Question about my backplate setup

[GregV]

I purchased my first backplate last fall but haven't tried to put my kit together until recently, up to this point I have been diving with my Zeagle Ranger BC.
My question is that with the backplate and with or without the S.T.A installed that was supplied with it I cant reach my tank valve without removing my gear.
With my Ranger I didn't have this problem and could always reach my tank valve easily. I have tried putting the tank at various heights and positions but still cannot reach it without removing my gear.
The backplate is a custom job built with a deeper V than standard backplate's have meant for stability for doubles, but with a single tank it puts the valve about 8 inches behind my head. if I position the valve knob directly behind my head I can barely touch it with my finger tips.
With doubles I dont think this would be a problem since the V will go up between the tanks.

Does anybody else have this problem or did I purchase a backplate designed for something I'm not ready for yet? I dive with a pony so I'm not worried about running out of air if the valve gets turned off accidentally but I don't like the idea of having to remove my kit to get at it though.

 

[The Kraken]

In all probability the reason that you can't reach your valve on you BP/W is because your tank is sitting significantly further away from your back.

If you'll look down at your back plate, you will see how it's bent to prevent the bolts from digging into your back. You'll notice, also, the ridge running down the center of the plate is about 3/4 to 1 inch further away from your back than the plate itself.

With doubles, it's not too bad, but when you put a single tank up on that hump it's set a good distance away from you back as compared to you conventional B/C.

the K

 

[PerroneFord]

Can you reach it in the water? It's whole lot easier without gravity. Otherwise it looks like you needed a very different kind of plate than you bought. Why didn't you just get a standard DiveRite/Halcyon/DSS/Golem plate? You likely would't have had this issue.

 

[GregV]

Thanks for the input. I will eventually get into doubles so the plate will good for that but I doubt I'll be doing that this summer.
I was thinking of picking up an OMS Backplate since my bladder is OMS, I looked at the Halcyon setup at the LDS and the tank is much closer to your back than my setup is now, but I dont know how well a OMS bladder would work (or look) with a Halcyon plate.

 

[CompuDude]

If you use an STA, you can usually use any wing with any plate. The 11" spacing is the one thing that actually is a standard.

I'd pick up a different plate for singles, based on what you're experiencing. It seems clear that plate is not good for singles use. And from what I understand, switching your rig between doubles and singles is a PITA anyway, so it's best to have two rigs.

 

[MSilvia]

It may be something you already know, but if not, you may find it easier to reach your valve if you reach with your elbow pointed forward instead of out to the side.

 

[redacted]

Or you can cheat a little. I release my waist buckle and then it's pretty easy getting to the valve.

 

[wunat]

Can you reach it in the water? It's whole lot easier without gravity.

This is very true. Try it underwater while maintaining a horizontal posture (even better). It makes reaching the valve easier.

 

[GregV]

Yeah I've tried reaching it while horizontal underwater but still no dice, thats why I started slinging my 40 as a pony. I have looked at DSS plates and their pretty flat and looks like they will work pretty well with single's. I like this backplate I have now but I'll probably put it up till I'm ready for doubles and pick up one of the DSS backplates for this summer.

Thanks ya'll for the input and advice.

 

[radinator]

One of the features of the Deep Sea Supply plate that I have (and something that I liked about it) is that it has a very shallow V shape. This puts the tank closer to me, but I also find it is more comfortable than my other, deeper V-shape plate.

Although I have limited dives with doubles so far I've noticed no difference in the doubles stability on the plate.