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newbie question/ hookah
- Thread starter andrew
- Start date
JungleReaver
New member
what depth do those let you go to? and are there systems that allow you go stay longer? (although i am not sure anybody would want to be underwater for more than 3.5 hours at a time lol
Arkie John
Active member
....that they all leave much to be desired. Here's why:
a. The ones I researched (and I researched all the name brands) operate on the edge of their capacity. The Keene unit (which I consider the best) still operates on the very edge to support just ONE diver, although they say their system will support two. You talk to any owner or previous owner of the Keene systems and you will find frustration. The system will support one diver under ideal circumstances. (no exertion etc)
b. The down time varies but all fall woefully short. All ready-made units I know of use the smaller (can't remember the size) half-size batteries...like large lawn mower batteries. They are quite expensive because they are of a special design for optimum use! You will need at least TWO of these for a good time (one morning and one afternoon dive of 1.5 - 2 hours is all you get!
c. Several have built their own units but because of perceived liability issues, these fortunate few that have great units are reluctant to share the nitty-gritty specifics to where you can produce one like them. Can't say as I blame them.
I finally gave up on the battery operated hookahs and bought a Brownie 460 gasoline system. I can stay down over four hours if diving solo to one atmosphere or less (and that's what I do) or it will support 4 divers to 60 feet, so they say. It will support a single diver to 90 feet for an extended time if you want to fool with decompression.
My unit has a 5 hp Honda engine directly geared to a compressor that gives diver-class air for as long as you are willing to stay in the water! Just bring more fuel. The only drawback is that if you are plundering swimming areas, you almost have to do it during bad weather or early before beach bums gather or later after they have departed. Why? Because the hookah, though not so noisy, is noisy enough to invoke the protests of swimmers to the rangers. Thus a gasoline fueled hookah is restricted to off season diving in swimming areas or at times other than those of occupation by swimmers.
The noise issue was the ONLY reason I wanted an electric unit. Now, I dive at times when the beaches are vacated and I am having a ball, adding to my treasure chest every time I go out.
It is not my intent to impugn the integrity of any hookah producing outfit but are my personal observations and gnashing of teeth when I was in the market for a strong, dependable battery operated electric hookah unit. There is not one on the market that came up to my expectations, including the Keene. Hope this information helps. <><
aj
a. The ones I researched (and I researched all the name brands) operate on the edge of their capacity. The Keene unit (which I consider the best) still operates on the very edge to support just ONE diver, although they say their system will support two. You talk to any owner or previous owner of the Keene systems and you will find frustration. The system will support one diver under ideal circumstances. (no exertion etc)
b. The down time varies but all fall woefully short. All ready-made units I know of use the smaller (can't remember the size) half-size batteries...like large lawn mower batteries. They are quite expensive because they are of a special design for optimum use! You will need at least TWO of these for a good time (one morning and one afternoon dive of 1.5 - 2 hours is all you get!
c. Several have built their own units but because of perceived liability issues, these fortunate few that have great units are reluctant to share the nitty-gritty specifics to where you can produce one like them. Can't say as I blame them.
I finally gave up on the battery operated hookahs and bought a Brownie 460 gasoline system. I can stay down over four hours if diving solo to one atmosphere or less (and that's what I do) or it will support 4 divers to 60 feet, so they say. It will support a single diver to 90 feet for an extended time if you want to fool with decompression.
My unit has a 5 hp Honda engine directly geared to a compressor that gives diver-class air for as long as you are willing to stay in the water! Just bring more fuel. The only drawback is that if you are plundering swimming areas, you almost have to do it during bad weather or early before beach bums gather or later after they have departed. Why? Because the hookah, though not so noisy, is noisy enough to invoke the protests of swimmers to the rangers. Thus a gasoline fueled hookah is restricted to off season diving in swimming areas or at times other than those of occupation by swimmers.
The noise issue was the ONLY reason I wanted an electric unit. Now, I dive at times when the beaches are vacated and I am having a ball, adding to my treasure chest every time I go out.
