I'M LOOKING FOR A 12V HOOKAH. ANY INFO APPRECIATED

[bigdave195412]

I'M CONSIDERING A 12 V HOOKAH SYSTEM. IS ANYONE USING ONE NOW OR HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS.

I MIGHT EVEN CONSIDER BUILDING SOMETHING IF I COULD FIND THE RIGHT COMPRESSOR.

 

[Arkie John]

and believe I am going to go with Keene Engineering's Hydro-Air. Why? Well, speaking with Mark Keene, he states that beccause the compressor is activated by a 'demand' switch, it only runs when there is demand, thus saving valuable battery life and extending bottom time.

The 12vs are quiet with NO chance of air contamination. The oilless (of course) compressor is a two-piston variety that is mounted under the water line. Mark told me the other day that he took a Hydro Air to the big island and that it had no problem 'outlasting him.' The bottom time on one battery is the longest I have found on any electric system and I think that's due to the demand switch. Mark states that he uses sealed gel-type marine batteries and that having an extra or two topside will insure a day of good diving.

Lastly, he stated that when the time DOES come time for a compressor rebuild, that they are quite easy to re-do, or you can send it to him and he will have his folks rebuild it for around 150 bucks plus postage.

At $1,695 it seems like the thing to do if one buys a 'store-bought' unit. The only other hookah I would consider would be a Brownie and even with them, I'm not so impressed with their electric set-ups.

If you are good with your hands and confident in your work (remember you are betting your LIFE on a home-built machine) then I feel certain there is bunches of technical expertise--and friendly folks--on this forum that will enable you to get in the water for a little over half the price of a new Hydo-air.

I expect to abandon scuba entirely once I am set up with my soon-to-be-purchased hookah. I just think that the way I dive, it is the only way to go. By the way, (I'm not familiar with most of this forum memebers backgrounds) but get certified if you're not. Just my thoughts.

aj

 

[Northwestgoat]

Hi, I own the Keene Hydro air and there are a couple of pros and cons that I have seen.
The pros: no gas to carry and deal with, quite on top so you do not attract attention. Drop a battery in and go.
The cons: The compressor is below the water line so you hear the compressor when it runs and this makes it harder to hear your detector, It will not supply two people as stated in Keenes ad. The inner tube that they supply with the unit is so small that the skirt that goes around the tube fills with water and you cannot lift the unit out of the water at the end of your dive due to the weight of the water in the skirt. The unit comes with no instructions or care manual you are pretty much on your own.
I have owned my Hydro-Air almost two years and have had no mechanical problems. Mark Keene told me the exact same story two years ago about going to the Big Island and buying a battery at a local auto store and just leaving it there when he returned to the main land.
I could not imagine taking the Hydro-Air compressor, hose, weight belt, regulator, wetsuit, metal detector, mask and fins and all your clothes on a commercial airlines with a 50pound weight limit.
Oh well that's just my thoughts. I'm sure what ever decision you make will be the right one, Happy diving and be safe!!

 

[Arkie John]

...states the unit will not support two divers. That is a showstopper to me. Personally I don't need a unit that will only support a single diver. I want one that will COMFORTABLY support a minimum of TWO divers.

Looks like I'm gonna have to settle for a gas unit and pay the extra bucks. I really appreciate your input here. $1,700 bucks is a lot of money to put into a unit that may not perform to expectations.

Back to the drawing board! <><

aj

 

[Daniel A.]

I went with the powerdive unit after looking at the others and talking to resort people to see what they thought. The complaints you have are part of the reason the resort people said the same. If a company has design issues and keeps making the same product why buy. Dan

 

[Bottomfeeder]

Heres one I put together for short times under water. Its not meant to cruise endlessly like a tank, but to use for brief looks on the bottom, or drop down to retrieve a target. Runs on a deep cycle marine battery. 15 pound pressure differential control turns it on and off as neede, pressure is adjustable. Cost me about $300.00 for the main compressor unit, plus I already had the second stage reg and filters.