wingnuts or reg. nuts and backplates?

[SparkySFD]

I put my Halcyon Eclipse system together the other day. I noticed that the bolts stick way past the plate and there are some pretty big wingnuts holding everything together.

My question is are the wingnuts a DIR thing or can you use a regular nut? Mine came with lockwashers so coming undone shouldnt be a problem. You could cut down those long bolts and put some aircraft nuts with lockwashers. Much more secure. That sucker wouldnt come loose.

I worry about that thing catching on a suit. And this would make it a little more secure. You would lose the ability to undo it without tools though. Wondering if thats the reasoning behind it?

 

[ColdH20diving]

I don't think the wing nuts is a DIR thing, my OMS system had the same set up. I use a Halcyon elcipse wing mated to a heavy Fred T backplate, the studs really don't stick out that much. Personally, I like the wing nuts, it's easy to assemble and take apart.

 

[d33ps1x]

Hey Sparky

Do me a favour and keep me posted on how you are doing with the tank position on the STA and how you find the valve height.

It's definately different from the Pioneer with integrated STA.

Interested in how it's doing for you.

 

[SparkySFD]

d33ps1x

Will do. What really gripes me is I havent been able to get mine wet yet. I havent even been able to mount it to a tank yet.

I dont own one. I use the tanks from work. I get all the air fills I want for free. I am thinking about picking up a couple of tanks after Christmas just to make it a little more convienent.

If I ever get to hook it up will let you know what I find. What issues are you having?

 

[d33ps1x]

I'm sure it's just a matter of re-adjustment but when I adjust it tight enough on the shoulders to keep the backplate within reach it ends up being rediculously high in the water. Like right up over my head. Still playing with it. Didn't bother adjusting it on my dive the other day since the air temp was 14F with 3 feet of snow on the ground.

Loosened them off an inch or two. Can't even get in the pool here since the sprinkler system down there broke and it's closed. Going out tomorrow to try it again in the lake.

Sorry to hear you haven't gotten yours wet yet!

Hurry up.

 

[skunkriv]

Though I have dove with borrowed twins a few times my rig is set up for singles with an STA. The wing grommets are sandwichced tightly between the BP and the STA (not the case with doubles) and the STA wants to rock on the grommets. I use SS Nylock nuts and crank them down good and tight. No worries.

Steve

 

[turnerjd]

Everybody has their own preference.

nylock - hardly ever comes undone - needs a spanner to get it off

Wing nuts - dead easy to put on, and take off, doesn't need any tools and with a star washer or other lock washer should present no problem in coming undone.

I used to use a wing nut with a lock washer. However, after having dropped and lost several of the washers I replaced them with home made cylindrical SS lock nuts with a knurled outer surface. Spin on the wing nut, tighten up as wanted. Spin on the lock nut and lock the two loosely together. (lock nuts only need to be loosly together not extra tight) - I'm less likely to lose the lock nuts than lock washers as they are significantly bigger.

Never had any problems like this.

Jon T

<edited to transform king nuts to wing nuts!!>

 

[MechDiver]

Wingnuts shouldn't come loose when using just flat washers. Lock washers, lock nuts, whatever aren't necessary IME.

That being said, there isn't much sense to have wing nuts on a bp using a STA, or for singles only. If the bolt it too long, then cut part of it off, after making sure you leave enough to draw up.
The suggestion to use nylok nuts is very good.

MD

 

[SparkySFD]

Okay, I havent heard that there is some big rule violation by losing the wingnuts.

What I may do is get some shorter bolts and a lockwasher/nylock nut combination. I know I will lose the ability to take it apart without tools, but I havent heard an argument why I need to. I take tools with me just in case, regardless of this nut thing.

I believe this will be a more secure setup. And by using a shorter bolt take any chance of chaffing, out of the equation.

I just wonder why they send it with such a long bolt? Will it do double duty, for doubles? I dont have any so I cant check.

 

[MechDiver]

SparkySFD once bubbled...

I just wonder why they send it with such a long bolt? Will it do double duty, for doubles? I dont have any so I cant check.

To fit different configurations, and to allow you to take up flex in a bp. It is difficult to lengthen a short bolt

You are also correct in that there is little reason to take your system apart once you have it assembled, other than to inspect the wing possibly. I used nyloks on my single bp for awhile, but went back to wingnuts. You can also just trim off the end of the bolts instead of buying new ones that may not be of the same quality.

MD