Question Lead change going from BCD to BP/W?

[jtsma]

Hello

I recently purchased an XDeep Zen BP/W with a large SS backplate.

I'm used to diving a regular jacket-style BCD with a lead belt. I did another weight check recently and determined that I need 9kg in salt water. I dive a 7mm wetsuit with a 12L SS tank.

I'm trying to figure out how to set up my lead with the wing. I know it'll be some trial and error but I'm having a hard time figuring out a starting point.

Anyone that has experience switching to a wing and can help me set up an initial weight? I would also appreciate some tips about weight placement (all on belt or some on tank?)

Thanks!!

 

[OTF]

What material and weight is the backplate? The backplate itself will provide a couple of negative kg that a jacket BCD doesn't have.

Nothing beats going in the water for a proper weight check though, even if this takes some time. Your first BPW will require a couple rounds of adjustment and testing to get the straps and everything dialed in perfect anyway, so plan a shallow dive for testing, adjusting, and re-testing.

 

[johndiver999]

just weigh the steel backplate and whatever it weighs, remove that much from your lead. That is super simple and is a prefect place to start. You might eventually be able to remove another kg of lead, depending on the type of BC you used before.

 

[lexvil]

Depending on how much float the old b/c has, I think taking 6 pounds off to start and you may be able to take 2 to 4 more off after you do some in water buoyancy checking.

 

[BabyLitigator]

I've found that you can usually take off a bit more lead than the weight of the plate. Something about the jacket bcd's is just floatier. But at least what the plate weighs. Don't do less or you'll be heavy.

 

[pdwh]

One of the things I liked when I switched was better positioning of the weights. I use two cam bands and have trim pockets I can use on either or both depending on which exposure gear I'm using. I will sometimes put the trim pockets on the waist if I need the weight lower.

 

[Wallowa]

Hello

I recently purchased an XDeep Zen BP/W with a large SS backplate.

I'm used to diving a regular jacket-style BCD with a lead belt. I did another weight check recently and determined that I need 9kg in salt water. I dive a 7mm wetsuit with a 12L SS tank.

I'm trying to figure out how to set up my lead with the wing. I know it'll be some trial and error but I'm having a hard time figuring out a starting point.

Anyone that has experience switching to a wing and can help me set up an initial weight? I would also appreciate some tips about weight placement (all on belt or some on tank?)

Thanks!!

I dive a similar set-up....large SS plate is a little over 7.5lbs and like you I use a 7mm wet suit...BUT my suit is a full farmer john with attached hood [5'9"/170lbs]...with an 80cf tank...my weight belt is 18lbs...2x5lbs in waist band XDeep pouches and 2x5lbs in lower tank band side pouches...7mm booties and 3 mm gloves [40* water]...tried tank band pouches on upper band, could not trim...on lower band...great trim..

Cavet....the rig I describe is for use in fresh water....in salt water I add 3-4% more weight onto weight belt. Weight belt under crotch strap.

 

[dmaziuk]

Hello

I recently purchased an XDeep Zen BP/W with a large SS backplate.

I'm used to diving a regular jacket-style BCD with a lead belt. I did another weight check recently and determined that I need 9kg in salt water. I dive a 7mm wetsuit with a 12L SS tank.

I'm trying to figure out how to set up my lead with the wing. I know it'll be some trial and error but I'm having a hard time figuring out a starting point.

Anyone that has experience switching to a wing and can help me set up an initial weight? I would also appreciate some tips about weight placement (all on belt or some on tank?)

FWIW I used to us 10 lbs in rental jackets and am now using 10 lbs spread between the SS plate and camband trim pockets. I could drop 2 pounds from the trim weights but I prefer the little extra weight. The big caveat is this is for blue water, little to no neoprene, and AL80.

With a 7mm suit I'd look at my planned depth and figure out how much of the weight I'd want to be able to ditch in a hurry -- which would determine where to place it.