Tips for backmounting an AL19 pony?

[afieldofblue]

Here a video showing what I'd do a poor job of communicating in multiple paragraphs

Thanks - I'd seen it but on watching again more closely it might be a little problematic as the all the clamps seem to be welded on the pole in a set position, which might make height adjustment difficult, especially if I ever need to a accomodate a shorter tank like the 10L steels they have here.

I got here a few months ago in winter still figuring out the rental tank options here.
It's a little strange because it's mixed steel/aluminium because of the temperature range, and due to body size/air consumption Japanese divers prefer shorter tanks.

I have no issues with steel, especially if I'm still diving dry like I am now, but the longer tanks are 12L steels, and but not all filling stations have them.
That said, given that it's also warm water half the year, there are aluminium tanks as well, AL80s or local alu equivalent.
The Shark system, with its set attachment points, might be off the list because of this question of variability of tank sizes.
I'll probably get my own tanks in the future, but because of local complications and the fact that I live in an appartment and not a house will be a progressive and calculated endeavour.

Okinawa's a strange place, because there is also a parallel circuit of military SOFA personel stationed here, with their own on-base dive shops (Tsunami Scuba), filling stations, which don't need to comply with national Japanese regulations (like KHK certificatiosn for tanks), but I don't have access to this and am on the local Japanese circuit when it comes to equipment sales, tanks and fills.

 

[afieldofblue]

It's rock solid! I don't go in the water without my pony regardless of dive plan. Even on doubles I still sling a 40. The spare tank is my best friend and more loyal than my wife.

There is zero movement felt or imagined with the quick draw system. The pins are quite solid and a near perfect fit. I can get the tank to jostle a little bit by hand but it doesn't equate to movement in the water or when walking.

Thanks for that - this might be a nice option on an independent cam band, more flexible than something like the Shark with its set attachments. Might be a little tricky to get sent over here (most sellers I found where in the United States and shipping in the CONUS only), but it seems like a solid (pun intended) option with my setup.

 

[afieldofblue]

I have seen people use an old STA. Cut a second set of slots, mount it to the tank cambands and then the mini-cambands (or adjustable screw clamps covered then with 20-23mm racing bicycle tube) through the newly cut slots for the pony.

My ID doubles still has a 30cf pony mounted using an old STA. But I mostly sling now, easier for me usually.

Yes, I think this is the solution I had on the rig a used a few years back, for a backmounted steel pony, or maybe it was the slider-type solution others have mentioned.
My memory is a little blurry, as I only used it a few times but liked it. DIY / refurbished is certainly possible for this, I just need to find something that can work well with my gear.

On the steel/aluminium sissue, given how impossible it is to find smaller KHK certified smaller tanks, I'm grateful to have found this KHK re-certified Luxfer AL19, which is a really unicorn, allowing me to get fills in standard Japanese stations.
As I mentioned above, most people with non-standard tanks I've talked to here (people with rebreather cylinders, bailouts and stages) just use transfill whips and give up on hydros.
Which is fine, but quite illegal as well, and could cause issues.

I looked at the process to get a DOT cylinder KHK re-certified for legal use in Japan, and it's a lot of work, time and money...
anyway, thanks again

 

[gamon]

With correctly side mounted tanks I can touch my dpv D ring or drysuit inflator to the bottom before any other piece of gear makes contact.

With my slung 19cf pony my BCD corrugated hose touches the bottom before the tank gets even close. And I have the hose snugged up tight.