Rebreather World - View Single Post - Our compact plate for PRISM head and basket

silent running · 30th December 2006, 16:23

Quote: (Originally Posted by jstovall)

Hey Andy, Our first thought about the plate was for travel purposes. The large black plate from SM didn't fit into any Carry-on luggage bag that didn't look conspicuous. We wanted to use a everyday Pilot type carry on bag. This design poped into my head one day when i was thinking about different ways to mount the tanks, because, Yes i don't like the velcro straps holding the tank on. We played with it a bit to get specs right for the cowling to still fit. Heck i paid for it, I want to use it-besides i look like a rock star when i am at the lake or on the boat.

Secondary was the protection factor for the head. Stefan had mentioned before about wanting to get something to protect the head and wings and bucket. We exchaged a couple of PM's about the cowling protecting the bucket somewhat, but there was nothing protecting the head. I discussed my idea with George a bit but haven't sat down and really mulled it over yet.

As you know the cowling does fit the tanks rather tight. And our specs are just a bit over stock set up, so the cowling fits really snug. On land there is a slight wobble to the tranks when on the unit, but once the cowling is placed, there is no noticable movement over using that black thing.

As far as using the tiger type attachment from the meg, It would be wounderful. Only draw back that i see i where are we going to mount. One wing and the tiger mount might work. One thing to consider is the amount of space we have under the cowling. Between bucket tiger mount then tank do we have enough space to be able to fit it all in. If we did this, i would want the wing centered on the tank to keep stress down, now we are in the way of grabbing that big bucket to take it off. All that silicone and tight fit, sometimes i really need to get a hold of it to pull it off. ( sounds kinky).

Could we mount it to the bucket? In all reality we probably could, but i don't like the idea of mounting all that weight on those pin heads holding the bucket on. Could we mount the base to the head, yea, but then tanks are secured higher up and less midlined. I would like to use a cam strap as well to secure the tanks using our wings like they are, but then you have a cam buckle that prevents the cowling from fitting properly.

If you know the dimensions of the tiger mount, or can get them, let us know so we can play with it. Any other ideas aree welcome.

Good idea, Since i am at work and can't look at the unit i have to go from memory. The cowling doesn't go any deeper than the back plate i believe. It mounts with the bottom flush against the plate, but will have to look.

As far as a handle goes, Although this might not be ideal, We took a piece of clear tubing we had laying around, put a 1in thick piece of cordure stap 13 in long through it and bolted on with the two top head bolts. Works really well. Not sure how much stress it puts on those bolt? Got this idea from Bozanic when we were going through training, how he did his.

I know i keep saying i'm goning to get it in the water to see how it fly's, I am going to sacrifice New years eve and take it out new years day early and get it wet. will update you then on how it feels.
Pleasure discussing this with you.

Thanks for all the details James. I thought about it some more and realized that the 90 was probably to make it more compact. The protection factor sounds good too. Glad to hear that the cover brings it all together and there's no movement with it on.

I'll look more at the tiger gear or for something similar. I can see what you
mean about the extra space that hardware would take up and not being much to spare. I guess the stock bands work fine, but I wonder what other mounting solutions there might be...

Glad you like the channel/lip idea for the cowling bottom. Having a slot for cowling bottom edge to rest in would be nice and keep it from moving around everytime it's picked up or set down, which also stretches out the bungees over time and makes things a little looser. Also guessing that with a channel at 90 to the bottom of the plate, it would make the unit lean back ever so slightly, a good thing since it's front heavy with all the CLs hoses, DSV when standing. It would be nice if it were more stable in that position-standing up-even for just the short time it's not strapped in to the boat rack, don doff.

As for the handle, the one you have looks good, but I have found that hard ones are actually easier on the hand as they distribute the weight more evenly, instead of putting more on the outer fingers like a soft one does. But anything will be better than the stock "handle".

Thanks again for listening, you guys have got the best looking set up I've seen so far.

