran an SPG from the pony - but recently found a cheap transmitter.
In both cases, in an emergency, I'm not sure why you would be concerned with handling the pony?
You need to ensure it has enough air (which you would do pre-dive and during dive) and you need to ensure quick access to the pony's second stage.
For a while, I even had the pony's second stage around my neck via necklace. But now its clipped off to chest d ring.
Reaching for my pony second stage is akin to reaching for your octopus on a traditional setup.

I use the Shark pony mount.

 

[PBcatfish]

... I'm not sure why you would be concerned with handling the pony?...

I've gotten my main rig tangled up a few times in the past. Having an easily detachable pony gives me the ability to ditch the main rig & swim around with just the pony while I work to resolve the problem. Different diving environments present different challenges. I like to keep my options open.

 

[hedonist222]

I've gotten my main rig tangled up a few times in the past. Having an easily detachable pony gives me the ability to ditch the main rig & swim around with just the pony while I work to resolve the problem. Different diving environments present different challenges. I like to keep my options open.

Not being negative, but if you've gotten your rig tangled a few times, maybe you need to address the entanglement?

 

[johndiver999]

You have been diving for how long and none of the suggestions will work? Never seen a plate used. Seems to be extra weight that nobody uses, as far as I have seen.

 

[SlugLife]

th bottles and accommodate different diameters, but would have very little side to side travel. I am also concerned about the forces from the cam bands distorting the flanges of the plate.

Option 2 is a W shaped plate with horizontal slots for the mounting bolts, allowing some movement from side to side. This would be a very strong system since it would be made from a single piece of metal (probably stainless) but would create a limit on the diameter of tanks you could use and while it would have more adjustability side to side than option 1, it wouldn't be much more. This would also be a fairly heavy chunk of metal.

Option 3 is a fabricated rig with two pieces of channel stock joined by crossbars which could be slotted for the mounting bolts. This design is lighter than option 2, but probably less durable, while having some o

IMO, try slinging the bottle, you might like it! At the very least it'll give you a point of reference.

However, DIY can be fun, so I'll play along.

• Buy an inexpensive 2nd backplate, an aluminum one (for ease drilling). Also buy (or own) two mounting brackets.
• The aluminum backplate will be our "sacrifice" plate. Screw the two backplates to eachother back-to-back.
• Using your two tank-mounting-brackets, figure out where you want your two tanks. I would actually put tanks in the brackets, with straps as you do this, if you want to be absolutely sure it'll work.
• Mark the locations where you would have to drill to attach each mounting bracket.
• Separate your two backplates, and drill the aluminum backplate.
• Attach your brackets to the aluminum backplate and verify you can install a tank and a pony-tank, and like how it's setup.
• Finally, if happy assemble the entire setup. Your wing will be sandwiched between the two backplates

 

[SlugLife]

I have tried a few different rigid primary tank mounts over the years, but none of them gave me the easy access I wanted nor the easy ability to hand off the pony in the event that someone else needed it. I find that an AL40 is a bit much to carry shoulder slung, but doable if I really need it. An AL30 is still a bit much, but not as terrible. An AL19 is not so bad to carry. Anything smaller than that is easy. It's been years since I've used a hard mount on the back. I really prefer to carry the pony slung.

Since I acquired an AL19, I haven't gone a dive without redundant air. The few times I haven't had the AL19, were when traveling (I acquired a 6cu dirt-cheap) or doing sidemount (2x AL80s). The AL19 is lightweight, convenient, easy to lug around on land and ladders, and doesn't get in the way.

I have never tried diving with an AL30 or AL40 as a slung-pony and I'd like to try it. However, I've noticed all of my dive buddies who own AL30/AL40 tanks and rigging, leave their pony at home.

I've gotten my main rig tangled up a few times in the past. Having an easily detachable pony gives me the ability to ditch the main rig & swim around with just the pony while I work to resolve the problem. Different diving environments present different challenges. I like to keep my options open.

When I started sidemount, the first time I detached a tank, and breathed from the unequipped tank was a little wild.

 

[billgraham]

I've looked at the options for back mounting a pony bottle and I'm not thrilled with them.

My Current BP / W has a piece of C channel that the main tank straps onto, and of course no accommodation for a pony. Most of the pony systems I have seen either strap onto the main tank, or else attack to the main tank straps. I have yet to see a system where each tank is held independently with it's own straps and they can be easily removed and replaced without affecting the other tank. Some attempt and balancing them side to side would also be nice (i.e. main slightly off to one side and pony further to the other side).

Is anyone aware of a mounting system that allows main and pony to be removed without touching the other one? Maybe a piece of tee profile material mounted to the back plate with a set of straps on each side, or perhaps a W shaped plate that holds the tanks in the correct separation?

I think I have the hardware for this, I'll dig it out if you have any interest. I recall it has a quick release and some ability to rotate the pony bottle and lock it in close to your back. It has two mounts for main tanks and one for the pony bottle so you can just pop it off and mount it on another tank for a second dive.

WG

 

[billgraham]

Since I acquired an AL19, I haven't gone a dive without redundant air. The few times I haven't had the AL19, were when traveling (I acquired a 6cu dirt-cheap) or doing sidemount (2x AL80s). The AL19 is lightweight, convenient, easy to lug around on land and ladders, and doesn't get in the way.

I have never tried diving with an AL30 or AL40 as a slung-pony and I'd like to try it. However, I've noticed all of my dive buddies who own AL30/AL40 tanks and rigging, leave their pony at home.


When I started sidemount, the first time I detached a tank, and breathed from the unequipped tank was a little wild.

Well right, if you have steel tanks you'll be pinned to the ceiling.

 

[billgraham]

When I started sidemount, the first time I detached a tank, and breathed from the unequipped tank was a little wild.

Sure, if you have steel tanks, you're pinned to the ceiling!