Tecline 290 Undergarment - crazy amount of lead to sink

[12345sg]

I purchased Tecline 290 undergarment 2 months ago to be finally able to dive in cold Michigan waters. It's thick and very comfortable in 45F-ish range, but i had to use 30LBS of lead to sink. Seems like insane amount of weigh. Is this normal ?

 

[lexvil]

Sounds about right for that type of undergarment

 

[z0rk0l]

I have the tecline 490 I need an extra 3kg then normal for that one

 

[Snusmumrik]

I purchased Tecline 290 undergarment 2 months ago to be finally able to dive in cold Michigan waters. It's thick and very comfortable in 45F-ish range, but i had to use 30LBS of lead to sink. Seems like insane amount of weigh. Is this normal ?

Depends of config you use - we know nothing about it.
Is "30LBS of lead" all your weight? You use steel or alu doubles?
Overall, if "30LBS of lead" is all your weights - i presume alu doubles with no V-weight,
alu backplate, and that's not insane.

 

[grantctobin]

I purchased Tecline 290 undergarment 2 months ago to be finally able to dive in cold Michigan waters. It's thick and very comfortable in 45F-ish range, but i had to use 30LBS of lead to sink. Seems like insane amount of weigh. Is this normal ?

How large are you? If this is an XS undergarment, 30 would be significant. If it’s XXL, it’s not. So many variables.

Body size? (Rhetorical, obv don’t feel need to answer this)
Which cylinders?
How much loft in the suit?
How many drysuit dives?
Additional gear? (A la canister light or heat battery, etc)

 

[12345sg]

Depends of config you use - we know nothing about it.
Is "30LBS of lead" all your weight? You use steel or alu doubles?
Overall, if "30LBS of lead" is all your weights - i presume alu doubles with no V-weight,
alu backplate, and that's not insane.

Im. 5.11 185lbs. This is with single al tank with stainless plate wing, carrying cutting device, small torch , compass. New to dry suit . Started diving dry 3 months ago.

 

[davehicks]

Im. 5.11 185lbs. This is with single al tank with stainless plate wing, carrying cutting device, small torch , compass. New to dry suit . Started diving dry 3 months ago.

Switch to a steel tank. You'll need less weight as the tank does not become positively buoyant at the end of the dive. Many new drysuit divers struggle with weighting when they first start. A few tips:

• Descend slowly
• Drysuit dump valve fully open
• Give your BC and Drysuit time to full deflate
• Exhale fully as you go below the water line
• Feel free to "duck dive" aka go feet up as you descend
• (the first couple feet at the start of a dive may find you slightly positive. Just a couple feet down you'll overcome that. If not, add 1-2 pounds at a time)

Do some buoyancy checks during your safety stop. If you have more than a little extra air in your BC or Suit at 15 feet you can possibly drop a little lead. Drop 1 pound at a time only.

 

[Snusmumrik]

Im. 5.11 185lbs. This is with single al tank with stainless plate wing, carrying cutting device, small torch , compass. New to dry suit . Started diving dry 3 months ago.

So, IMHO, 30 lbs of lead are not insane.
Alu cylinders are more buoyant than steel due to thick walls.
Thick undergarment adds buoyancy. Anything you wear under suit does this.
I'm 5'10", 190 lbs. For my rebreather, Subgear 490 undergarment and all my stuff
that i usually carry on to dive i need 26-27 lbs of lead in fresh water,
and 35-36 lbs in salt water. That's doesn't include pony tank/stages/bailout.
So, IMHO, wise way for you is to go shallow, inflate suit to feel comfort, and get neutral with 50 bars/700psi in cylinder.