Hookah compressor

[rmptr]

Should I continue my search for a used hookah compressor?

or just buy a new T-80 from Keene for $300 and belt it to my briggs?

Thanks

rmptr

 

[Frank in NH]

You can't go wrong with a T80 i have used a couple for diving, gives plenty of air.

 

[TNBob]

The T80 is a good compressor but a Gast 263 is much better and will give you more air. I have been diving with a hooka compressor on a gold dredge since 1999 and have recovered many many ounces of gold out of rivers. Started Scuba diving in 1981, but the hooka is much better for shallow water diving. I recommend using a Gas powered compressor. You should get a Honda GAX engine and it holds about a gallon of gas. You will get 2 to 21/2 hours of dive time running full throttle, but you can run at half throttle and get more time. I have run a 4 inch dredge for years with a 6.5HP Honda and T80 gray compressor. Make sure that you retension the belt after the first hour cause a new one will loosen up quickly and not spin you compressor but overheat and break the belt. You might try looking for a used Hooka compressor on the Gold Prospecting forums like Tom Ashworths. Check the classified ads. There was a guy selling them for like a hundred bucks recently. If you have any questions on hooka compressors, I have tons of diving experience with them. Also, make sure you get a stainless steel air resivour so you dont run out of air while on the bottom if your motor quits running.
TNBOB

 

[Arkie John]

...and an extra compressed bottle w/ octopus?

I am gearing up for hookah this spring. Been scuba diving since late 70's but want to regear with hookah. Will not be diving beyond 33 ft--probably less than 25 feet.

I just feel the need for a security blanket in the form of a BC. Since the newer ones work off of a compressed air supply, I figured that placing a spare pony tank in the place of an 80, and run the bc off the pony would do the trick. What do you think?

I will be freshwater diving only. Thanks for your advice.

aj

 

[TNBob]

I never dive with a spare pony tank, but if you are going deeper than 15 feet you should probably have a BC for emergencies and a compressed air supply is necessary. The hooka will give you a minute or so of breaths from the inline tank once it shuts off so you will have time to surface when it shuts off. If you are really working hard the T80 compressor will not provide enough air like when moving ballast rocks, but for normal diving it is fine. I recommend the gray colored compressors over the blue as they are more reliable. The Gast compressor is for 2 or 3 divers at a time, but it will give you more air if you are working hard. I have to slow down some when moving big rocks so I dont get too out of breath or the compressor wont keep up. Generally I am good for about 2 hours underwater then I have to come up and rest, drink a coke and eat some. With a gas powered motor a 4 HP Honda should be sufficient and you can fill up the gas tank when you surface. Hooka gives you alot of freedom diving that you cant get with SCUBA. It is definitely the way to go for treasure diving. Found alot of gold with my hooka rig. Just had some coins made out of my gold from a professional jeweler in Florida. Cant wait to see them. 23KT. Good luck hunting.
TNBob

 

[scrosley]

http://cgi.ebay.com/WACKER-8HP-HONDA-MOTOR-3-INCH-TRASH-WATER-PUMP-GREAT_W0QQitemZ380089432230QQcmdZViewItemQQptZBI_Pumps?hash=item380089432230&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50

I am trying to build a dredge I have the pump above. Can I attach a T80 compressor to this pump? Any one know where to get a good deal on one. Also looking for a deal on 5 inch tubing.

Thanks,

Scott