Setting up doubles

[db]

I have a set of doubles (72) that I would like to put on a vintage back pack and was wondering what you people use. For my single I have and really like the Aqua-Lung pac. Saw it in the 1962 add thread. 

[tomcatpc]

I have one set of doubles and they are late 60's US Divers 72s. I have only dove them once so far and that was using the 60's/70's ScubaPrp "blow mould" pack that was one them when I bought them two years ago.
The ScubaPro (and other brands) work just fine if I am diving with a single hose regulator, but for double hose regs, I want something to keep the regulator close to my back.
In the future I hope to get a reproduction canvas harness and band harness for them. No backplate, just bands on the tanks with shoulder straps. Just like Mkie Nelson.
But this is not a high prority project at this time.
Mark

[db]

When I did a search on this I saw an old thread where someone had used a Healthways pack. Wondering how that worked out. Looks like those are metal and seemed that the two tanks fit on it nicely.

[snark3]

For me it depends on how I'm diving. If I'm diving "modern" I use a standard hard pack BC. If I'm diving vintage I generally use the blow molded pack like Mark mentioned. I haven't tried using my VDH backplate with doubles or my SeaCraft double backplate. The blow molded pack while comfortable, is difficult to get the tanks low enough to get good performance from a double hose

[tomcatpc]

I have a 50's/60's era Healthways pack that is flat, it is metal and it is one of my favourite tank packs. But mine is for a single 72.
They were made for doubles, but I'm guessing they are not the easiest to find?
Mark

[snark3]

Oct 27, 2019 11:40:30 GMT -8 tomcatpc said:

I have a 50's/60's era Healthways pack that is flat, it is metal and it is one of my favourite tank packs. But mine is for a single 72.
They were made for doubles, but I'm guessing they are not the easiest to find?
Mark

That Healthways pack sounds like my SeaCraft plate. It's just a flat piece of metal with some slots cut in it. It uses large hose clamps to secure the tanks to the plate.

[nikeajax]

I think Mark's may look like this one:



But they did make one for doubles too though...

JB

[tomcatpc]

Jay's got it sussed, but mine does not have the "cross-over" tank clamp, just two galvanized bands instead.
Mark

[scubalawyer]

For optimum placement and performance of a DH on a set of twins (or single for that matter) it is hard to beat the VDH backplate. vintagedoublehose.com/store/?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=8#!/Argonaut-Universal-Back-Plate-for-Double-Hose-Regulators/p/75288352

Of course, if one is so inclined it is hard to beat no backplate and just bands with harness. Alan Klauda's Sea Hunt Model is superb - I have several single and double. See vintagescubastuff.com/products/

[db]

Yes, probably with just the bands and straps is how I will go. Do have the VDH backplate and a couple of Alan’s harnesses, the basket one is pretty cool.

[SeaRat]

Oct 28, 2019 15:21:31 GMT -8 db said:

Yes, probably with just the bands and straps is how I will go. Do have the VDH backplate and a couple of Alan’s harnesses, the basket one is pretty cool.

The basket harness is, I think, meant only for a single tank.

I have used the bands and harness concept for decades.

IMG_1254 by John Ratliff, on Flickr
This is my current setup for my twin 52s. These are steel tanks at 1800 psig. Note that I have a single band, and the twin manifold (USD) on this set. I have used it, and it as comfortable.

IMG_0013 by John Ratliff, on Flickr
This is my twin AL 45s, a 3000 psig setup with simple bands and the harness ("military" harness, with the chest strap, waist strap and crotch strap going into the waist strap). This is the setup I really like, as twins sit on the muscle part of the back and buttocks, and it is really comfortable. It also allows the regulator to be directly against my back, for better placement, and low between my shoulder blades.

304th ARRSq historical002 by John Ratliff, on Flickr
This is twin 72s set up with bands and a military harness. Note the position of the regulator first stage (although these two USAF Pararescuemen are using single hose regulators--the photo is from about 1975).

IMG_2645 by John Ratliff, on Flickr
This photo shows my twin 52s set up on a USD backpack, which I did change out. I really did not like this setup, as it put a lot of pressure right on the muscles going over my hips when I was exiting the water--it could be painful. So I recently (this year) changed it out to the other one in the photo above.

John Photos003 by John Ratliff, on Flickr
This photo shows our PJ jump tanks in about 1970 in Alexander Springs State Park, Florida. Note the position of my Mistral regulator with the military harness. (Yes, that is me, nearly 50 years ago.)

'Hope this helps.

John

[db]

Yea, I was wondering about the type you had on the orange tanks. Not the way to go sounds like. Thanks

[tomcatpc]

I could seriously see me ordering a blue US Divers  Harness and bands for the double 72s from A & D Adventures in the future. I have seen Alan's work and met him a couple times, seems like a decent person and does great work. Other than supporting the small vintage scuba community,  the simple harness and bands seem to take up less storage space as well.

I do have a 60's era Sportsways pack for doubles. I would not use mine for double 72's just because it only has one band and for that size of tank I'd want something more "stable" (hope that made sense?). I could see this pack being great for smaller doubles (which I'd love to have in the future) like 38s, 42s, 50s, etc.?
Mark

[surflung]

No Back Plate Needed w/Twin Tanks

- I've been diving my Twin 38s with the military style harness. It's as comfortable and stable as a back pac but brings the tanks and regulator the closest to the sweet spot... Usually a double hose reg will actually rest right up against your back when you're using this harness and Twin Tanks.