SS Backplate 6 or 12 pounds

[Safety Stop]

I want to know you tought about having a SS backplate of 12 pounds vs 6 pounds for a double 130. I want to know your advise.

 

[Otter]

we probably need to know a little bit more info....first off WHY are you considering the heavier plate? How much weight do you dive with now. What type of exposure suit? What is your weight/height. Boat diving or shore?

 

[nereas]

I want to know you tought about having a SS backplate of 12 pounds vs 6 pounds for a double 130. I want to know your advise.

For my twin 130s, I myself use a 6 lb steel backplate, together with a 14 lbs weight belt in cold waters.

I see no need for a heavier backplate with this rig. I hardly feel the 14 lbs around my waste. And a heavier backplate might adversely affect trim, and cause you to have a tendancy to turn turtle.

I have found 6 lbs to be perfect.

If you were diving aluminum twins, then 12+ lbs makes sense for a backplate. But not for steel.

 

[meekal]

OTTER is right on, but for a point of reference, i bought an ALUM backPlate for diving in doubles.... the sheer weight of my (meager) LP95 doubles is MORE than enough weight in fresh water in a drysuit..... i'm 6'4" 290# so archimedes is NOT my friend. the SS would be overkill.

 

[Otter]

OTTER is right on, but for a point of reference, i bought an ALUM backPlate for diving in doubles.... the sheer weight of my (meager) LP95 doubles is MORE than enough weight in fresh water in a drysuit..... i'm 6'4" 290# so archimedes is NOT my friend. the SS would be overkill.

Agreed...on the surface (no pun intended), he is lugging a load of weight already with doubles 130s...

 

[Safety Stop]

OK, my fault.... forgot to mention :

I'm 6.1 feets, 215 pounds for my self

Equipment : - drysuit (neo 4 mm compressed) + undergarment (cold environnement... Canada)
- weight I'm using right now : 38 for soft water and 44 for sea water

Note : I hate weight belt so it's not an option :no


So.......

 

[cmufieldhockey8]

Note : I hate weight belt so it's not an option :no

Have you tried the DUI weight harnesses? They're much more comfy then weight belts.

 

[cool_hardware52]

OK, my fault.... forgot to mention :

I'm 6.1 feets, 215 pounds for my self

Equipment : - drysuit (neo 4 mm compressed) + undergarment (cold environnement... Canada)
- weight I'm using right now : 38 for soft water and 44 for sea water

Note : I hate weight belt so it's not an option :no


So.......

I would not recommend, in cold water, having 100% of your ballast on your rig.

You will very likely need a larger wing than you would need if you have some of your ballast on your person, weight belt or weight harness.

Even with a heavy plate, or weighted plate you will probably need a substantial weight belt.

If you need ~40 lbs of ballast now a 12-14 lbs back plate still leaves you 25-30 lbs short.

Tobin

 

[Safety Stop]

I would not recommend, in cold water, having 100% of your ballast on your rig.

You will very likely need a larger wing than you would need if you have some of your ballast on your person, weight belt or weight harness.

Even with a heavy plate, or weighted plate you will probably need a substantial weight belt.

If you need ~40 lbs of ballast now a 12-14 lbs back plate still leaves you 25-30 lbs short.

Tobin

Yes but if I add the weight of the 2 tanks + manifold, it could be less than that. For now, I'm using a Zeagle TEC BC so probably with a harness, I'll need less weight. The kit I'm looking right now is :

- Haclyon harness
- Explorer 55 Wing
- BP of 12 pounds
- 2 X 119 HP or 2 X 130 HP

So, I dont know if the wing will be enought with stage bottle (2x)??

Lot of questions, as you see ;-)

 

[cool_hardware52]

Yes but if I add the weight of the 2 tanks + manifold, it could be less than that. For now, I'm using a Zeagle TEC BC so probably with a harness, I'll need less weight. The kit I'm looking right now is :

- Haclyon harness
- Explorer 55 Wing
- BP of 12 pounds
- 2 X 119 HP or 2 X 130 HP

So, I dont know if the wing will be enought with stage bottle (2x)??

Lot of questions, as you see ;-)

SS,

Let's take a look at wing and weighting requirements for doubles.

HP 130's are -1 each, empty, 2x =2 lbs
Tank bands and manifold center section are about -5 lbs together
Dual first stage regs are about -5 lbs
SS back plate and Harness is about -6 lbs
Can light ~-2 lbs

Total ballast of rig with empty bottles is about - 20 lbs.

You need to start the dive negative by the weight of your back gas. 260 cuft air / nitrox = ~ -21 lbs. In addition you need to be able to sink your exposure suit. I can't estimate the buoyancy of your suit from the information provided, but if you currently need ~44 lbs of lead I can assume your suit is 30+ buoyant, maybe more.

If your suit is +30 lbs and you need to start the dive negative by at least the weight of your gas, you will need more than 50 lbs of total ballast.

Deco bottles should not be considered part of your weighting, and should not impact the size of the required wing. Al deco bottles a few lbs negative full and a few lbs positive empty, and they can be ditched, or lost.

If you need 50 + lbs of ballast a heavier plate is a start, but it will not even begin to solve your problem.

If you choose a 12-14 lbs plate and dual 130's your rig could be negative by ~47 lbs with full bottles.

If you are diving doubles you can easily and inexpensively add weight by placing soft weight pouches between the wing and backplate, but if you choose to add even more ballast to your rig you may need a larger wing. Your wing needs to be able to float your rig at the surface when it is at it's heaviest, i.e. with full tanks.

Remember this is just an example. You should determine how buoyant your exposure suit is, as it plays a significant role in determining total ballast requirements, and how large a wing you need.

Tobin