Finished my hookah

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

Bought a floating inflatable cooler to float everything. Battery will last about 90 minutes. Only thing I don't like is the compressor is constantly pushing air through the "snorkel". There will be a constant stream of bubbles underwater. Going to have to rearrange the compressor so the fan is pointing straight up. Took it out for a spin (in my living room) for 15 minutes or so. Will give it a go in 5ft deep water in a few weeks and see how it runs in water.
If you see a way to improve it please share

Ron 71 · Sep 17, 2017

Looks nice, most of the ones I see online are unreasonably priced, even the parts are expensive.
Were you able to put this together for a decent price?
This may be a winter project for me this year too.
Good luck with the first test run, look forward to seeing how she works!

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

Ron 71 said:
Looks nice, most of the ones I see online are unreasonably priced, even the parts are expensive.
Were you able to put this together for a decent price?
This may be a winter project for me this year too.
Good luck with the first test run, look forward to seeing how she works!

$300 or so for everything. The snorkel will take some getting used to. Feels like trying to take a breath from a stream of air. Worked fine in the living room :laughing:

... next test will be in a pool

dirtydog · Sep 17, 2017

I know nothing about them but it looks cool. Good luck on the first water test.

OBN · Sep 17, 2017

I think you have a good thing..Good Luck and Be Safe.

At one time I was thinking of getting one but we only have a few spots it could be used since the bay is so shallow. Most places here we can walk out over a hundred yards and only be chest deep.

WaterWalker · Sep 17, 2017

One important piece is missing form your setup. A regulator. About $40.00
A second part missing is the air reservoir.
That being said...
Take a look at a full face mask. One should handle the pressure problem, BUT you may not be able to "stay down" as the amount of air in the mask at 4 feet in the water tends to force ones head back up to the surface. I could not stay down in a pool. But the full face mask it perfect for getting into the extra inch or two of water while wading.

Make it safe, stay safe, live longer.

digitall · Sep 17, 2017

Snorkel-air hose contraption

This will get you into the (Darwin Award) running for first place.

Please get yourself a hookah regulator before you kill yourself!!!!!!

ScubaDetective · Sep 17, 2017

YOU need a regulator AND a reserve tank with a shut off valve for the compressor when the tank gets full. THAT is why ones that are more expensive have a higher price.

Tank gets full electric compressor stops. Breathe a few breaths and the compressor starts again.

Good luck with that thing. If it was me I wouldn't try it but I am older probably.

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

digitall said:
This will get you into the (Darwin Award) running for first place.

Please get yourself a hookah regulator before you kill yourself!!!!!!

The compressor came with the piping and the snorkel as a regulator. Air is constantly being pumped through. Will need to get my hands on a regulator

007tallguy · Sep 17, 2017

if something ever happens within that battery and a cell shorts out, you're going to get an awfully nasty lung-full of sulfuric acid vapors and toxic smoke. that's before the compressor completely quits on you.

matmit · Sep 17, 2017

Unless you are trying to hide what you are doing, I would strongly recommend a large dive flag on top!

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

OBN said:
I think you have a good thing..Good Luck and Be Safe.

At one time I was thinking of getting one but we only have a few spots it could be used since the bay is so shallow. Most places here we can walk out over a hundred yards and only be chest deep.

Same with me. Only a couple spots all less than 6ft deep. Definitely won't be using this anywhere deeper than that. Just bought a regulator for it

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

007tallguy said:
if something ever happens within that battery and a cell shorts out, you're going to get an awfully nasty lung-full of sulfuric acid vapors and toxic smoke. that's before the compressor completely quits on you.

These will be short shallow dives only when the water is smooth as glass. 6ft depth is the absolute maximum. Battery is in a sealed box and will be checked and charged after every use.

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

matmit said:
Unless you are trying to hide what you are doing, I would strongly recommend a large dive flag on top!

No boats where i will be. I will pick 1 up soon anyway.

matmit · Sep 17, 2017

Steve said:
These will be short shallow dives only when the water is smooth as glass. 6ft depth is the absolute maximum. Battery is in a sealed box and will be checked and charged after every use.

