Back before the scuba mafia took control you could actually buy scuba tanks at K-mart and Sears. This was in the late 60's.
Homemade compressor breather for bottom cleaning???
- Thread starter Maldonia
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I looked at compressors today. I was wondering if 2 cfm at 90 psi would be enough?
They have another that does 4.3 cfm at 90 psi.
Does anyone know how the oiless compressors work? Is there a plastic compression ring or something like that? I would really rather have a diaphram because I know that the air out of that is just clean pure air. But I don't see those around available cheap enough.
Franklin- how many cfm does your porter cable do at 90 psi?
They have another that does 4.3 cfm at 90 psi.
Does anyone know how the oiless compressors work? Is there a plastic compression ring or something like that? I would really rather have a diaphram because I know that the air out of that is just clean pure air. But I don't see those around available cheap enough.
Franklin- how many cfm does your porter cable do at 90 psi?
Like several other posters, I am a certified scuba diver (NASDS in 1973) I agree that anyone who wants to breath compressed air underwater needs to successfully complete a scuba certification class. Rising 4' while holding your breath can seriously damage your lungs. The training includes instilling habits such as never holding your breath. You are always either inhaling or exhaling. It also helps accustoms you to the underwater environment and your limits and abilities underwater. Even if you may can make a hookah rig that provides safe air, you also have to know how to use it safely.
James Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
James Kolstoe, h23 Kara's Boo
Generally 1 CFM is considered enough. Of course it varies tremendously between divers and what you are doing. Wrestling with a speared 12# catfish I breath a lot harder than just fish watching. I actually ran out of air once while using a hack saw to cut a chain. Cruising around at 15-20' a 80 cubic foot tank last over an hour. Of course depth increases the use rate. Inexperienced divers can easily breath twice as hard as an experienced relaxed diver. Cold water increases breathing rate too.
RickMorel-On your system your mouth piece has no regulator in it? I am watching ebay right now to get a regulator. If I don't need a functioning one that is going to cut the cost down.
Just to be clear, you have a compressor with the hose running directly from it to the mouth piece with no first stage or second stage regulators or diaphrams.
So really the only thing is that there is a rubber check valve to let the air out at the mouth piece?
Just to be clear, you have a compressor with the hose running directly from it to the mouth piece with no first stage or second stage regulators or diaphrams.
So really the only thing is that there is a rubber check valve to let the air out at the mouth piece?
That's correct. Well, the 2nd stage diaphram is still there. It has to be to prevent the air leaking out. But no pressure regulation at all, the air is free flowing at all times, even when you're breathing in gently.
When I first tested it, I just used a snorkel with a purge valve before tearing apart a regulator. That worked well except for the awkward "pull" from the hose. I guess one could rig one of those up where it'd be comfortable.
Rick
Well Steve, it's like this.
11 years ago last Feb I had a heart attack and had 5 by-pass's, I was 50 at the time. So every 3 months I go to the Doc. have an ekg and a echocardiogram. Then once a year I have a complete workup including chest x-rays and a stress test. (i thought they would sit me in a chair and yell at me, instead I have to run my ass off on a tredmill.) There hasn't been a problem yet Steve, sorry if I disappointed you.
Oh before I built the "home-made-underwater-breathythingy" I asked the medic if I could hooka dive and he told me to stay above 20 feet because of the heart problem. he has sence lifted that.
if the spelling isn't up to snuff sorry about that.
Tom
s/v GAIA
11 years ago last Feb I had a heart attack and had 5 by-pass's, I was 50 at the time. So every 3 months I go to the Doc. have an ekg and a echocardiogram. Then once a year I have a complete workup including chest x-rays and a stress test. (i thought they would sit me in a chair and yell at me, instead I have to run my ass off on a tredmill.) There hasn't been a problem yet Steve, sorry if I disappointed you.
Oh before I built the "home-made-underwater-breathythingy" I asked the medic if I could hooka dive and he told me to stay above 20 feet because of the heart problem. he has sence lifted that.
if the spelling isn't up to snuff sorry about that.
Tom
s/v GAIA
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Tom-I like to misspell words on purpose to make the spelling bee champions on here uncomfortable.
I got a first stage and 2 regulators for $65 on ebay. when they get here I will buy the compressor.
I wish I was able to service these things myself. Apparently you have to have a masters in part swapping to be able to buy an o-ring.
