New Optima Backplate

**Dsix36** · 24th December 2007, 23:14

Recently my backplate developed the legendary crack in it. I was already in the process of designing an aluminum one to replace it. I always felt that the plastic one was rather flimsy.

My first attempt was a duplicate using 1/4" thick alum. It did not allow me to move my alum 20's up higher on the plate without kinking the O2 line. It will work fine for a standard configuration or for use with steel 27's.

Next I designed on with the canister 3/4" further forward (towards my head). I thought that this might cause a problem with raising my head while diving, but it works fine. I spent a couple of hours sanding and polishing the edges tonight. I intend to make a "foot" out of alum to keep the regs of the deck on the boat etc.

I have posted some pics in my gallery. If you sort them by ascending and go to the 2nd page they will appear in proper order. they are here:
http://www.rebreatherworld.com/photo...00/ppuser/8736

Let me know what you think. I don't know what the diff is in bouyancy, but the alum plate weighs exactly 4 pounds more than the plastic one.

netmage · 24th December 2007, 23:56

Looks good Don.... I was wondering who was behind the handywork I saw at FE...

The 'tonka' factor is certainly one of the hurdles the Optima has going against it. I know 'space age' plastics, strength and all, sometimes you just want something with overengineered heft behind it...

**Dsix36** · 25th December 2007, 00:14

Quote: (Originally Posted by netmage)

Looks good Don.... I was wondering who was behind the handywork I saw at FE...

The 'tonka' factor is certainly one of the hurdles the Optima has going against it. I know 'space age' plastics, strength and all, sometimes you just want something with overengineered heft behind it...

Thanks Tim. So, You saw that one too. I work with structural steel all day and tend to build most things a bit stronger than needed. This is definitely too strong, but I wanted the addidional weight also. I was hoping for 6lb but only got 4.

diverreb · 25th December 2007, 00:58

Nice job.... You may want to find someone with a glass bead blaster. It would put a nice uniform finish on it. Maybe think about a heavier bracket too. It makes the unit a lot sturdier when standing it up to work on. I'm a lot happier with mine since I beefed up the frame & foot.

Richie

**Dsix36** · 25th December 2007, 01:07

Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb)

Nice job.... You may want to find someone with a glass bead blaster. It would put a nice uniform finish on it. Maybe think about a heavier bracket too. It makes the unit a lot sturdier when standing it up to work on. I'm a lot happier with mine since I beefed up the frame & foot.

Richie

Thanks, as posted earlier :
"I intend to make a "foot" out of alum to keep the regs of the deck on the boat etc."
This is the bottom brace from the backplate and the foot. I agree they are also weak and need to be sturdier. It is the next on my list of to-do's.

Prior to using the steel 27's I was planning to weld the foot solid to the backplate, but now with the longer tanks I will have to rethink it.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 25th December 2007, 02:10

I'd like to see a cut out for the oxygen connector that goes to the solenoid inlet, giving plenty of space there. Can you show a close up of how your plate looks with the 27 tanks in the unit and the oxygen line connected?

**Dsix36** · 25th December 2007, 03:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami)

I'd like to see a cut out for the oxygen connector that goes to the solenoid inlet, giving plenty of space there. Can you show a close up of how your plate looks with the 27 tanks in the unit and the oxygen line connected?

There is no need for a cutout for the O2 line. It follows the contour of the plate and is outside of it.
I do not have my head. It is packaged for shipment to Jeurgenson for repair. I have used the water trap end, masking tape, and my finger to approximate what it looks like when assembled with the steel 27's.

***ScubaDadMiami*** · 25th December 2007, 05:14

Very nice. Thanks.

jiseson · 25th December 2007, 11:49

Quote: (Originally Posted by Dsix36)

Thanks Tim. So, You saw that one too. I work with structural steel all day and tend to build most things a bit stronger than needed. This is definitely too strong, but I wanted the addidional weight also. I was hoping for 6lb but only got 4.

-i bet with alum foot and beefier parts u gain another lbs or 2.

SiscoKid · 27th December 2007, 03:12

I made one of these plats back on the 11 Sept. And posted it. The plate is 1/8 thick vary light, I used the plastic foot but I made the strap that holds the foot out of 1 1/8 in by 1/8 Stan. makes it strong enough to stand on its on. I have several dives on it would not dive any other way. My plastic back plate was not broke just wonted to try this out.

