Fred T backplate question -- STAs

[large_diver]

Looking for comments on FredT's STAs -- the "heavy" single piece STA and the "light" 2 piece STA.

In Fred's product description document, he comments that users of larger LP or HP 120 tanks will want to strongly consider the 2 piece STA for more flexibility in tank mounting when singling up.

I am having trouble picturing how the two piece STA works and why it provides more flexibility (I will likely be using larger tanks). Can anyone offer some comments on this?

Thanks!

 

[Scubaroo]

Personal experience -

I have a Halcyon 6lb backplate, and FredT's heavy STA (5lb). Add to that a -10lb 95LP steel tank, and I've 2/3 of my total weighting on my back - not the best trim. I'm head down in the water! With an aluminum tank however, it is fine, as I can put more weight on my hips to make up my total weight requirements, and my trim is much better - perfect horizontal. I've promised FredT I'd be buying one of his 2 piece STAs so I can shift some of my overall weight back onto my hips. I think the heavy STA is just too much weight on my back to use with a heavy LP steel tank (for me anyway).

Ben

 

[FredT]

The 2-piece STAs are simply much shortened versions of the long heavy one. The heavy STA has fixed tank band positions 11" apart. The 2-piece STA consists of two independant units that accept one plate bolt and one tank band each. The single units can be used independantly due to the "W" shape of the STA. This allows the tank bands to be placed at any bolt hole location in the plate and remain aligned and stable. Minimum band spread with the light set is now 9.5", but the maximum spread is 12.5". This allows the tank to be located to provide the best trim for the diver. Long LP120s and short HP80s can provide for some problems trim wise with a single Heavy STA due to tank shoulder spacing. The 2-piece light STA simply allows more flexibility in tank placement with tanks at both ends of the size extreme.

FT

 

[large_diver]

A response straight from the "source"...

Thanks Fred, I probably should have just e-mailed you directly!

 

[Windknot]

My only concern lays not with Fred's gear (Totally awesome) but if you are using a PIONEER wing from Halcyon. My 36# only came with one set of mounting holes. That limits the amount of movability of the Individual STA pieces.

I was considering burning a couple of extra holes in the Pioneer wing 'till I took a closer look at the way it is made. NOT A GOOD IDEA. The PIONEER wing will only allow for the factory holes to be used, ergo there will be a limited amount of movement up and down that you can play with your tank for trim.

What you CAN do however is bag the STA holes for the strap use and use the original tank strap holes that came on the PIONEER wing. FredT's holes on the back plate match up exactly with them
_______________________________________________

Therein lies the problem. Nothing with Fred's gear, Halcyon dropped the ball on the mounting holes. Us single tank guys need trim too!!!!!!!!!

Just my essentially newbie, basic trial and error $.02 worth

 

[ChrisM]

On my 36# Pioneer, the ones where the STA and tank strap holes are not included in the wing, there are two or three mounting holes on top and two or three on bottom.

 

[Blargh]

Originally posted by ChrisM
On my 36# Pioneer, the ones where the STA and tank strap holes are not included in the wing, there are two or three mounting holes on top and two or three on bottom.

yep