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TobinGeorge · March 27th, 2008, 05:36 PM

Quote: (Originally Posted by CWB)

Hello,
I'm building my first DIR style rig, and could use some advice on backplates. I'm working my way through this transition alone and don't have any other rigs to compare to. I'm in the tropics, and am only diving singles right now.

I'm currently running a Dive-Rite Transpac with a 30 lb lift Venture wing. I've got 2 pounds of non droppable-trim weight on it and the rig weighs in at exactly 10 pounds. I feel perfectly weighted with this outfit.

To keep with overall completed weight about the same, should I go with an alum or steel plate?

I'll probably use the wings off the transpac for now, but will go to a Halcyon or Oxycheq wing in the 30lb range later. I have no idea how much a Hog harness and a small wing weigh in at. I was afraid with an alum it might come out way too light or way too heavy with a steel.

Any recommendations on brand? There seems to be a lot of price disparity and not being able to compare them side by side I have no way of judging if a plate is a plate or if some are better quality than others.

Thanks for your help,
Chris

You don't mention what you use for an exposure suit or tanks.

In my experience warm water divers using thin suits and buoyant tanks will benefit from a SS plate. Typical al 80 is +4 lbs empty, and a 3mm suit is about +4lbs. A SS plate and harness is -6 lbs, and a regulator is about -2 lbs.

We have many users that dive in tropical conditions with only the a SS plate and reg for ballast.

If OTOH you are using steel tanks and a thin suit, you would be overweighted with a SS plate.

Keep in mind that alum is ~ 165 lbs / cuft and SS is ~495 lbs / cuft. That means in terms of dry travle weight an aluminum plate saves about 2 lbs. In the water a SS plate will be about 4 lbs more negative than a aluminum plate.

It is very likely that you could use a very small wing, as your rig won't be much more than -10 lbs with a full al 80, and your thin exposure suit cannot loose much buoyancy. 30 is way more than you need, more like 17 for warm water.

Tobin

March 27th, 2008, 05:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
TobinGeorge(Offline) New Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 570	Quote: (Originally Posted by CWB) Hello, I'm building my first DIR style rig, and could use some advice on backplates. I'm working my way through this transition alone and don't have any other rigs to compare to. I'm in the tropics, and am only diving singles right now. I'm currently running a Dive-Rite Transpac with a 30 lb lift Venture wing. I've got 2 pounds of non droppable-trim weight on it and the rig weighs in at exactly 10 pounds. I feel perfectly weighted with this outfit. To keep with overall completed weight about the same, should I go with an alum or steel plate? I'll probably use the wings off the transpac for now, but will go to a Halcyon or Oxycheq wing in the 30lb range later. I have no idea how much a Hog harness and a small wing weigh in at. I was afraid with an alum it might come out way too light or way too heavy with a steel. Any recommendations on brand? There seems to be a lot of price disparity and not being able to compare them side by side I have no way of judging if a plate is a plate or if some are better quality than others. Thanks for your help, Chris You don't mention what you use for an exposure suit or tanks. In my experience warm water divers using thin suits and buoyant tanks will benefit from a SS plate. Typical al 80 is +4 lbs empty, and a 3mm suit is about +4lbs. A SS plate and harness is -6 lbs, and a regulator is about -2 lbs. We have many users that dive in tropical conditions with only the a SS plate and reg for ballast. If OTOH you are using steel tanks and a thin suit, you would be overweighted with a SS plate. Keep in mind that alum is ~ 165 lbs / cuft and SS is ~495 lbs / cuft. That means in terms of dry travle weight an aluminum plate saves about 2 lbs. In the water a SS plate will be about 4 lbs more negative than a aluminum plate. It is very likely that you could use a very small wing, as your rig won't be much more than -10 lbs with a full al 80, and your thin exposure suit cannot loose much buoyancy. 30 is way more than you need, more like 17 for warm water. Tobin __________________ http://www.deepseasupply.com