How to mount Dive-rite travel wing on FredT backplate?

[scotter]

A lot of good ideas floatin' around (thanks pdoege, awap, & FredT)...

I think I am leaning towards doing the travelwing/STA/plate after going back and forth a bit.

FredT,
A few questions/clarification on your ideas:

Option 1 - Is only one of the STA (place near center of tank) used while the wing is attached to the plate in two places via bolts and fender washers?

Option 2 - Is the purpose of the 1.25" aluminum strip to provide a hold-down for the wing due to the "W" shape of the STAs? This would allow you to avoid separately bolting the wing to the plate?

 

[Boogie711]

Dive Rite Travel Wing - Dive Rite Express, $268 plus shipping.

Oxycheq 30 pound wing, designed for a backplate already... $225 INCLUDING shipping!

And Chris at COVCI kicks butt. He's really good to deal with. Stay away from the Travel wing, get the Oxycheq.

 

[scotter]

Boogie,

I already have the TPII/Travelwing combo so if I can retrofit the travelwing to a plate, it'll save me on buying a new wing. Otherwise I would agree with you on buying the Oxycheq.

More than anything, this is an experiment to see how I like the bp/w setup vs. the TPII/travelwing setup...

 

[FredT]

scotter once bubbled...

Option 1 - Is only one of the STA (place near center of tank) used while the wing is attached to the plate in two places via bolts and fender washers?

A single short STA is enough to hold the tank. 2 gives more stability and redundancy. the travelwing has a center web, so bolting through that makes sense, then just tack down the ends. Takes one 11/32 hole in the middle of the plate, a couple #10 tapped holes and 3 grommets.

scotter once bubbled...

Option 2 - Is the purpose of the 1.25" aluminum strip to provide a hold-down for the wing due to the "W" shape of the STAs? This would allow you to avoid separately bolting the wing to the plate?

Right, then no additional holes if you use the 9.5" spaced ones in the center of the plate, and probably no holes in the wing. (I'd have to check spacing to be sure.) Either way it's an easy hacksaw and hand drill (for the flat bar) fix. 1.25 x 36 flat AL is available from home depot for under $10. ANY drill will blow through soft AL. Just radius and tape the ends or use a chunk of inner tube to avoid chafe on the wing.

FT

 

[buff]

I have a heavy, short backplate with a one peice STA from Fred T. To this I have mounted a Dive Rite Rec wing.

It is great in the water, absolutely fantastic. A little heavy out of the water.

I use it with singles all the time and it's fantastic. I can't imagine anything better. And I can use it with doubles this winter.

Whatever option you go for DO NOT buy another $300.00 BC that isn't custom made. You can easily purchase backplate, harness, and wing and make a BC that fits you and not always be trying to fit a BC. I did it, so anyone can do it. Fred guides you through the whole thing.

Fred T. is "the man"!!!!!!!!!!

 

[scotter]

Well... I bit the bullet and put in an order for a FredT plate. I am going to try out the AL strip idea and mount up the travelwing. I'll post a report once I get everything put together. I will also post a pic if it looks purdy.

As a side note... I just noticed a rip in one of the straps of my TPII harness There's a velcro strap on the shoulder piece of the back pad that attaches to the shoulder strap pad. Its not a structural strap, but it holds the shoulder strap pad in place. Gonna test out the warranty service with leisurepro...

 

[scotter]

I got the FredT plate today... it looks great. My plan is to do the finish work this weekend (ordered it as-cut).

I went ahead and matched up my travelwing to the plate and it looks like it may work without any additional material/work. Take a look at the attached picture.

The STA adapters clamp down on the fabric backing of the wing and hold it in place. The middle strap can be moved to the side of the bolts to allow the wing to be centered.

I'll experiment with the wing placement once I get it wet. I can vary the position about 1-1.5in up from what I have in the pic (in relation to the plate).

 

[scotter]

Please.... no accusations of trying to jack up my count.

Here's another view of the same config.

 

[scotter]

One other possibility, would be to treat this as a stand-alone single-tank wing. While the wing would not hold very well (or not at all) without a tank on, it could work this way.

What would be better is to add 4-6 grommets to the wing and drill then run bolts through the trapezoid sides of the plate. This would hole the wing in place.

I am going to try out the STA clamp-down route 1st to see how it holds in place while diving. If it slides around, I will experiment a bit more.

edit: spelling mistake and clarification