DT Box tweaks

Wol · 2nd October 2007, 14:47

I use a DT box with an inspiration classic. I use two back mounted 7 litre cylinders (one with tmix dil and one with 50%nitrox), together with a 2litre cylinder mounted underneath for O2. Has anyone else tinkered with this kind of set up. I do experience slight back ache due to the O2 bottle being so low. Am considering using syntactic foam to add bouyancy to the bottom of the unit. Has anyone else mounted their kit & bail out in this fashion. Any helpful hints would be appreciated. - I've been using this configuration for about 10 months and is nice in so far as it gets rid of side slung cylinders for most dives down to 65m or so.

***Beanie*** · 2nd October 2007, 14:52

How about an ali cylinder for O2?
don't know how much lighter it would be?

or how about mounting it in front of or behind one of the 7s?

guess it won't fit of top of the box?

Wol · 2nd October 2007, 15:11

I've tried mounting vertically and that works okay - harder to reach the valve though & also not quite as well balanced. Have you tried mounting yours to the left hand side of the back plate? - if so can you recommend how to attach it?

I am guessing that an Ali 2litre would be quite a bit longer than the steel 2. Do you know if these are these neutrally buoyant?

***Beanie*** · 2nd October 2007, 15:14

I've only mounted a 1.5 litre ali for suit inflate.

Outlaw Divers, Full Size Photo

Webbing loop with a bungee to hold it in.

decoweenie · 2nd October 2007, 16:14

The very first thing I did was to drill holes on the spine to allow me to move the 2 bolts down so the whole frame could move up.

The trim got 100% better as the original bolt positions were too high, hence the rig rests very low on your back giving you the seahorse trim.

Wol · 2nd October 2007, 18:11

Great bit of advice - how much weight do you need on the top of the unit - personally I have used the original AP valves weight pouch and have 4 KGs in it - currently this is okay with the two 7s as they protrude quite far above the unit. It sounds like I could reduce the amount of weight I need there if I move redrill the holes - how far did you move them?

Mdemon · 2nd October 2007, 19:32

Do you have a weightbelt as well? Sometimes the combination of belt pulling your waist down and legs being pulled up stresses your back at the pivot point at the base of the box.

I liked mounting all the cylinders on the frame too. Very heavy but all in one place. Pointing the valves on the rear cylinders to the front makes it easier to reach.

Here's an old pic:

decoweenie · 2nd October 2007, 20:28

Quote: (Originally Posted by Wol)

...how much weight do you need on the top of the unit...

...how far did you move them?

I don't use any additional weight except for a 2-lb at the top of the frame.

I don't remember the original hole positions since it has been a while, but at least a few inches. If I remember tomorrow, I will take a closer look and let you know...

Wol · 3rd October 2007, 13:29

I don't wear a weight belt - I am guessing its just the weight of the whole unit sitting just above my arse. I am guessing the extra weight of the 2 litre cylinder sitting their adds that bit extra. I like the idea of moving the who unit up on the back plate. The DT box I have has welded threaded studs on it - I am guessing I would have to drill an extra hole and just use two bolts and a thread to hold it - any suggestions to getting hold stainless version of this?

***Beanie*** · 3rd October 2007, 13:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by Wol)

I don't wear a weight belt - I am guessing its just the weight of the whole unit sitting just above my arse. I am guessing the extra weight of the 2 litre cylinder sitting their adds that bit extra. I like the idea of moving the who unit up on the back plate. The DT box I have has welded threaded studs on it - I am guessing I would have to drill an extra hole and just use two bolts and a thread to hold it - any suggestions to getting hold stainless version of this?

M8 x 60 Stainless Steel Bolt - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys
Stainless Nylon Lock Nut M8 - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys

?like that?

2nd October 2007, 14:47	#1 (permalink)
Wol New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 34	DT Box tweaks I use a DT box with an inspiration classic. I use two back mounted 7 litre cylinders (one with tmix dil and one with 50%nitrox), together with a 2litre cylinder mounted underneath for O2. Has anyone else tinkered with this kind of set up. I do experience slight back ache due to the O2 bottle being so low. Am considering using syntactic foam to add bouyancy to the bottom of the unit. Has anyone else mounted their kit & bail out in this fashion. Any helpful hints would be appreciated. - I've been using this configuration for about 10 months and is nice in so far as it gets rid of side slung cylinders for most dives down to 65m or so.
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2nd October 2007, 14:52	#2 (permalink)
*Beanie* give a man an inch....... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,247	Re: DT Box tweaks How about an ali cylinder for O2? don't know how much lighter it would be? or how about mounting it in front of or behind one of the 7s? guess it won't fit of top of the box? __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk 0871 242 7808
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2nd October 2007, 15:11	#3 (permalink)
Wol New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 34	Re: DT Box tweaks I've tried mounting vertically and that works okay - harder to reach the valve though & also not quite as well balanced. Have you tried mounting yours to the left hand side of the back plate? - if so can you recommend how to attach it? I am guessing that an Ali 2litre would be quite a bit longer than the steel 2. Do you know if these are these neutrally buoyant?
(Offline)