It is not my intent to impugn the integrity of any hookah producing outfit but are my personal observations and gnashing of teeth when I was in the market for a strong, dependable battery operated electric hookah unit. There is not one on the market that came up to my expectations, including the Keene. Hope this information helps. <><
aj
Corporal Hags
New member
New to these forums and new to hookah's. Got PADI certified back in the 80's Now an old man w 3 kids. Had a swimming pool installed a couple years ago and had leak in it. wound up paying a guy $150. just to swim around and patch the hole. At this point I'm only interested in setting up a similar system to use in the pool 6' deep. any recommendations on diy cheap alternatives. Thinking plug in oiless compressor., regulator and hose for under 200
I use the powerdive unit and instead of the 34 amp battery use two Odyssey AGM 68 amp batteries the unit puts out 4.5 cfm which is more than enought. Also the draw is 25 amp hour one diver is good to 40 feet two 20 feet. The only thing I needed was a BCD connector line. I also only venture into the swim areas on cloudy rain days but that suits me fine. Dan
grumpyolman
New member
I have the Sink hookah and love it. It's used by many university ocean research programs and has the Thomas compressor. DO NOT use a compressor that is not made for diving. You can hook it up to a water wheel for power if you want, but do not use a compressor not specifically made for breathing. I get 2.5 hours out of a tank of fuel and it'll do two divers to 60'. I rarely go deeper than 3' pirating the swimming areas. I too hate the noise. It was suggested by people in the know that I don't need to run the engine at the high throttle range where it is factory set, the noise factor even though it's a Honda, as the volume of air needed at the depths I dive is far less than what it was designed to do. The 'pop off' valve goes off often to release an over pressure situation because the machine is set to work with two people at 60', not one at 3'. Haven't tried it yet. I know what you mean about sneaking into a diving area after the swim season or before the life guards come on duty. If I had the motor running in my backyard when I was resting, I'd disable it some way. Jim
grumpyolman
New member
I finally got around to lowering the engine speed on my Airline hookah to see if it makes it quieter but still provides adequate air. I discovered I can run it just above and idle and it still provides plenty of air for the shallow stuff. It won't go to a complete idle because at the low RPMs it isn't developing enough power to run the compressor. It'll stall. However, give it a few more revs and it's fine. The jury is still out on going electric. I want to try this a couple more times but I think with the motor at low speed it may not be too offensive. I would guess it's reduced the noise 50-60%.
About the electrics not doing the job. Airline always gives conservative stats on it's units. If I bought the 12V unit I don't think I'd have any trouble supplying two divers in 3-4' of water metal detecting.. It's not made for deep stuff. How deep do you go when you are running your metal detector? I've always figured most of the lost loot is where the highest concentration of people is/was and that is not over belly button deep from what I've observed. The kids play shallow and the moms, with their nice diamond rings on, go splash in the water with them. Under the dive platform or off the float on the shore side is sometimes good to. That is rarely deeper than 12' as it doesn't have to be deeper to be safe for diving and much deeper you run into extra costs of anchoring the platform or driving pilings to support the diving area. Just my 2 cents worth. Jim
About the electrics not doing the job. Airline always gives conservative stats on it's units. If I bought the 12V unit I don't think I'd have any trouble supplying two divers in 3-4' of water metal detecting.. It's not made for deep stuff. How deep do you go when you are running your metal detector? I've always figured most of the lost loot is where the highest concentration of people is/was and that is not over belly button deep from what I've observed. The kids play shallow and the moms, with their nice diamond rings on, go splash in the water with them. Under the dive platform or off the float on the shore side is sometimes good to. That is rarely deeper than 12' as it doesn't have to be deeper to be safe for diving and much deeper you run into extra costs of anchoring the platform or driving pilings to support the diving area. Just my 2 cents worth. Jim
Check out Battery Mart for some excellent prices for marine deep draw batteries in the 51 - 70 Ah range at http://www.batterymart.com/c-deep-cycle-marine-batteries.html. Looks like $150.00 would cover some good options, although I haven't tried their's yet. Weight is a consideration - these things can be a back breaker if you're loading a truck etc. So I'm looking at about 55Ah at about 40# rather than something in the 70Ah class at 70# up. Two batts at, say, $150 each doesn't sound so bad (cheaper than a 80cf tank) and ought to give me an 1:15+ at a dive (Ah divided by/ compressor power drain). Plus, Battery Mart ships no tax. At 10% tax where I am, I can order from W. Virginia and save $20+ per batt under Batteries Plus locally. My 2 cents worth.
Flyguy
Flyguy
grumpyolman
New member
Check Airlines site and read about the battery choices. They state that a 'deep cycle marine battery' is too generic a descriptor as not all deep cycle marine batteries are built the same. The problem is the abuse of the deep discharge shortens the useful life of the batteries. They mentioned a specific type of deep cycle marine battery that is able to withstand that cycling. Can't remember the 'type' that is. When I looked that type up on the internet they ran about $250. They claime 1.5 hours run time with a group 24 and 2 hours with a group 31. Once you've spent $200 on a battery as few more dollars to get longer runtime is not too big an expense for the extra value. I do remember the weight. 75 lbs. If I go that way, I'm going to modify a hand truck with big soft wheels and attach everything to that hand truck.I'll just scoot it out the back of the SUV and roll it to the beach, roll out the hose, and turn it on. Regards...Jim
Hey Jim,
Just a question or 2 mate, Where abouts in Oz can I pick up a compressor/hookah gear, preferably electric as I
intend to use it from my 15ft Bass and Barra boat. I will run it from a 12v 100amp/h deep cycle marine battery and will be diving to a depth of only 10ft max.
I am a qualified open water diver and have done a bit of hookah when dredging was allowed in Oz a few yrs back.
I use my boat a fair bit chasing gold and goodies and was hoping someone could lead me in the right direction.
Regards
Aushunter
Just a question or 2 mate, Where abouts in Oz can I pick up a compressor/hookah gear, preferably electric as I
intend to use it from my 15ft Bass and Barra boat. I will run it from a 12v 100amp/h deep cycle marine battery and will be diving to a depth of only 10ft max.
I am a qualified open water diver and have done a bit of hookah when dredging was allowed in Oz a few yrs back.
I use my boat a fair bit chasing gold and goodies and was hoping someone could lead me in the right direction.
Regards
Aushunter