Bottom Clean Breathing Device

[Paperbird]

Anybody ever tried a pony scuba tank? Essentially a small tank typically used as a backup for wreck diving or similar. Tank and backpack runs about $200.

[Ex-Calif]

After free diving a couple of times I decided to buy a used set of gear off craigs list last spring. BCD, twin Regulator with pressure and depth guages and he tossed in a set of booties for about $100.

I picked up a belt and some weight locally. Already had mask, fins and snorkel.

There is a dive shop here that rents the tanks with a charge for about $16 bucks.

I don't use the bcd to clean the bottom. I float the tank (tied off to the boat) and have a 10 foot supply line. I find it helps to be slightly positive buoyant as well. It usually takes me about 1000 psi of air to clean the bottom. I forget the volume calc. The also have the pony tank but its the same price.

I can probably get the bottom cleaned for similar money around here but I find my monthly dive therapeutic and I can get a good look at things myself.

Interestingly the first time I went to rent the tank (after telling him what I was up to) I asked the guy if he wanted to see my PADI card. He said no need. Most sailboaters know how to dive.

[shamrock]

I thought about buying a "Spare Air" 3 cubic foot tank for cleaning my bottom. I was not sure if it would have enough air though??

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by shamrock

I thought about buying a "Spare Air" 3 cubic foot tank for cleaning my bottom. I was not sure if it would have enough air though??

Not even close. If you use Ex-Calif's example for calculation he used 1000 psi out of a standard tank. He didn't say but assume that would be a standard Al 80 cu ft. Fill pressure on Al 80s is 3000 psi so he used a third of the pressure. The calculation isn't linear but for a quick and dirty estimate that's about 1/4-1/3 of 80 cu ft or at least 20 cu ft for a 25' sailboat.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by skipmac

Not even close. If you use Ex-Calif's example for calculation he used 1000 psi out of a standard tank. He didn't say but assume that would be a standard Al 80 cu ft. Fill pressure on Al 80s is 3000 psi so he used a third of the pressure. The calculation isn't linear but for a quick and dirty estimate that's about 1/4-1/3 of 80 cu ft or at least 20 cu ft for a 25' sailboat.

Yup - Just did the calcs and it is about 25-35 Cu/Ft typically for me.

Also "working" vs. sport diving will consume a lot more.

This may help others...

SAC Calculator

[bobconnie]

We have an OLD Hooka set up thats electric 110/115 volts, requires the genny running, or be at a dock with power ! bout the only time we use it is for cleaning the bottom when we cruise as here in the fresh water we have (and the great bottom paint LOL) we dont need to do much except sail it once a week or so!! Have used it a time or two to ck my anchor in water a little deeper then I like to free dive in or when the waters to dirty to see well ! Had the darn thing 20 + yrs, and it's still going just fine ! and it was used when I bought it from another cruiser!! it works just fine for cleaning the bottom !! just my 2 cents

[rebel heart]

I have my own dive gear. It's relatively easy to service myself (keep it clean, basically), didn't cost an arm and a leg, and is something I enjoy doing anyway. Diving my boat is fun. I love being in the water floating and putting the zincs on. I know it sounds weird, but it's my favorite maintenance job.

In a nice bay just hop in the water, go for a dive and see stuff, then swim back with some air to spare to check out the boat. No muss, no fuss.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by kaw0922

It kills me to pay a diver to do such a simple job...

Oh, brother. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

[Capn Morgan]

A 30 cu ft pony tank just about does it, once a month, just like Dan. Our advantage is the water temperature, it just doesn't seem to limit the time down there and we never wear wetsuits...

[boden36]

Years ago I made a 12 volt hookah from two of the larger size accessory tyre pumps.
They feed to a low pressure hookah regulator through 60 ft of breathing hose.
There is also a pressure switch that cycles it on and off.
Works pretty well for general cleaning, but is marginal if you are working hard.

Regards,
Richard.

[Jimbo485]

Originally Posted by boden36

Years ago I made a 12 volt hookah from two of the larger size accessory tyre pumps.
They feed to a low pressure hookah regulator through 60 ft of breathing hose.
There is also a pressure switch that cycles it on and off.
Works pretty well for general cleaning, but is marginal if you are working hard.

Regards,
Richard.

Very interesting, Richard. Can you please provide more details about how you did this and what materials you used?

We would love to set up something similar because we carry very little fuel, no generator and a decent amount of solar power and battery capacity.

[boden36]

Jimbo,
I bought two of the12 volt portable pressure pumps that people use for pumping up tyres, but they were the larger sort for truck tyres and the like. I think they cost about $100 each and were advertised as "heavy duty".
Mounted on a board, the outputs were connected to a tee.
There is another tee which leads to a pressure switch from an old air compressor.
To protect the contacts in the switch, it is connected to two relays that drive the compressors.
The feed wires from the relays are connected to heavier wires with alligator clips on them which connect to the boat's battery.
The air line is the special hose for breathing air.The fact that it is 60 ft long allows the air to cool a bit.
I bought the second stage regulator ( the bit that goes in your mouth) on eBay. They are advertised as low pressure regulators for hookahs.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Richard.

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Oh, brother. I can't wait to see how this turns out.

Took 22 posts to get you up in the wake

[Dulcesuenos]

My take is a scuba tank needs a vip.once a year so that costs $.20. @ Plus $6-8 everytime you fill it. And a hydro every 5 years I think. So unless your a diver anyways it still costs. If you have power its much cheaper to buy a $39.00 oiless. 3 gallon pancake compressor from harbor freight. Buy 100' airline get a used regulator and have a hydraulic shop make a fitting to connect the airline to the reg. Works perfect. The low pressure side of a scubas first stage knocks the 3000 psi. Down to 100psi or so. So the compressor is perfect. And its small. You will need a small weight belt and clip your hose to it to keep it clear and a suction grip hand grip helps keep u in place. Total initial cost should $100+/

[sctpc]

I use this Air Compressor Electric DC 12V Hookah Diving Yacht Boat Hull Cleaning Dredging | eBay it works good but I must regulate my breathing, and its in AU so post would be expensive but may help you with ideas.