BP/W STA and Regulator Port Orientation - How do you have your set up?

[ozziworld]

Hello All,

Never thought setting up an STA on an Halcyon Eclipse 30 STA would become a issue.

I started wanting to set up an Atomic Z2 on a Halcyon Eclipse 30 with STA.
This is what I ended up with and was unhappy with the sharp bend in the Primary Regulator Hose.
Atomic Z2 (Non Swivel Turret)

So I started checking out other regulator sets to see if they have similar issues.

Scubapro MK5 Swivelling Turret

Aqualung Core Supreme

This Conshelf XII seems to be the "Best Fit" under the circumstance. Not perfect since the LP Inflator hose would have ideally been sapped with the HP Hose.

So this is what I will be diving for the meantime until I figure a way to use the other regs without and sharp bends.

Hope others can show me how they have set up their regs on a single tank BP/W.

 

[tbone1004]

tank is too low in the rig for one, it is highly unlikely you can manipulate the valve under water. If not, then raise the tank an inch.

The z2 will give you the best hose routing, but you have to rotate the first stage 90*, put the secondary on the bottom post with a super short hose *22" maximum*, likely around 18 or so if you are using braided hoses, and then put everything else down. It will look exactly like the left post on a set of doubles, but have the primary on it. Alternatively you can rotate the turret out to where the long hose is on the bottom port and isn't bending into anything, then the secondary will go somewhat "up" and the inflator will go somewhat "down". First stage will be rotated about 30*.

 

[ozziworld]

Tbone,

I tried turning the Atomic Z2 90 degrees. The left side worked out ok as you described with Primary and Secondary coming out of the now ''bottom ports. My problem was now the inflator hose was not finding a properly oriented port. What was left available were all facing ''up''

 

[BoltSnap]

Turret up no good for you?

 

[tbone1004]

Tbone,

I tried turning the Atomic Z2 90 degrees. The left side worked out ok as you described with Primary and Secondary coming out of the now ''bottom ports. My problem was now the inflator hose was not finding a properly oriented port. What was left available were all facing ''up''

at 90*, the secondary comes out of the "5th" port on the end of the turret, so it is facing straight out. The inflator and primary second stage go down.

 

[ozziworld]

BurhanMuntasser,
I really don't like the turret up as it forces a lowering tank height by 3 inches to avoid head bumping the 1st stage. It will also require making new holes on the STA as the upper tank strap will be past the straight wall of the tank. Am quite sure as well that such a large shift will also affect trim.

Tbone,
Let me try the inflator hose on one of the downward facing ports. Sounds like I will need a longer inflator hose to go around the tank valve to get to the right shoulder. Am really missing a swivel on the turret of the Atomic Z2.
On the MK5 I just reversed the LP hoses and rotated the turret and it all works. A swivel on the Atomic would have made a huge difference.

 

[tbone1004]

unlikely you will need that much longer of an inflator hose, should be about the right length.

The swivel doesn't gain you anything in backmount until you donate a long hose, but the 5th port/bottom port on them gains you everything. Contrasting that, in sidemount the 5th/bottom port gains you next to nothing, and the swivel gains you a lot of comfort

 

[BoltSnap]

I have the primary on a long hose (40") routed under my right arm and connected to the 5th port at the top/bottom of the turret. In this case the first stage will be connected turret facing down and turned at a slight angle to the right to make room for the long hose in case the tank valve is short.

 

[ozziworld]

Ok. Turning the turret 90 degrees also created the problem of the HP Port facing straight into the tank forcing a sharp bend.

Seems a 45 degree turret being the best option using the Atomic Z2 since that solves the HP concern.

Am really liking the MK5 now after reversing the location of the hoses in the turret.

 

[Doby45]

The reg does not have to be at an exact up/down left/right positioning. You can put it at like a 45* angle and that will clear the bottom port of the tank.