$50 Harbor Freight hookah system testing

[kelemvor]

Wait wait wait. So.. it's just a cheapie oilless compressor with a second stage regulator attached? That's it?

 

[Ben Diver]

Wait wait wait. So.. it's just a cheapie oilless compressor with a second stage regulator attached? That's it?

Pretty much plus i use a 3 stage inline filter, I use a hookah regulator that is designed for 80 psi but I have used my Calypso regulator design for 145 PSI and it worked fine

 

[toddster541]

Would be interesting to see the full analysis if you can post it. I can do permanent gases here, but wouldn't have thought to even look for carbohydrates.

 

[A.S.H.]

I like this, all it takes is one person to buy, test, retest for problems, work those out and now have a inexpensive shallow dive system. That will pay for itself after 10 dives, by saving on air refills ( 12.00 my area ) and the trip back and forth to get them, for me it's a 30 miles one way.
And now we all can follow and have one for ourselves.

Thanks

 

[tbone1004]

Wait wait wait. So.. it's just a cheapie oilless compressor with a second stage regulator attached? That's it?

important to note that the design of the compressor on the Quiet Tech's and similar compressors are the exact same design used in Hookah's and oxygen concentrators *diaphragm pump fwiw*. No high RPM spinny bits with permanent teflon lube like the older style oilless compressors. Downside is they're MUCH heavier than the pancake style and other older/louder oilless compressors, but I'd have no problem using one.

May want to put an inline filter on the end of the hose though like the Brownies have in case some particular gets sucked through though

 

[JamesBon92007]

I like this, all it takes is one person to buy, test, retest for problems, work those out and now have a inexpensive shallow dive system. That will pay for itself after 10 dives, by saving on air refills ( 12.00 my area ) and the trip back and forth to get them, for me it's a 30 miles one way.
And now we all can follow and have one for ourselves.

Thanks

Yes, but you still have to plug it in somewhere. Many of the hookah systems have a little generator that floats in an inner tube. If you have a boat with AC, that might be a good way to go. Harbor Fright used to sell a little 900 watt, 2 stroke genny but then you'll have to figure out how not to breathe the generator exhaust, of course. In that case I'd add an activated carbon filter, at least.

How long are the hoses that are being tested in this thread? Most hookahs I'd seen in the past had 30' hoses so you couldn't dive deep enough to get the bends.

 

[A.S.H.]

Yes, but you still have to plug it in somewhere. Many of the hookah systems have a little generator that floats in an inner tube. If you have a boat with AC, that might be a good way to go. Harbor Fright used to sell a little 900 watt, 2 stroke genny but then you'll have to figure out how not to breathe the generator exhaust, of course. In that case I'd add an activated carbon filter, at least.

How long are the hoses that are being tested in this thread? Most hookahs I'd seen in the past had 30' hoses so you couldn't dive deep enough to get the bends.

I agree, I have batteries and a charger on hand so no new costs there. Im going to round up a couple different kinds of batteries , just for my testing curiosity. Like for instance, truck all weather battery, Marine deep cycle, etc. See which one gives most bottom time per charge at 33ft to start. I understand SAC rates, temperature, depth past 33ft of course has an effect as well.
Still everything being equal for shallow diving this system is spot on.

 

[tbone1004]

I agree, I have batteries and a charger on hand so no new costs there. Im going to round up a couple different kinds of batteries , just for my testing curiosity. Like for instance, truck all weather battery, Marine deep cycle, etc. See which one gives most bottom time per charge at 33ft to start. I understand SAC rates, temperature, depth past 33ft of course has an effect as well.
Still everything being equal for shallow diving this system is spot on.

which compressor are you looking at getting?

no need to actually test though. I wouldn't use any truck starter battery, that's a bad idea. They don't like this kind of draw.

this compressor is 1.5cfm and should be good for one diver to about 33ft and will draw about 600 watts to do it. Add in the loses from an inverter which are usually around 85%, so a 700w draw, or around 60amps on the 12v battery. The high end, big deep cycle batteries are around 100ah and you only want to use about 60% of their capacity so you're looking at an hour of run time. It will actually run an hour and a half, but that's bad for the battery.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-QUI...ctric-Hot-Dog-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000405185

This guy is 2.3cfm so is good for 1 diver to about 70ft, or a pair of divers to 33ft. It draws about 750w and about 900w/75amp@12v with inverter losses. Good for about an hour on a single group 31 deep cycle battery
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-Qui...ic-Twin-Stack-Quiet-Air-Compressor/1000125721

 

[Addicted2H2O]

So OP....where are you planning on diving this handy new hookah system? Diving off a dock in beautiful Clear Lake?

 

[toddster541]

Well, the other way to go is the 12V "Puma" compressors that appear to be identical to the $X5 "Hookamax" pumps. Supposedly about 30 amp draw. I started to put one together, using the two-gallon PD-1021 model, figuring that I could at least (also) use it to inflate the dinghy & toys. But before I collected all the parts, a high-pressure compressor fell into my lap.
Interesting to note that by the time you add external filters and a coil of hose, the 12V compressor doesn't take up any less room on board than the gas-engine high-pressure compressor. Not counting tanks.
BTW, my dock-neighbor cleans his boat every week using an ordinary Home Depot pancake compressor. Seems like I hear it cycle two or three times during the job.