V-weight on the backside?

[GreenDiverDown]

Can anyone think of a good reason not to place a V weight on the backside...not in the usual spot between the plate and the bands but on the other side of the bands.

When I put my V-weight in the usual place it sets my plate an extra inch away from the tanks and makes reaching my valves a little harder.

It would be easy to do with a little longer all-thread rod.

Also, when I use a 400gm undie from USIA - known to be more bouyant than some other makes - I need a lot of weight...35 lbs. It would be nice if I could use 2 V-weights...one on each side of the bands. I would end up with something like this...9#BP, 8# V-weight, 11# V-weight and 8# belt.

I know that looks like a lot of weight but with these undies that's what I gotta have.

I'll get some different undies soon but I'm interested in what you all think about this placement of the V-weight.

Thanks

SA

 

[GreenDiverDown]

Here is my V-weight in the usual spot...

See how far forward it moves my plate.

 

[Don Burke]

I cast mine so it wouldn't be a problem. If the weight is wider and taller, it doesn't need to be so thick.

I had a 24 pound v-weight that didn't affect the plate more than about an eighth of an inch. It has since been recast into fishing sinkers since the 12 pounder does just fine now.

 

[Dan Gibson]

Stability in the water. Stable objects place the weight low and the lift high, not the other way around. The higher the v-weight, the less stable you will be.

Stephen Ash once bubbled...
Can anyone think of a good reason not to place a V weight on the backside...not in the usual spot between the plate and the bands but on the other side of the bands.


SA

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I was wondering about that as well, Dan.

Has anyone tried this? Anyone notice any instability?

SA

 

[Dan Gibson]

Try it in the pool or somewhere shallow and see what happens. "Your" v-weight alone may not make a huge difference to you, but you could experiment to the side of rediculous and it would certainly show up then. My v-weight is 11# and I don't have the problem you are having. I know someone who makes a 13# v-weight and I don't think it causes a problem. My guess is the design needs to be refined so you can place it where it normally goes.

 

[Don Burke]

I suspect it will turtle you. That's about five inches of shift.

 

[FredT]

The band "locking" nut is swallowed by the v-weight.

FT

 

[PacNWdiver]

Stephen,

What kind of plate is that? The bend looks really sharp. I have a Koplin (Oxycheq) plate that's a lot more flat. My Arrow V-weight fits behind it with room to spare.

I would think the turtle problem would be minimal but agree that a pool session would be a good test. Recasting may be an option too. Not too difficult, I understand, if you can fashion a mold. A buddy of mine just used an old steel pan and a camp stove.

John

 

[RichLockyer]

Three thoughts....

1 - Cut the weight so it is thinner where it crosses the bands so it doesn't hold the plate out.

2 - Cut each end of the weight so it doesn't slip over the bolts at all... just captured between the tanks and between the bands.

I've seen commercial and DIY weights done both ways.

You could cast a "P" weight to fit the plate's channel. I think Dave Dalton has instructions for this. If you can't get enough weight into the "P" weight, then perhaps a combination of the above... "P" combined with trimmed "V".