Question Fun with numbers question, or how much weight should I drop

[Justin Phillips]

I am going to move to be moving from a BCD and to a SS Plat wing, and from an AL80 tank to Steel 100 hp.
I wear a two piece 7mm wetsuit and was wearing 34 lbs of lead with the BCD.

So I think I have read 7 lbs for the SS Plate and 6.5 lbs with a steel tank vs an AL80 so roughly 12-14 lbs less with that setup. I would love to hear views on this so I can play during a fun dive this weekend.

 

[inquis]

5 lb difference for the tanks. Empty buoyancies are +4.4 & -0.6 lb for AL80 & HP100.

The plate buoyancy depends on thickness, but that 7 lb difference is probably close for a 3mm (5 lb) plate. A 6mm plate would be a better choice if you're not flying with it.

 

[inquis]

A luggage scale and hot tub (or large trash can) can answer things definitively if you still have the old BCD. Just weigh each submerged with empty bladders.

 

[Justin Phillips]

My plate is 3mm and i will look at 6mm plates. The less lead I have to carry the happier I would be!

 

[johndiver999]

My plate is 3mm and i will look at 6mm plates. The less lead I have to carry the happier I would be!

Until there is a problem and you have to swim up in a crushed down 2-piece 7 mm suit...

 

[halocline]

5 lb difference for the tanks. Empty buoyancies are +4.4 & -0.6 lb for AL80 & HP100.

That depends on which HP100 the OP buys. I have found a greater difference than 5 lbs when switching, closer to 7 lbs.

To the OP;
I would try a dive with 20lbs instead of the current 34 and see what happens. I'd be very surprised if you can't stay down, and you can probably drop a few more lbs. Your current BC is probably a few lbs positive.