Looking at the 12V Powerdive Deck Snorkel for $1780. I know there has been other posts a few years back about appropriate diaphram based compressors you can buy to create a diy unit but has anyone built one lately.
Wondering what other options are out there.

keensailor said..
Looking at the 12V Powerdive Deck Snorkel for $1780. I know there has been other posts a few years back about appropriate diaphram based compressors you can buy to create a diy unit but has anyone built one lately.
Wondering what other options are out there.

I have had mine for awhile. I use the same Thomas pump as the Powerdive unit and I bought a Powerdive regulator. Probably cost me about $450 all up.

I have a power dive, I was only just using it a few days ago and it works so well. After I bought it I noticed there was a company in QLD putting a unit together for about 1/2 the cost of the power dive.

sorry I don't,,, but I saw their product advertised on gumtree, it would be worth researching though.

This is mine if anyone is interested. The pump is bolted to a SS frame which is 1.5 inch tube which acts as a storage chamber and gives some reserve. I have a floating cylinder now as well for added capacity. Hose is the critical component and its Australian made hookah hose and one of the more expensive parts of the unit at about $100. The black hose is an extra flexible hose and is a bit of a luxury. If you have the yellow hose straight to the reg it tends to pull out of you mouth. The battery is a 26AH unit and is ample. Small piece of pantyhose over the intake to stop insects.

good question, how is moisture removed from the hookah hose and reservoir

keensailor said..
good question, how is moisture removed from the hookah hose and reservoir

I have never noticed any moisture. Low pressure hookahs are unlikely to have moisture, mine is about 20psi. It's only when you compress air you get moisture.

nswsailor said..

frant said..
I use an inline oil/water filter. I have the components to make up a hookah unit with a Powerdive regulator as per Ramona's setup. I made up a unit for myself and another for a mate. pm me if interested in the third one.
Ramona said..
I only use to clean the bottom, can get to keel depth (2.8m) ok. Had to retrieve a Batcar dropped overboard in 5-6 metres other day and whilst I did that I certainly wouldn't do that for recreation.

Correct Ramona, re moisture, what is the model number of the Thomas pump you are using?

The thing you all must remember is that the regulator is a "Downstream" type and NOT a tilt valve.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Compressor-Vacuum-Pump-Thomas-907CDC18-/381936542243?hash=item58ed312223

I bought mine secondhand off USA eBay for just over a hundred bucks.

Toph said..
I have an ARB compressor that should be up for the job (I will have to double check). How would I use this for a hookah compressor? Should it go into a tank than the hose from that. It does have a small reservoir but I think it would be pretty much running continuously if it was used for this purpose.

Running continuously is not a problem if the unit is designed to do so. A reservoir is handy if there is a stoppage and there is enough air for a few breaths to get back up. It's important to keep breathing as you ascend.

If this is a high pressure compressor {100 psi} there will be a lot of heat generated at the outlet and 1 metre of heat resistant food quality hose should be used to join to the reservoir or to the hookah hose. 20 metres of hose used and the whole lot in the water to cool the air. The only advantage using high pressure is that normal second stage scuba regs can be used and they are easy to find.
The easiest way to assemble a hookah is to just copy what the bought bastards have. I just copied the part numbers off a mates expensive unit. The regulator I bought from Powerdive from their spare parts catalog.

Do a search on this forum for hookahs. There are several threads on the subject. Pay attention to what fstbttms has to say.
www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f117/hookah-diy-177306.html

Ramona said..

Toph said..
I have an ARB compressor that should be up for the job (I will have to double check). How would I use this for a hookah compressor? Should it go into a tank than the hose from that. It does have a small reservoir but I think it would be pretty much running continuously if it was used for this purpose.

Running continuously is not a problem if the unit is designed to do so. A reservoir is handy if there is a stoppage and there is enough air for a few breaths to get back up. It's important to keep breathing as you ascend.

If this is a high pressure compressor {100 psi} there will be a lot of heat generated at the outlet and 1 metre of heat resistant food quality hose should be used to join to the reservoir or to the hookah hose. 20 metres of hose used and the whole lot in the water to cool the air. The only advantage using high pressure is that normal second stage scuba regs can be used and they are easy to find.
The easiest way to assemble a hookah is to just copy what the bought bastards have. I just copied the part numbers off a mates expensive unit. The regulator I bought from Powerdive from their spare parts catalog.

Do a search on this forum for hookahs. There are several threads on the subject. Pay attention to what fstbttms has to say.
www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f117/hookah-diy-177306.html

Powerdive units have a relief valve that limits pressure. It keeps the compressor exhaust from getting too hot.

+10 Darmah

As a qualified diver equipped for diving l seldom think of hookahs.
The quality of the air from the hookah is seldom comparable with a diving tank and for $5 a refill the price difference of the hookah unit is going to fill my tank for a long long time.
To set up a new tank - new hose - second hand regulator cost me less than $400 and to be able to inspect my mooring tackle is priceless.
Going diving is just a bonus.

darmah said..
I think i'm more comfortable with my dive cylinder. knowing i have clean air and if i have to go deeper its all good. I have used hookers before but nothing compares to a cylinder. If all you want to do is clean your hull leave the cylinder on board and get a 10 mtr hose its easy and safe no risk and refills are cheep, just remember there is a difference when having a reg on your back to having it on the surface. What you pay for a hooker you can do a dive course and it opens a new world and the crays are a bonus :)

I would suggest checking the regulations in your state before chasing crayfish. Some states it's illegal to use scuba to spearfish or chase crays. National parks have their rules too. Abalone diving is another one that needs care. Easy to have your boat confiscated in NSW.

thanks all, I have enough info to cobble one together now.

what should we use for a reservoir tank?

Toph said..
I have an ARB compressor that should be up for the job (I will have to double check). How would I use this for a hookah compressor? Should it go into a tank than the hose from that. It does have a small reservoir but I think it would be pretty much running continuously if it was used for this purpose.

Hi did the arb compressor workout?

Hi
I am using an older arb compressor, which they tell me is oil free. It is the RDKA?? model. I bought a reg, flexible hose and harness from powerdive for $280 (ouch) and will get the rest of it soon, I will try it out and report back.
Hope it works well!
Ramona suggestion for a inline tank made of pvc sounds like a good plan as well.