Problem with doubles wing.

[CuNanoTube]

Note: I do not dive doubles, I have an STA, so the tank is securely attached.
I recently purchased a WTX system (harness, back plate, weight pockets, wing) used, and ended up with a horseshoe WTX 4 wing with 45 pounds of lift. I have dove with it 4 times with my standard AL 80 and have noticed the same problems on every dive. I am hoping for some suggestions on how (or if) I can solve these problems without buying a single tank wing.
1. "Taco-ing" - The wing likes to wrap around the tank, I have heard using shock cord or surgical tubing helps, as well as clipping the wing to the plate. I would do this but the wing has no place to clip onto, and I have no idea how much shock cord to order.

2. The dump valve. I have found I have had to break trim to vent in the vertical position using corrugated hose. The dump valve located on the right side does not like to work when I pull it. This as far as I can tell is due to the air being distributed through the barely inflated wing / being trapped on the left side.

3. Getting the air to the right side of the wing to dump. This seems to be a skills thing. I have yet to figure out how to get the air to the right side to dump, tips would be appreciated. All my planned dives for the next 2 weeks are training dives for the specific purpose of getting used to my new kit, so suggesting a drill or two would be helpful.

4. The handle of the dump. I dive in cold water with a wet suit. As of such I wear three finger mitts. I am having trouble grabbing the relatively small handle on the dump in these mitts. Would it be a problem if I were to increase the size of the handle? (I am an open water diver so snagging is not a real concern)

Thanks in advance for any tips given.

A little off topic, How far down should my shoulder D-Rings sit? They are at my clavicle right now and they feel a little high. If this is a preference thing tell me.

 

[TSandM]

Well, this is one of the issues with having a wing with way too much lift. When you put gas in the wing, it moves to the highest point in the side pontoons. If they are big, they will "taco", and this makes the wing difficult to vent. It requires breaking trim to move the gas, either to the inflator hose or the rear dump. This is why a properly sized wing is a much better choice.

I would be a little reluctant to put a bigger toggle on the dump valve cord. One of the problems with those toggles is that they can get caught under the tank and end up "auto-dumping" the wing; sometimes this problem cannot be fixed unless the gear is loosened up and the toggle is freed. There are at least a couple of stories on SB of people getting into significant trouble because of this.

Chest d-rings should roughly be located where your thumbs hit, if you put your arms straight out to the side, and then bend the elbows and bring your thumbs to your chest.

 

[knowone]

D rings live, half way between your collar bone and your axilla.

 

[50Fathom]

I'm gonna be the dick here.

Get a singles wing. Period.

You are asking how to make a doubles-wing, (a device NEVER designed for single-tank diving), work for single-tank diving.

Every suggestion here will be a compromise or work-around for a less-than-optimal gear configuration.

Look, it's "mean", it's "dickish", I know, but just bite the bullet and get the proper wing.

You'll thank me later.

(You [and others] are gonna curse me now, but that's OK. I'm right. Get the correct and properly-configured gear. You'll be good.)

 

[DevonDiver]

@50fathom... it's good advice. 45lb is a huge volume for diving with a single AL80. The problems that the OP is encountering are pretty typical for an over-sized wing. It actually amuses me that some companies advertise wings of this size as singles or 'mixed singles-doubles' wings.

If the wing is still in good condition, it'd be worth seeing what you could get for it on Ebay. Use that money to buy yourself something more suitable.

 

[Ste Wart]

Everyone's been pretty spot on with the advice.

The WTX4 is far more suitable for a small twinset, e.g. double 7s.

As far the D-rings. They should be situated around nipple height or slightly above.

 

[Outlaw13]

The WTX3 would have been a better solution. However it will still wrap around the cylinder. Being a doughnut shape though air migration is easier to manage. I think you should also find the pull dumps vent better if you can pull the cord away from the dump rather than at an angle.

 

[CuNanoTube]

Well, the wing had 2-3 dives on it when I got it in the deal (no choice on the wing, read it could be used for both), and I have put 4 on it. If I were to re-package it you could not tell it was used. Anyways, I was thinking of picking up a HOG 32lb doughnut.

 

[CuNanoTube]

I'm gonna be the dick here.

Get a singles wing. Period.

You are asking how to make a doubles-wing, (a device NEVER designed for single-tank diving), work for single-tank diving.

Every suggestion here will be a compromise or work-around for a less-than-optimal gear configuration.

Look, it's "mean", it's "dickish", I know, but just bite the bullet and get the proper wing.

You'll thank me later.

(You [and others] are gonna curse me now, but that's OK. I'm right. Get the correct and properly-configured gear. You'll be good.)

Well, you are not really being a dick (aside from your tone). I asked if it could be made to work, and the response so far is no.

 

[50Fathom]

Well, you are not really being a dick (aside from your tone). I asked if it could be made to work, and the response so far is no.

Well I was half in the bag when I wrote that, so I apologize for the tone or if it came off like a prick.