Backplate Question

[Fouremco]

I've been diving singles using a BP/W for the last couple of months and have been very happy with my set up. The only problem I'm experiencing is mounting it on the tanks (rentals to date) at a consistent height. Obviously, that makes such a difference to my trim.

BCD's normally have a strap that slips over the tank valve to provide that consistency, but the BP/W, in my case a Transplate, has no similar feature. Other backplates I've seen don't appear to have one either. Is this something that people simply rig themselves, or do they just make the adjustment visually?

Any comments would be welcome, as would photos if you've rigged one.

 

[Splitlip]

This is kinda of weak, but when I used to dive with a basic backpack and OPT's(other peoples tanks), I would slip the back pack on the tank, rest the bottom of my fist on the top of the pack (plate) and point my index finger at the tank for a point of reference.. For me the sweet spot was the bottom of the neck.

 

[Scared Silly]

I basically eye ball it. Most rental tanks are AL80s so you get used to knowing the "correct" position.

 

[Fouremco]

Hmmm, thanks SplitLip, perhaps not as accurate as a strap, but a lot more effective for me than eye-balling!

 

[USCG flyer]

I have a Trek wing on my plate, what I do is kinda simple. Once I found the "right" position I just made a mark on the wing and I line it up with the yoke connection on the tank. Basically, I just gives you a reference, YMMV.

 

[jeckyll]

On my wing I check the distance from the end of the tank to the start of the wing. HTH

 

[The Kraken]

You can also put a narrow piece of duct tape around one of your hoses.
When the tank strap and the duct tape line up, voilla!!!, it's correctly set.

the K

 

[kidspot]

or tie a piece of cave line to the top bolt in your wing and make a loop so that it works like one of those loops from your old bcd. Personally I just put the top cam band right an inch below the crown of the tank and it's correct for me.

Aloha, Tim

 

[Fouremco]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Let's see, one hand to hold, one to measure, one to tighten the cam, one to...

 

[rickyd]

I like the idea of marking a hose with duct tape to align with a cam band. For me, I just position the top of my wing to be in line with the neck of the tank, below the valve. This position works well for me on Al80s, HP100 and 130.