Inspiration Backplate Conversion

Removing and Replacing the ADP Harness/Plate with Custom Divers
By Pierre Farrugia


First, remove lungs, harness and wings, by using a spanner and Allen keys. (Although it is not necessary, I even removed head + handsets, scrubber and obviously cylinders. This will make the case easier to handle and prevent damage to the expensive parts)

You should now have the bare backpack that should look something like this:


To mount a Custom Divers SS back plate you have to drill new holes, as the standard ones will make the back plate sit too high and interfere with the shoulder hoses! So upper hole should be as high as possible, so I measured button nut and allowed about 5mm from top to its outer diameter and drilled a 12mm diameter hole with its centre 15mm from top of BP. Then after measured bolts spacing, which is 280mm I drilled second hole. This was very close to one of the original holes.


When I tried the SS backplane to the ABS case, I noticed that the back plate was pivoting on the manifold bump! (see picture).This also reduced the contact areas between the ABS case and the SS back plate and so decided to cut a window to allow space for the manifold. This was very hard work considering the limited tools I have, using just an electric drill, jigsaw and an iron file! But the end result is not that bad!


The hard work is now finished; thread the harness again to the back plate. Here I am using a standard Custom Divers harness.


Now lay the Inspiration with it’s back facing up, with it’s bolts in place. I found it helpful to place something under the lower bolt so it does not fall inside and make me install wing, lungs and harness easier! First place wing holes in the bolts, this is easy as you have only 2 holes!


Now place the lungs same way using the lower holes.


Place SS back plate and fix it with the button nuts in place. As I had cutout the window for manifold, I could use the standard bolts! I even place a piece of webbing under the cutout. I suggest when tightening the start with the top bolt as this has bigger contact area.


Last thing is to use something to hold the lungs down. I used the 2 crotch straps supplied with the unit. Cut them down in length and made a loop for the waist strap, these hopfully will be replace by some cool hard ware from Tobin,http://<font color="DarkOrange">http...ply.com</font>


And finally, I have everything together and ready to go diving again!



More Modifications

The SS hardware from deepseasupply (Mr. Tobin who supports this site as well) has arrived and can say that I am impressed with their finish. These will replace the AP valves crotch straps that are being used to hold down the counter lungs. In my case, I used the AP Valves Fastex buckles, and some webbing and small D-rings. Went to a shoe repair shop and he sewn me everything in 5min. The straps are not so long as on mine nearly needs no adj.! Put everything back and I am a happy guy and I tell you why: before I could have easily lost one of the straps, they tended to move from side to side and they look cool and tidy as well!



Conclusion

After I tried the rig for about 6 dives, I can say that I am very happy with it, as the standard rig never fitted me well. With my Custom Divers harness the unit stays where it should be and counterlungs does not move upwards. Also attaching stages is more easy now and other equipment such as reels and stuff. So 100% happy with it now.


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