80 hp steel tank too small for BP/W Setup?

[tau]

This really bites!

I just put together a hammerhead plate and an oxycheq wing for my BP/W setup. Now that I got it all together, I realize that the two cam bands are too far apart to fit my 80hp steel tank. The bottom STA hits the Tank Protector and the top band is 1/4 of an inch off the tank.

Please help! has anyone come across this. Should I take off the tank protector? Or should I leave it the way it is? Except for the 1/4 inch off the top, the thing is pretty steady.

:11:

 

[tau]

Please don't tell me I need another tank. Please......

 

[jonnythan]

You could easily cut a notch in the tank protector to fit the STA in there, or just take it off. I would advise against letting the tank sit so low cause it can mess with trim and prevent you from reaching your tank valve.

 

[tau]

hmmm. good point. Are the tank protectors really worth leaving on?

 

[jonnythan]

Please don't tell me I need another tank. Please......

Definitely not!! Take off the boot, then either just leave it off, or cut a notch where the STA goes!

 

[jonnythan]

hmmm. good point. Are the tank protectors really worth leaving on?

IMO, they're nice for single tanks because they can't stand up without them. They're not at all necessary, and you DO need to take them off to rinse under them if you're diving in salt water, which can make them more trouble than they're worth.

 

[tau]

Ok. I just checked, cutting a notch will only give me a flush top band.

 

[tau]

IMO, they're nice for single tanks because they can't stand up without them. They're not at all necessary, and you DO need to take them off to rinse under them if you're diving in salt water, which can make them more trouble than they're worth.

If I take off the boot, wouldn't the tank get scratched on the bottom when I sit down. Will the bottom start rusting?

 

[SeanQ]

If I take off the boot, wouldn't the tank get scratched on the bottom when I sit down. Will the bottom start rusting?

If you're careful with your tanks you can prevent them from getting scratched up. When you're shore diving lay the rig down so the cam buckles are touching the ground. When boat diving the tank should be secured to the boat so there is no chance of it tipping over anyways.

What type of exterior finish is on the tank?

 

[flyguy]

I had the exact same problem using my DR Transplate and my HP 80 tanks. The STA hits the tank boot and the top cam strap is too high on the tank.

To fix this, I took the top cam strap from being threaded through the STA and threaded it through the holes in the back plate and wing that were about 2" lower.

You could do the same thing with the bottom strap but it's not really required.

Works perfectly and the tank is nice and secure. PM me if you want a picture of what I'm attempting to describe.