Tank mounting on new Diverite backplate and wing.

[Eric Sedletzky]

I have an old OMS plate that I modified heavily.
I welded two 3/8" rods on either side of the channel to form a solid built-in anti roll system.
The wing and tank sit solidly on the rods. It also added a touch of weight.
However before all this, I got frustrated with how those doubles plate dived, and I hated poodle jackets with all their flopping around and extra fabric and the fact that I felt like a stuffed sausage. So I fabricated and came up with my own plate.
The only reason I decided to revive this old 25 yo OMS doubles plate is because I actually have a new set of baby doubles I'm setting up.
Plus I just like to weld on stuff and tinker with metal.

 

[lexvil]

Just buy an STA

 

[Searcaigh]

I don't mean the derail this thread, but the same thing happened to me with the Halcyon weighted STA. I loved the added weight, but how have you handled the bolts being too long? Did you find plastic or rubber covers to put over them?

Yes there are plastic covers that go over the bolts, which the local LDS was unaware off, and my good buddy @outofofficebrb gave me her spare pair until the LDS provided me with two pieces, but the damage had already been done.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

Yes there are plastic covers that go over the bolts, which the local LDS was unaware off, and my good buddy @outofofficebrb gave me her spare pair until the LDS provided me with two pieces, but the damage had already been done.

Hummm. I wonder where I might get a couple of those pieces? May need to email Halcyon.

 

[inquis]

I would simply cut them to length with a hacksaw and clean the ends up with a file. Or just buy new bolts at the HW store. Even with caps, if they're too long they'll still poke you.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

I would simply cut them to length with a hacksaw and clean the ends up with a file. Or just buy new bolts at the HW store. Even with caps, if they're too long they'll still poke you.

The bolts are embedded in the lead weight that goes inside the Halcyon STA, so replacing them is a non-starter. Cutting and cleaning them would be ideal, and I may pursue that option one day. For now, I have just stopped using it. But since I really like it with my 7mm suit, I may tackle the project one day.

 

[Badger7]

In addition to cutting down and smoothing the ends of the bolts, if you're feeling spendy, you might consider switching to delrin speed nuts as there is zero chance of them ripping up a wetsuit or drysuit. I use these for my doubles. Careful - various STA bolts might be 3/8, 5/16, or M8 thread, and there are delrin speed nuts in all three sizes.

 

[Divin'Papaw]

In addition to cutting down and smoothing the ends of the bolts, if you're feeling spendy, you might consider switching to delrin speed nuts as there is zero chance of them ripping up a wetsuit or drysuit. I use these for my doubles. Careful - various STA bolts might be 3/8, 7/16, or M8 thread, and there are delrin speed nuts in all three sizes.

View attachment 878267

Already use those and many others like them. I've NEVER used wing nuts.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

I like the idea of using zip ties, but I'd be afraid the tank squishing the ties against the metal grommet would pinch them off after a few uses. Guess I'll have to try it out.

Never had that happen using a HOG wing and plate. I just ran them through the holes in the wing and plate. There are three holes in the wing and the plate. Run the zip tie through two of them. Only need to do the top but some people did put one in the bottom. No need to run through the cam band slots.

 

[Umuntu]

I like the idea of using zip ties, but I'd be afraid the tank squishing the ties against the metal grommet would pinch them off after a few uses. Guess I'll have to try it out.

Unlike @Jim Lapenta I use zip ties through the cam band slots on one of my BPW because the holes on the plate and the wing don’t align.

My experience is that there’s no material friction between the zip ties and cylinder, probably because of the anti-roll cushions, and I expect to go years before needing to replace. I expect that at some point they will need replacement, because almost all plastic gets brittle with age.

With the zip ties tied through the cam band slots they are under the cam bands on the front side of the wing and are invisible when looking at the BPW. If threaded through the holes they will be visible.