TinoD'Voe:
I ended up buying an oxycheq rig that comes with the koplin plate. I'm looking forward to test this baby out tomorrow. I've seen around the boards people talking about the custom lead weight that can be screwed into the middle of the backplate. If there's a place I can order this for my setup please let me know.
It isn't clear whether you're diving doubles or singles. "Middle of the backplate", however, sounds more like a P weight...let's start there.
A "P" weight is a trim weight also called a channel weight that fits on the
inside of the backplate. It bolts down into the channel (hence the name) that runs down the center of the plate, fitting between your back and the plate, and is used (most often) when the diver is diving singles.
A "V" weight is a trim weight that fits on the
outside of the backplate. It slides onto the bolts coming off your bands before you slide your backplate onto them, and the "V" shape fits down in between your doubles and your backplate. Hence it's only used (obviously) when the diver is diving doubles.
Just to confuse the issue further, a 'trim weight' is any fixed, non-ditchable weight that is bolted to your rig somewhere in a manner that fine tunes the diver's trim in the water. Trim weights can also be standard weights run onto your tankstraps. Some divers have used "Half V" or "Half P" weights, depending on doubles or singles, by bolting these either to the top bolt or the bottom bolt only. They simply break or saw the lead bar in half.
P and V weights are generally solid lead bars, which tend to be pretty robust and don't often break. Some, however, have taken to using neoprene bags with grommets in each end to fit over the bolts. These bags are filled with lead shot. I'm not sure what the advantages to such options are, if any, but the downside is that any failure of the neoprene, due to a nick or whatever, can dump the lead shot all over the dive boat and screw up your dive. I'd suggest that you initially stick with the option offering fewer possibilities for failure.
V weights (solid lead bars) are sold by Halcyon and FredT (who is a member of this board). Many divers pour their own - if you do a search there are threads that describe how with photos. There may also be other retailers who sell the lead shot bags, however, I don't use them and am not aware of who makes the bags.
P weights are a bit harder to find, the one guy I know who offers them is FredT and I suggest you PM him. Again, many divers pour their own - if you're into working with molten lead and have a Do-It-Yourself orientation, go for it. (Uh, this option only works for stainless steel plates...don't dump molten lead onto your aluminum plate...
)
Another option you should consider if diving singles is, instead of a P-weight, a weighted STA. P weights from Fred only weigh around 7 lbs or so with the holes bored for the wingnuts to ride in. A weighted STA weighs 6 lbs, (you could add to it if you wanted), and they're easier to deal with than P weights. (V-weights come in eight, ten, or eleven lbs or can be poured to any weight you want.)
Weighted STAs are also available from Halcyon. Scroll to the bottom of the page:
http://www.halcyon.net/mc/weights.shtml
Best of luck,
Doc