"Hey I am so excited, I just bought some used life support parts on ebay somebody didn't want anymore! I can't wait to try it out." Darwin Hopeful 2009
I wish I was able to service these things myself. Apparently you have to have a masters in part swapping to be able to buy an o-ring.
"Hey I am so excited, I just bought some used life support parts on ebay somebody didn't want anymore! I can't wait to try it out." Darwin Hopeful 2009
Hermit when I dive I try to have a clear path to the surface and I don't go deeper than I can swim to the surface without breathing. YES YES breath out so that my lungs don't explode!!!! The worst thing would be for you to suck in a lung full of water!!!! The diaphram in the regulator keeps the water out and activates the valve that lets in air to breath. If it fails you can get water. I have had one leak enough that it sprayed sea water on the back of my throat. It made me gag a little but I finished the dive. It was a rental regulator that I rented in Cozumel,Mexico. The octopus regulator on that rig was not much better. Rental equipment often is of very poor quality. Cozumel is a fantastic place to dive if you like walls.
Hermit you can get some really clear water at the jetties on South Padre Island. Mustang island water is too cloudy.
scuba
This is the thing I got. It's a mares akros 1st and second stage with a u.s. divers octo.
Discontinued no doubt, I'm not even sure if parts are available for the mares components.
Sometimes dive companies use the same seals and diaphrams on successive models. If that's the case it would be cool, if not I have something to play under the boat with.
This is the thing I got. It's a mares akros 1st and second stage with a u.s. divers octo.
Discontinued no doubt, I'm not even sure if parts are available for the mares components.
Sometimes dive companies use the same seals and diaphrams on successive models. If that's the case it would be cool, if not I have something to play under the boat with.
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Hey, Hermit-you can also take the simple approach since you've got a first stage. Get a scuba tank, and have a hose shop splice in a long-30 feet or so - length of hose between the first and second stage. you can then leave the tank on the deck while you're under. I used a similar rig for years safely, no contamination issues, no power issues..
I didn't intend on buying a whole set up just yet. I was going to buy sheets so I could sail but with out cleaning the prop and bottom I couldn't get out into the bay. So I had to have a way to clean the bottom and prop. I am not joking the growth down here in Corpus is incredible.
That is a good idea about the longer hose. It would definitely be more comfortable than lugging the tank. I might be able to use pvc hose for pneumatic tools.
I saw some scuba weights in my investors garage at his house the other day. I need to pick those up. He flys everywhere and rents equipment anyway.
Last time I rented a set up I had to tie an anchor to my BCD because I didn't have ay weights.
Now I am probably going to put off the compressor because I can rent a tank for $8. It's just kind of a hassel making sure it's back on time.
That is a good idea about the longer hose. It would definitely be more comfortable than lugging the tank. I might be able to use pvc hose for pneumatic tools.
I saw some scuba weights in my investors garage at his house the other day. I need to pick those up. He flys everywhere and rents equipment anyway.
Last time I rented a set up I had to tie an anchor to my BCD because I didn't have ay weights.
Now I am probably going to put off the compressor because I can rent a tank for $8. It's just kind of a hassel making sure it's back on time.
I picked up a tank for $50. Look on Craig's list . A lot of people buy scuba gear and just let it sit in the garage. I have 4 X 80 cu ft aluminum tanks. That way me and the wife can do a couple of dives whenever we like. I have them filled in the garage and will probably go diving after work Thursday...assuming I can sneak out a little early. My wife hates night dives. I enjoy night dives.
I go to Southern Divers in Birmingham,Alabama. But I am a PADI certified rescue diver. Even though I believe that the average person with a little common sense who is comfortable snorkeling to clean his boat's bottom can safely use a hooka rig in a limited controlled environment....I do believe that diving is dangerous and training is needed if you plan on doing some serious diving. Diving fundamentals are really simple but if you break the rules you die. Kind of like flying a plane. If you don't understand a stall and how to avoid one you die. Also diving in warm clear water at shallow depths is different than dark cold water looking for catfish. A man has to know his limitations.
Tom- go take the class. I took it in junior college many years ago. When I needed to clean the bottom of my boat I told a dive shop I had a license. They looked it up charged me $35 and I got a new card. I don't even remember the classes. but I can rent any scuba gear I need. If I was going to dive deep enough to worry about the bends I would review dive tables online. You can always get a dive computer which is like getting a chart plotter for navigation. Cleaning the bottom of your boat is one thing but if you are going to go deeper you need to decompress or you will regret it, or you will die and not regret it.
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