30th December 2006, 16:23	#31 (permalink)
silent running Mature mouth breather Current Rebreather/s: Prism Topaz Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: U.S.A. Brooklyn, New York Posts: 1,836	Re: Our compact plate for PRISM head and basket Quote: (Originally Posted by jstovall) Hey Andy, Our first thought about the plate was for travel purposes. The large black plate from SM didn't fit into any Carry-on luggage bag that didn't look conspicuous. We wanted to use a everyday Pilot type carry on bag. This design poped into my head one day when i was thinking about different ways to mount the tanks, because, Yes i don't like the velcro straps holding the tank on. We played with it a bit to get specs right for the cowling to still fit. Heck i paid for it, I want to use it-besides i look like a rock star when i am at the lake or on the boat. Secondary was the protection factor for the head. Stefan had mentioned before about wanting to get something to protect the head and wings and bucket. We exchaged a couple of PM's about the cowling protecting the bucket somewhat, but there was nothing protecting the head. I discussed my idea with George a bit but haven't sat down and really mulled it over yet. As you know the cowling does fit the tanks rather tight. And our specs are just a bit over stock set up, so the cowling fits really snug. On land there is a slight wobble to the tranks when on the unit, but once the cowling is placed, there is no noticable movement over using that black thing. As far as using the tiger type attachment from the meg, It would be wounderful. Only draw back that i see i where are we going to mount. One wing and the tiger mount might work. One thing to consider is the amount of space we have under the cowling. Between bucket tiger mount then tank do we have enough space to be able to fit it all in. If we did this, i would want the wing centered on the tank to keep stress down, now we are in the way of grabbing that big bucket to take it off. All that silicone and tight fit, sometimes i really need to get a hold of it to pull it off. ( sounds kinky). Could we mount it to the bucket? In all reality we probably could, but i don't like the idea of mounting all that weight on those pin heads holding the bucket on. Could we mount the base to the head, yea, but then tanks are secured higher up and less midlined. I would like to use a cam strap as well to secure the tanks using our wings like they are, but then you have a cam buckle that prevents the cowling from fitting properly. If you know the dimensions of the tiger mount, or can get them, let us know so we can play with it. Any other ideas aree welcome. Good idea, Since i am at work and can't look at the unit i have to go from memory. The cowling doesn't go any deeper than the back plate i believe. It mounts with the bottom flush against the plate, but will have to look. As far as a handle goes, Although this might not be ideal, We took a piece of clear tubing we had laying around, put a 1in thick piece of cordure stap 13 in long through it and bolted on with the two top head bolts. Works really well. Not sure how much stress it puts on those bolt? Got this idea from Bozanic when we were going through training, how he did his. I know i keep saying i'm goning to get it in the water to see how it fly's, I am going to sacrifice New years eve and take it out new years day early and get it wet. will update you then on how it feels. Pleasure discussing this with you. Thanks for all the details James. I thought about it some more and realized that the 90 was probably to make it more compact. The protection factor sounds good too. Glad to hear that the cover brings it all together and there's no movement with it on. I'll look more at the tiger gear or for something similar. I can see what you mean about the extra space that hardware would take up and not being much to spare. I guess the stock bands work fine, but I wonder what other mounting solutions there might be... Glad you like the channel/lip idea for the cowling bottom. Having a slot for cowling bottom edge to rest in would be nice and keep it from moving around everytime it's picked up or set down, which also stretches out the bungees over time and makes things a little looser. Also guessing that with a channel at 90 to the bottom of the plate, it would make the unit lean back ever so slightly, a good thing since it's front heavy with all the CLs hoses, DSV when standing. It would be nice if it were more stable in that position-standing up-even for just the short time it's not strapped in to the boat rack, don doff. As for the handle, the one you have looks good, but I have found that hard ones are actually easier on the hand as they distribute the weight more evenly, instead of putting more on the outer fingers like a soft one does. But anything will be better than the stock "handle". Thanks again for listening, you guys have got the best looking set up I've seen so far.
(Offline)