VDH flat backplate and doubles?

[reefrat]

Anyone tried the flat VDH backplate (designed specifically for DH regs) with a set of doubles? I am curious how well the narrow plate fits between the two tanks as I am thinking about buying an LP50 set.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

How would you attach the tanks?

 

[abnfrog]

drill the holes in the plate , but I suspect they wont hold anything above twin 72 s

 

[reefrat]

The VDH backplate is very narrow and non taperered, the width is 7.5 inches as opposed to typical backplanes with a with of around 12 inches at the base tapering to maybe 9.5 inches at the top. I am hoping that with a LP50 twin set (as supplied by Piranha Dive) that the VDH plate would fit between the tanks and just below flush. If this was the case I could use sexbolts to secure the plate (I think I could anyway) and when worn the BP would not actually touch my back- only the tanks through the wing material.
This might also create a little more angle on the harness to human interphase and help pull the unit against my back- all of this is trying to achieve a better position for a DH reg can.

 

[rhwestfall]

I occasionally dive a 63 twinset on a military manifold with my VDH plate. I have set the bolts deeper, have a delrin spacer/support on the bolts, and use a book/cap screw to hold it to the plate.. There are some pics either here or on the VDH forum of it...

With it all being so compact, I use the DiveRite CCr wing which also has the benefit of an offset elbow so it isn't in conflict with the can.

 

[reefrat]

Rhwestfall; that’s exactly what I was thinking, including the Diverite CCR wing, thanks.

 

[rhwestfall]

that wing is a touch wide in that application, and will really be so on a 2x50 rig (oh, I want one so badly!), so I do suggest using the bungie system that the wing comes with. It is not the fabled "bungied wing of death" of distant past lore...

 

[rhwestfall]

here are some pics you can somewhat see it is fairly wide without the bungie...

 

[Sam Miller III]

@reefrat & @abnfrog

The VDS back plate is nothing more than a modern copy of the Seacraft (3 A church Street Wilmington Mass)1950s /1960s back plate. (last produced in 1962)

It was produced in three tank sizes

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cat, # A320 single tank..,.,.$15,95

cat.# A321 double tank..,.,.$21 95
cat. # A322 triple tank..,.,.$24, 95 ( specifically designed for the US divers 44cuft tanks- AKA women's tank block Part # 0600, $70.00 last featured in the 1959 US Divers Catalog on page 6 )

For comfort and ease of assembly you will need to copy and reproduce in aluminum "cat. # A321 double tank...$21.95"
Just so happens I have a A321 back plate disassembled in my garage ready for restoration which I would be happy to trace on paper and send to you -- Just PM your stateside address .
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I purchased my first A321 and attached 2 -40s to create the ":famous OC twin 44s" - shop description who created and promoted the twin 44s.- not mine (Bob "bumbford" Retherford was the shop owner and responsible for the units development and popularity-fyi Bob also developed the first UW signaling system- aka Sea sabre signing system )

Conforming to the mantra of the 1950s and 1960s "If a product didn't exist or costs over a dollar we made it" I made several full size back plates for my personal use and several for the children's thermos size MSA tanks and finally the US Divers CBA tanks.

I suspect you can also produced you own back plate from my traced pattern but you will also need a piece of 1/8 +-sheet aluminum 3/16 drill, a hack saw and a file..

Now you know... a little history of the genesis of diving which began in California

Sam Miller,III





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[Sam Miller III]

@John C. Ratliff
John,
you do a lot of experimental & evaluati9n of dive equipment
If you would ever like to make an A321 back plate just drop an PM on me..
But doe it fast I will be reassembling the back plate with straps and the bands & tanks in the very near future

Sam