Plastic Backplate questions

[kelemvor]

Greetings,

Currently I'm diving a hollis aluminum backplate with a diverite wing. I have a stainless STA on it and I dive Steel LP108 tanks. As I've become more comfortable in the water, I've been able to eliminate all the lead I had been carrying. The problem is that I'm still negative with this setup and no air in the bladder. I don't want to go to a smaller tank, and I didn't love how the tank would sit cockeyed on the bakcplate with no STA installed.

I've seen a few ABS backplate out there, and I'm pretty sure I saw an ABS STA somewhere too. I was thinking of switching out the plate and STA for these ABS parts. I'm looking for opinions on whether or not the ABS will be strong enough when I'm geared up on the surface with that heavy tank attached. Has anyone else ever used an abs plate/sta with a steel tank that could comment?

 

[fjpatrum]

I have a plate I made out of Schedule 40 PVC to exactly match my Salvo SS plate. Works great. I've also seen an STA made this way. Basically cut a piece of 4" PVC and attach. I think by doing that I'd go from ~5 or 6 pounds down to 2.

If you're not into that, I use the "Tank stabilizer" (I think it's Dive Rite) instead of a full STA. It's basically just 2 small "open U" shapes about 2 inches wide that stabilize the tank but don't add nearly as much weight as a full STA. Works great on my 80s and I suspect would work just as well on 108s. (I never knew they were supposed to be for doubles... just knew they were lighter and I don't need extra weight, usually.)
Here's a link, though there are cheaper prices out there: Buy Dive Rite Stabilizer Plate from Leisure Pro

 

[diversteve]

I don't know if your wing will work with their BP but DSS sells a Kydex/steel wing. No STA required with their system afaik. Less than 1lb. negative.

https://www.deepseasupply.com/index.php?product=5

 

[TONY CHANEY]

$214.00 for a Kydex plate? Screw that! I have been able to obtain a couple of them (plastic)for a project. So you can pick one up on the forums for about $15-75. I have never heard of anyone breaking one.

 

[Wookie]

The black ABS dive rite plates and STA's will not handle steels in the long term. I have a few broken ones to prove it if you'd like them.

 

[ronscuba]

How about:

- changing your wing to an Oxycheq or DSS you can eliminate the STA. Their wings have tank stabilizers.
- change the metal hardware to plastic. Tank cams, buckles.
- add a pad to your plate will add buoyancy.

This being said, how negative are you ? I use no additional weight when the water is > 80. No wetsuit, no additional weight. It's great.

 

[PfcAJ]

The black ABS dive rite plates and STA's will not handle steels in the long term. I have a few broken ones to prove it if you'd like them.

I don't want 'em, but I'd love to see the pics!!

 

[TONY CHANEY]

The black ABS dive rite plates and STA's will not handle steels in the long term. I have a few broken ones to prove it if you'd like them.

Depends on where they broke....it might work out well for my project. Pictures?

 

[Wookie]

I'm using them for non-diving related things, but one ripped from the upper bolt hole through the upper cam band strap slot, and the other ripped out the upper bolt hole in an arc. I'm guessing that the STA wasn't tight enough to the backplate, allowing the STA bolt to work the backplate until it broke.

 

[SailNaked]

I have seen positive floaty things you stick to a tank, like a foam block. or you could excercise less and get fat, that is what I did for this particular issue.