2nd October 2007, 15:14	#4 (permalink)
*Beanie* give a man an inch....... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,247	Re: DT Box tweaks I've only mounted a 1.5 litre ali for suit inflate. Outlaw Divers, Full Size Photo Webbing loop with a bungee to hold it in. __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk 0871 242 7808
(Offline)

2nd October 2007, 16:14	#5 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: DT Box tweaks The very first thing I did was to drill holes on the spine to allow me to move the 2 bolts down so the whole frame could move up. The trim got 100% better as the original bolt positions were too high, hence the rig rests very low on your back giving you the seahorse trim. __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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2nd October 2007, 18:11	#6 (permalink)
Wol New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 34	Re: DT Box tweaks Great bit of advice - how much weight do you need on the top of the unit - personally I have used the original AP valves weight pouch and have 4 KGs in it - currently this is okay with the two 7s as they protrude quite far above the unit. It sounds like I could reduce the amount of weight I need there if I move redrill the holes - how far did you move them?
(Offline)

2nd October 2007, 19:32	#7 (permalink)
Mdemon SiegeEngine II Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Home Build Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: SWUK Posts: 1,931	Re: DT Box tweaks Do you have a weightbelt as well? Sometimes the combination of belt pulling your waist down and legs being pulled up stresses your back at the pivot point at the base of the box. I liked mounting all the cylinders on the frame too. Very heavy but all in one place. Pointing the valves on the rear cylinders to the front makes it easier to reach. Here's an old pic: __________________ www.southwestmafia.com "small minds talk about people, Average Minds Talk About Events, GREAT MINDS TALK ABOUT IDEAS!" The WRONG Attitude will get you killed. "Once the agenda-monkeys and perfect-worlders have moved on, perhaps we can do some diving?"
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2nd October 2007, 20:28	#8 (permalink)
decoweenie Crash Test Dummy Current Rebreather/s: Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cairo Posts: 5,510	Re: DT Box tweaks Quote: (Originally Posted by Wol) ...how much weight do you need on the top of the unit... ...how far did you move them? I don't use any additional weight except for a 2-lb at the top of the frame. I don't remember the original hole positions since it has been a while, but at least a few inches. If I remember tomorrow, I will take a closer look and let you know... __________________ "...after a while you get bored offering advice to a bull that like to keep butting the fence with its head rather than walking through the open gate..." - Rebreather World PM
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3rd October 2007, 13:29	#9 (permalink)
Wol New Member Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: UK Posts: 34	Re: DT Box tweaks I don't wear a weight belt - I am guessing its just the weight of the whole unit sitting just above my arse. I am guessing the extra weight of the 2 litre cylinder sitting their adds that bit extra. I like the idea of moving the who unit up on the back plate. The DT box I have has welded threaded studs on it - I am guessing I would have to drill an extra hole and just use two bolts and a thread to hold it - any suggestions to getting hold stainless version of this?
(Offline)

3rd October 2007, 13:36	#10 (permalink)
*Beanie* give a man an inch....... Current Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Vision Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: In da house! yeah baby! Posts: 3,247	Re: DT Box tweaks Quote: (Originally Posted by Wol) I don't wear a weight belt - I am guessing its just the weight of the whole unit sitting just above my arse. I am guessing the extra weight of the 2 litre cylinder sitting their adds that bit extra. I like the idea of moving the who unit up on the back plate. The DT box I have has welded threaded studs on it - I am guessing I would have to drill an extra hole and just use two bolts and a thread to hold it - any suggestions to getting hold stainless version of this? M8 x 60 Stainless Steel Bolt - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys Stainless Nylon Lock Nut M8 - Screwfix.com, Where the Trade Buys ?like that? __________________ Beanie Gallery Admin & Library Assistant. www.outlawdivers.org.uk www.beandiving.co.uk www.beanengineering.co.uk 0871 242 7808
(Offline)

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