Scuba Hookah system for under $200

Not a certified diver, but made this neat little hookah system for about $190 . Compressor, hose, air filter and quick-connect fittings from Harbor Freight. 2nd stage regulator from Amazon. Barb to 1/4" FIP adapter from Home Depot.

[@fundementals6202]

Certified ADCI diver here. Love the setup but I highly recommend having the air tested. Even though it’s oil less it could still have oil from the manufacturing process.

[@brochman8307]

Did some more research after watching your video and now looking to add a reserve tank to my Hookah system for the reasons below. The reserve tank (or 'receiver') operates as an air 'reservoir'. It provides a constant volume of air at all times. If you are diving under heavy exertion and demanding a greater amount of air, the large volume of air in the reserve tank will supply the reserve air required. If you were breathing directly from compressor itself, your rate of inhalation might actually surpass the air volume provided by the compressor, and you would not get a sufficient amount of air. The reserve tank functions as a cooling and condensation vessel. Few divers realise it, but the air emerging from a hookah compressor is quite hot, and can actually reach temperatures as high as 190 degrees. As the air enters the reserve tank, it will expand and cool. This expansion process will also condense most of the water contained in the compressed air. Hookah compressors, because of their small size, do not have the capability to remove the moisture from the air and hence, they deliver air with an appreciable moisture content. The expansion process in the reserve tank allows the water to condense, ensuring that the diver breaths less moisture in the air. Floating hookah air reserve Floating hookah air reserveThe reserve tank also suppresses surges from the compressor or any temporary decrease in running speed. Often a compressor's engine will run uneven due to moisture in the petrol. The reserve tank can compensate for this by delivering an even flow of air. Finally, the most important function of all. The reserve tank will contain enough pressurised air to give the diver a couple of minutes breathing time, should his compressor, or engine failure run out of fuel. (not that this is of much help if you're underwater and don't know, because there isn't anyone on the surface to signal you.) Equipment breakdown is not a pleasant thing to consider while working underwater, but is always a possibility. In the event of an engine failure without a reserve tank in the system, a diver could experience an immediate loss of air that could lead to desperation and panic. Any experienced diver will tell you, that panic is the leading cause of drowning incidents. How to add a reserve tank. Hope this helps. www.scubadoctor.com.au/intro-to-hookah-diving.htm kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJDYlKiNe9yCr9k

[@tome5345]

That's good information that people who are diving deeper should heed. As said I use it just for under my boat so am never more than 8 feet under the surface. If the airflow stops, it's a short swim upward. The air-filter I have inline I believe captures moisture, as there's a moisture drain on the bottom.

[@brochman8307]

@@tome5345 The filter you are putting although a good thing does not cool the air coming from the compressor, just a slight blip from the mains electricity to the compressor can cause irregular air flow which could be a pain if you are having to stop and start. I am going ahead with the extra tank more for reliability rather than depth.

[@mirandahotspring4019]

I made one with four 150mm dia high pressure PVC pipes about 600mm long and four 90 deg corners. It serves as the float and the reservoir.

[@douglundy5755]

nice, me too, needing to do bottom work and cant hold my breath long enough to do the job. I think 30 feet is more than this will supply but for 10 feet to fifteen just fine. Thanks for being the test pilot!

[@ulftornert2855]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing! 👍

[@metalworks8189]

Great tutorial

[@sic-n-tiredtired4273]

That's an awesome setup. It would be great to actually see it in use in the water

[@westcoastwaterman]

Till you get lead poisoning

[@sic-n-tiredtired4273]

@@westcoastwaterman I've been using my baur oiless aircompressor for the last yr. Diving 3 times a week, So far so good as far as I know.

[@russnlp678]

I like your enthusiasm and ingenuity. There is a reason why trained divers would never consider using equipment like this........ I am known for taking risks, but as a retired scuba instructor I would not consider using this setup. for someone who doesn't have scuba training using this would be the equivalent of playing Russian roulette. Ignoring the risk of lung and brain damage from the toxic hose pipe and compressor. There is insufficient built in reserve and the hose and fittings are not up to standard and will fail. It is only a matter of time. When this happens without a bail out system you will be forced to free ascend. A free ascent breathing from compressed air from as little as 4 feet can result in lung rupture barotrauma causing Air embolism, Pneumothorax, Mediastinal emphysema and Subcutaneous emphysema. Three of which can be fatal. This is a classic example of the Dunning-Kruger effect. See the 1999 paper by Cornell University psychologists David Dunning and Justin Kruger. The pair tested participants on their logic, grammar, and sense of humor, and found that those who performed in the bottom quartile rated their skills far above average. For example, those in the 12th percentile self-rated their expertise to be, on average, in the 62nd percentile. The researchers attributed the trend to a problem of metacognition-the ability to analyze one’s own thoughts or performance. “Those with limited knowledge in a domain suffer a dual burden: Not only do they reach mistaken conclusions and make regrettable errors, but their incompetence robs them of the ability to realize it,” they wrote.

