STA for dive rite backplate?

[GreenDiverDown]

Anyone know which of these STA's mentioned, or another, spaces the tank the farthest up off of the BP? I realize this isn't the STA's job, but by design some do it more than others.

Dave, the difference is in a fraction of an inch and is hardly noticeable. For instance, a standard Halcyon plate sets the cylinder back a half of an inch from the plate whereas a heavy FredT (a huge STA) only adds a quarter of an inch. I have a pic around here somewhere that shows the difference. I'll look around.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Here ya go...

 

[darylm74]

Oxycheq works as well !

Ron

I second the Oxycheq. It works fine with my Koplin and Dive Rite plates

 

[Mambo Dave]

Here ya go...

Stephen, can I tell you how many ways you are da man!?!?

Thanks for the info and the picture. Obviously I'm trying to get a little space back there.

Diving with an old LP120 is very do-able, but I'd like to be able to bring it up on my back to balance out trim. I could do that now, but banging my head off of the DR first stage isn't one of those diving experiences I relish. :11doh:

Now when I look at the comparison pictures, from the tip of the backplate it really doesn't seem like more than a 1/16 of an inch spacing difference. The total on both seem about 3/4", give or take 1/16". Am I looking at 'em wrong?

But that 3/4 inch might be what I'm looking for.

It does seem that the FredT BP, if that is what the STA is on, spaces out a single tank 1/2 an inch more than the Halcyon though. That alone is interesting, as I've never thought about that dimension of BP's.

Anyone else use an STA to bring up and space out a big tank?

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Now when I look at the comparison pictures, from the tip of the backplate it really doesn't seem like more than a 1/16 of an inch spacing difference. The total on both seem about 3/4", give or take 1/16". Am I looking at 'em wrong?

You are right. It has been awhile since I looked at this and I just forgot the actual difference. The photo shows it pretty well. The amount of set back from the plate is about the same... 3/4 ".

It does seem that the FredT BP, if that is what the STA is on, spaces out a single tank 1/2 an inch more than the Halcyon though. That alone is interesting, as I've never thought about that dimension of BP's.

Pretty much right. Here are another couple of pics. The first is a comparison of the angle and thickness of a FredT 9# plate and a standard Halcyon. The second shows an Al80 mounted on a Halcyon standard plate and sta and an Al80 on a FredT 9# plate and heavy sta. Though the angle of each photo is a little different, I believe the difference in overall set back is about a 1/2" more for the FredT.

 

[meekal]

d@mnnnnnnn freddie makes one phat plate!

 

[Mambo Dave]

d@mnnnnnnn freddie makes one phat plate!

LOL, that's what I was thinking - well, that, and I was wondering if I'd ever be able to get back up off of the bottom with the FredT BP & STA, lol. Cripes is that thick steel.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that the angled shots did not do the difference justice, and that the even more angled sides, or wings, of the FredT BP are gonna push a cylinder even farther away. And it ain't like the FredT BP is gonna flex once on the back, lol.

Stephen, you're right - Fred's STA is industrial. Now I like quality as much as the next guy - maybe even more than most - but can someone explain the theory behind the FredT steel equipment in thickness (which, alone, is understandable) AND massiveness? Perhaps all in an effort to serve drysuit wearers' buoyancy?

 

[GreenDiverDown]

d@mnnnnnnn freddie makes one phat plate!

Oh... no... that one is pretty skinny!

The one in the pic is 3/16". His fatty is twice that width.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Stephen, you're right - Fred's STA is industrial. Now I like quality as much as the next guy - maybe even more than most - but can someone explain the theory behind the FredT steel equipment in thickness (which, alone, is understandable) AND massiveness? Perhaps all in an effort to serve drysuit wearers' buoyancy?

FredT plates come in a variety of sizes, thicknesses and weights including a standard size plate that is similar in thickness and weight to most conventional plates that you might be more familiar with.

As you guessed, the reason behind the thicker heavier plates is to accomodate various weighting requirements. For instance, I have one of his 3/8" plates that weighs 15 pounds that I use with my double Al80s and drysuit.