24th December 2007, 23:14	#1 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 961	New Optima Backplate Recently my backplate developed the legendary crack in it. I was already in the process of designing an aluminum one to replace it. I always felt that the plastic one was rather flimsy. My first attempt was a duplicate using 1/4" thick alum. It did not allow me to move my alum 20's up higher on the plate without kinking the O2 line. It will work fine for a standard configuration or for use with steel 27's. Next I designed on with the canister 3/4" further forward (towards my head). I thought that this might cause a problem with raising my head while diving, but it works fine. I spent a couple of hours sanding and polishing the edges tonight. I intend to make a "foot" out of alum to keep the regs of the deck on the boat etc. I have posted some pics in my gallery. If you sort them by ascending and go to the 2nd page they will appear in proper order. they are here: http://www.rebreatherworld.com/photo...00/ppuser/8736 Let me know what you think. I don't know what the diff is in bouyancy, but the alum plate weighs exactly 4 pounds more than the plastic one. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
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24th December 2007, 23:56	#2 (permalink)
netmage Hello Kitty...... Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coconut Creek, FL Posts: 429	Re: New Optima Backplate Looks good Don.... I was wondering who was behind the handywork I saw at FE... The 'tonka' factor is certainly one of the hurdles the Optima has going against it. I know 'space age' plastics, strength and all, sometimes you just want something with overengineered heft behind it...
(Online)

25th December 2007, 00:14	#3 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 961	Re: New Optima Backplate Quote: (Originally Posted by netmage) Looks good Don.... I was wondering who was behind the handywork I saw at FE... The 'tonka' factor is certainly one of the hurdles the Optima has going against it. I know 'space age' plastics, strength and all, sometimes you just want something with overengineered heft behind it... Thanks Tim. So, You saw that one too. I work with structural steel all day and tend to build most things a bit stronger than needed. This is definitely too strong, but I wanted the addidional weight also. I was hoping for 6lb but only got 4. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Offline)

25th December 2007, 00:58	#4 (permalink)
diverreb DE/MD/NJ Wreck Diver Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 557	Re: New Optima Backplate Nice job.... You may want to find someone with a glass bead blaster. It would put a nice uniform finish on it. Maybe think about a heavier bracket too. It makes the unit a lot sturdier when standing it up to work on. I'm a lot happier with mine since I beefed up the frame & foot. Richie
(Online)

25th December 2007, 01:07	#5 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 961	Re: New Optima Backplate Quote: (Originally Posted by diverreb) Nice job.... You may want to find someone with a glass bead blaster. It would put a nice uniform finish on it. Maybe think about a heavier bracket too. It makes the unit a lot sturdier when standing it up to work on. I'm a lot happier with mine since I beefed up the frame & foot. Richie Thanks, as posted earlier : "I intend to make a "foot" out of alum to keep the regs of the deck on the boat etc." This is the bottom brace from the backplate and the foot. I agree they are also weak and need to be sturdier. It is the next on my list of to-do's. Prior to using the steel 27's I was planning to weld the foot solid to the backplate, but now with the longer tanks I will have to rethink it. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Offline)

25th December 2007, 02:10	#6 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: New Optima Backplate I'd like to see a cut out for the oxygen connector that goes to the solenoid inlet, giving plenty of space there. Can you show a close up of how your plate looks with the 27 tanks in the unit and the oxygen line connected? __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com Last edited by ScubaDadMiami : 25th December 2007 at 02:12.
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25th December 2007, 03:20	#7 (permalink)
Dsix36 Going Down? Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Deerfield Beach, Florida Posts: 961	Re: New Optima Backplate Quote: (Originally Posted by ScubaDadMiami) I'd like to see a cut out for the oxygen connector that goes to the solenoid inlet, giving plenty of space there. Can you show a close up of how your plate looks with the 27 tanks in the unit and the oxygen line connected? There is no need for a cutout for the O2 line. It follows the contour of the plate and is outside of it. I do not have my head. It is packaged for shipment to Jeurgenson for repair. I have used the water trap end, masking tape, and my finger to approximate what it looks like when assembled with the steel 27's. __________________ THE MORE THAT I LEARN, THE MORE THAT I STILL NEED TO LEARN!!!!!!
(Offline)

25th December 2007, 05:14	#8 (permalink)
*ScubaDadMiami* Moderator Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 2,044	Re: New Optima Backplate Very nice. Thanks. __________________ Howard Packer IANTD CCR Instructor Miami Beach, Florida CCRDiveTraining.com
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25th December 2007, 11:49	#9 (permalink)
jiseson DSIX/O2PTIMA Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: long island,ny Posts: 530	Re: New Optima Backplate Quote: (Originally Posted by Dsix36) Thanks Tim. So, You saw that one too. I work with structural steel all day and tend to build most things a bit stronger than needed. This is definitely too strong, but I wanted the addidional weight also. I was hoping for 6lb but only got 4. -i bet with alum foot and beefier parts u gain another lbs or 2. __________________ *Jonathan D Iseson*
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27th December 2007, 03:12	#10 (permalink)
SiscoKid New Member Current Rebreather/s: Optima Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Farmersville Texas Posts: 64	Re: New Optima Backplate I made one of these plats back on the 11 Sept. And posted it. The plate is 1/8 thick vary light, I used the plastic foot but I made the strap that holds the foot out of 1 1/8 in by 1/8 Stan. makes it strong enough to stand on its on. I have several dives on it would not dive any other way. My plastic back plate was not broke just wonted to try this out.
(Offline)

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