V-Weight installation?

[mahjong]

I did NOT say it's unworkable. I might ask a question, perhaps even skeptically toned, based on my imagining of the configuration, but before I would make a strong assertion of "unworkable" I would build it up to check it out. I have no doubt you have already done so.

BTW, I never "imagined" the weights "might" fall off in any of the ways you stated. I imagined that if there was a possible escape for the weights that it would be from one side or the other, for example if the tension between the center wing panel and the plate spine were not tight enough then enough shots could work there way over to one side and out pops the pouch. But then maybe the tanks are pressing there to keep them laterally secure. If so, then the only other concern I would have is that this method "might" rely heavily on the strength of the pouches themselves, on the tension of the shots pressing up against the edges of the pouches. I can guess where and how the weight would escape if a pouch were to burst. But I will quickly set it up in the morning, at which point I'm sure I'll end up edifying my imagination.

Where are the soft weights going to go? They cannot pass between the cylinders without passing *through* the wing.

They can't fall out the top or bottom because of the tank band bolts.

They can't pass through the back plate.

Maybe you should actual build up a rig *before* you decide it's unworkable.

This is not some exotic risky set up. My GUE fundies instructor first showed it to me.

Tobin

 

[cool_hardware52]

BTW, I never "imagined" the weights "might" fall off in any of the ways you stated. I imagined that if there was a possible escape for the weights that it would be from one side or the other, for example if the tension between the center wing panel and the plate spine were not tight enough then enough shots could work there way over to one side and out pops the pouch.

Have you ever built up a set of doubles? The plate contacts the tanks pretty much down the outer edges of the plate.

That's *why* doubles wings have a center panel that's ~ the size of a back plate.

There's no chance of a weight pouch "popping out" as long as the backplate is mounted. If the plate is loose enough for a weight pouch to escape you have other much larger problems.

Imagination is a poor substitute for first hand experience.

Tobin

 

[mahjong]

Just set it up, Tobin...on my twin MP72 rig, with medium aluminum BP. For soft weights, I only have 2 2# and 2 5#. The bolts are not long enough to accommodate 2 5# weights, but I can put one 5# in the center, equidistant from the bolts. The 2 2# weights work nicely--and I like them vertical/lengthwise between the bolts along the spine rather than horizontal. Yes, very secure and probably not the kind of pressure to rupture the pouches. Experience wins, yes, but gotta keep the imagination alive, or else whence innovation? (I know the scientist's reply: 'necesssity is the mother of invention')

On a different note: I notice that my tanks do not actually touch my plate, esp at the top--maybe close to 1/4" space. The spine of my BP plus the harness and wing grommets hit the nut locking down the bands before the tanks hit the sides of my plate. There is barely some contact at the bottom, specifically with the SS slide retainer that secures the looping harness. Is this a problem? I have not noticed instability when diving the rig, but I'm new to the doubles game--only 4 dives on the rig. Thanks.

Have you ever built up a set of doubles? The plate contacts the tanks pretty much down the outer edges of the plate.

That's *why* doubles wings have a center panel that's ~ the size of a back plate.

There's no chance of a weight pouch "popping out" as long as the backplate is mounted. If the plate is loose enough for a weight pouch to escape you have other much larger problems.

Imagination is a poor substitute for first hand experience.

Tobin

 

[cool_hardware52]

Just set it up, Tobin...on my twin MP72 rig, with medium aluminum BP. For soft weights, I only have 2 2# and 2 5#. The bolts are not long enough to accommodate 2 5# weights, but I can put one 5# in the center, equidistant from the bolts. The 2 2# weights work nicely--and I like them vertical/lengthwise between the bolts along the spine rather than horizontal. Yes, very secure and probably not the kind of pressure to rupture the pouches. Experience wins, yes, but gotta keep the imagination alive, or else whence innovation? (I know the scientist's reply: 'necesssity is the mother of invention')

On a different note: I notice that my tanks do not actually touch my plate, esp at the top--maybe close to 1/4" space. The spine of my BP plus the harness and wing grommets hit the nut locking down the bands before the tanks hit the sides of my plate. There is barely some contact at the bottom, specifically with the SS slide retainer that secures the looping harness. Is this a problem? I have not noticed instability when diving the rig, but I'm new to the doubles game--only 4 dives on the rig. Thanks.

The plate should rest on the cylinders and not on the bands. The plate may "rock" otherwise. Too many grommets, to deep a center panel, or odd bands may give you the results you have.

Tobin

 

[mahjong]

Thanks, Tobin. Swapped out the AL plate (custom Fred-T plate) and installed your small SS plate, which is flatter. Now the tanks rest fully on the plate and there's plenty of space on the bolt between the plate/wing grommet and the bands. I will be slightly overweighted with the SS plate, but nothing too severe.

The plate should rest on the cylinders and not on the bands. The plate may "rock" otherwise. Too many grommets, to deep a center panel, or odd bands may give you the results you have.

Tobin

 

[cool_hardware52]

Thanks, Tobin. Swapped out the AL plate (custom Fred-T plate) and installed your small SS plate, which is flatter. Now the tanks rest fully on the plate and there's plenty of space on the bolt between the plate/wing grommet and the bands. I will be slightly overweighted with the SS plate, but nothing too severe.

?? Al plate + soft weights vs SS plate and no soft weights.

Tobin

 

[mahjong]

No no. No weights needed with my twin MP72's--the tanks alone are -22 lbs full!! I was just using that rig to check out your suggestion for adding the weight. I have two PST 1800's (~ 45 cu ft +10% each) due back from hydro on Friday (fingers crossed). Waiting for the tanks is a Scubapro dual isolation manifold and a set of bands. Those tanks, with manifold and bands, are approx -1.5 lbs full and +5.5 lbs near empty. I will need to add plenty of weight to this doubles rig.

?? Al plate + soft weights vs SS plate and no soft weights.

Tobin