I hope you are 6 feet 6 inches tall :lol:

zeemang · Sep 17, 2017

Personally i would be a bit nervous with that setup, as scuba pointed out, pretty much every hookah setup has a reservoir tank that is really necessary, when you go to suck in and find nothing the first time you will wish you had one. There must be a way to turn the little pump in to something that will kick on and off as the pressure in the reserve tank drops, like a regular compressor kicks on and off, you want the same.
Where I live alot of people use gas powered hookah setup and they have used some pretty sketchy (very sketchy) setups, i have even seen an old beer keg used as the air reservoir! At least half a dozen or so people die here every year using those setups so we know how safe they are...
Even this one, which appears pretty basic, uses a reserve that floats just off the side, looks plumbed inline with the hose: http://www.diveandfish.com.au/special/powerdive-power-snorkel.html

I'm not getting on you for your work, just trying to give you some ideas that would make that setup alot safer...

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

zeemang said:
Personally i would be a bit nervous with that setup, as scuba pointed out, pretty much every hookah setup has a reservoir tank that is really necessary, when you go to suck in and find nothing the first time you will wish you had one. There must be a way to turn the little pump in to something that will kick on and off as the pressure in the reserve tank drops, like a regular compressor kicks on and off, you want the same.
Where I live alot of people use gas powered hookah setup and they have used some pretty sketchy (very sketchy) setups, i have even seen an old beer keg used as the air reservoir! At least half a dozen or so people die here every year using those setups so we know how safe they are...
Even this one, which appears pretty basic, uses a reserve that floats just off the side, looks plumbed inline with the hose: http://www.diveandfish.com.au/special/powerdive-power-snorkel.html

I'm not getting on you for your work, just trying to give you some ideas that would make that setup alot safer...

Not really my work. Just assembled the equipment. Main problem is transportation. I usually take the bus/subway for transportation. I won't be able to take a gas motor. This is for very shallow water. If there is no air it would be a case of simply standing up. I will see about a reserve tank.. but it might be hard to do. I will make sure it's safe before actually using it in the water

rob.ream258 · Sep 17, 2017

I agree with the others - you need a hookah regulator!

Living in Florida I've snorkeled for many years but can't scuba since I can't "pop my ears". To snorkel you need to seal your mouth around the snorkel or water will get into your mouth/lungs. Your current setup (if you didn't drown) wouldn't workout at all but I'm sure you'd figure that out the first minute under water.

I do like what you've come up with and definitely update us on your progress and test dives....

Steve · Sep 17, 2017

rob.ream258 said:
I agree with the others - you need a hookah regulator!

Living in Florida I've snorkeled for many years but can't scuba since I can't "pop my ears". To snorkel you need to seal your mouth around the snorkel or water will get into your mouth/lungs. Your current setup (if you didn't drown) wouldn't workout at all but I'm sure you'd figure that out the first minute under water.

I do like what you've come up with and definitely update us on your progress and test dives....

Bought a regulator. Used it for 15 minutes or so in the living room with the snorkel. Was working, but not very satisfied with the result. Felt like trying to breathe off a stream of air

Numil · Sep 17, 2017

Steve said:
Bought a regulator. Used it for 15 minutes or so in the living room with the snorkel. Was working, but not very satisfied with the result. Felt like trying to breathe off a stream of air

This is because your at equal pressure at all points. get in the water with it before you decide to endanger yourself. Regulators work best when slightly (even an inch or two) lower than the rest of you which I assume where you want it.

Finished my hookah

Steve

Attachments

Ron 71

Steve

dirtydog

OBN

OldCherryPicker

WaterWalker

Full Member

digitall

Full Member

ScubaDetective

In Memory Of

Steve

007tallguy

Elite Member

matmit

Elite Member

Steve

Steve

Steve

matmit

Elite Member

zeemang

Steve

rob.ream258

Elite Member

Steve

Numil

Elite Member

Similar threads