[@pastovasquez1858]

I made my own . But i little bit different. But same thing a lot of fun with it. Hookamax is one the brands but they use same thing.

[@stu3775]

Excellent.

[@TheSiamAlien]

I guess a wooden container and a large truck tube should compliment this well for a floating rig... could improve the intake and use a carbon filter though.

[@BrianClunie]

Awesome I just subscribed

[@davem5333]

I would be VERY LEERY about having the air from these cheap compressors being forced into my lungs. One has no idea what materials they are made from. Or what they are are outgassing. What is the lead content of the compressor? There is a specification for Restriction on hazardous substances in materials. Maybe if one adds a good charcoal filter to the outlet.

[@vilemd]

Yeah maybe you shouldn't do it if you're scared and just looking at all the possible negative aspects...... Or send it.

[@andrewcloy1]

Thank you

[@michaelcarroll4345]

They make adapters for the separate thread for this exact reason now. Highly recommend only using brass or brass plated. My understanding is that aluminum and steal will corrode. Genius build hope to try to make one.

[@donovansteele834]

It's steel... you spelled it wrong. I'm sorry, but your suggestions cannot be noted as trustworthy because of your spelling mistake. Also brass plated items can outgas chemicals. Your spelling is indicative of your ignorance. Thank you for your time.

[@ironmalice93]

SAE o-ring boss is what the original looked like to me.

[@MM-fh6kp]

Have to use medical grade hosing! Also look at medical grade regulator…..IMO PSI should be about 80

[@rorypenstock1763]

1:12 rip headphone users

[@westcoastwaterman]

This compressor could be build with parts containing lead

[@Djamel_ar]

Hello my friend, good job. Can I do the same thing? Do I have a Xiaomi tire inflator and a small tank??

[@roncanizares9966]

Does it have to be plugged in and running all the time that you are under water or can you pressurize the tank and dive for a while before losing air?

[@tome5345]

If off I can't imagine you'd get more than a minute of enough pressure to breath adequately, but I'm no compressor expert.

[@sargentpepper8931]

GET THE RYOBI BATTERY POWERED ONE !

[@stephenm22100]

How has this worked out for you so far? I'm considering making one myself..

[@tome5345]

Haven't tried it in bay water yet; still pretty cold in the NE. Excellent in a hot tub though 🤿

[@petenaylor1353]

I'm also wondering if .7 SCFM will be a little light for a 5' to 10' bottom cleaning job with 100' of hose?

[@alexmanaila3226]

How about if you make it portable, let's say you get a car compressor that can deliver the same amount of psi, and an external battery of 20,000mah, regulator and hose. Make a case that floats. Would that work?

[@tome5345]

Psi would probably be ok, but cfm not enough with car tire inflator, imho.

[@mirandahotspring4019]

0.7 cfm is not much air! that's only about 20 l/m. It may work in your living room, but at 3m deep that wouldn't be enough for one diver.

[@sargentpepper8931]

I was thinking about the ryobi battery powered one . 120 psi . i was under the assumption that the 2nd stage regulators were 145 psi and that made me give up on my idea for the project . but it looks as though yours is working at less than 145 psi ? i was hoping to float it on an inner tube for snorkeling .

[@tome5345]

I used it in the bay, to about -10ft and with the 50' hose somewhere around 90psi was perfectly fine. Good luck.

[@cartermackenzie1135]

I think 145 is the max psi but I could be mistaken

[@ronaldbruneau9232]

@@tome5345 how did u plug it in?

[@tome5345]

@@ronaldbruneau9232 Generator on my boat; powers 120vac outlets.

[@ronaldbruneau9232]

@@tome5345 I was thinking about the Dewalt 2.5gal 140psi 20v cordless air compressor with 1.0 scam at 90psi but I'm not sure how long the charge would last. I'm looking to put it on a float to pull along. The brownies are alot of money so I'm trying to figure out a cheaper way.

[@cinemoriahFPV]

That ain't going to cut it you need at least 150 LPM. That compressor is only supplying 0.7 SCFM which is less than 20 LPM.

[@tome5345]

For the modest usage I need it for, it cuts it. If anyone were to need more, HF sells the same line with higher capacities.

[@moyockman]

I used the same compressor , bought Chinese regulator and 50 foot of hose I think for 40 bucks. I dove for 2, 2 hour sessions moderate diving exertion . split the hose for two divers. just floating about 4 to 6 feet down pump still was able to cycle not running full cycle. got yelled at for using barbed connectors by a diver.

[@gabrielfusaru1211]

if you could focus mainly on the equipment and not on yourself...