hookah

[capn_nik]

would like to put together my own hookah system on my 34' boat...i know I need an oiless compressor...what are my options as far as regulators go? has anyone built one? any particular kind of filters?

[GordMay]

While you can assermble a Hooka unit from manufactured components - I would not recommend building your own component (ie: regulator).

There's an excellent introduction to Hookah at:
Introduction to Hookah Diving:
http://www.keeneeng.com/pamphlets/introHooka.html

A Hookah regulator is entirely different from a SCUBA regulator. It consists of a "second stage" only, which is fed directly from the output of the reserve tank via the air hose. There are no valve assemblies of the type that are used with SCUBA tanks. Hookah regulators employ a "tilt," or "pin" valve, which delivers a full air flow to the diver at a pressure as low as 30 p.s.i. This type of regulator is specifically designed for use with low pressure Hookah compressors. Hookah regulators, as are all modern regulators, are of the single hose, "demand" type. A "demand" regulator works on a relatively low volume of air, since it only has to deliver air as the diver breathes, or "demands" it.

A SCUBA regulator is designed for use with SCUBA an air tank, and delivers maximum efficiency when operated at a pressure exceeding 100 p.s.i. They require a "first stage" valve assembly, attached to the SCUBA tank. The function of the first stage is to reduce the extremely high pressure of the air in the SCUBA tank from approximately 2,250 p.s.i. to approximately 180 p.s.i. This pressure then goes to the "second stage," which is the part that is worn in the diver's mouth. The second stage of a SCUBA regulator has a spring loaded "downstream" valve which delivers the correct amount of air to the diver when driven by an air pressure ranging from 100 to 250 p.s.i.

A prospective Hookah diver must realize that SCUBA regulators CANNOT be used for Hookah applications without special modifications. A typical Hookah compressor operates in an average pressure range of 30 to 50 p.s.i., which is not enough pressure to drive the spring loaded downstream valve of a SCUBA regulator. A diver who already owns a SCUBA regulator, but who wishes to use it for Hookah applications, must take his regulator to a competent dive shop or repair station and get the regulator converted over for low pressure use; he should not attempt to do it himself. The conversion can be made by installing a set of low tension springs which will give maximum efficiency when operated at low Hookah pressures. A dive shop or repair station will also have the necessary test gauges, etc., to make certain the adaptation has been effective.

See also “Browne’s Third Lung”
http://scuba.com/shop/shopon.asp_category_Regulators


FWIW
Gord

[capn_nik]

thanx for link found a regulator cheaper than I had seen before...would not try to alter or make my own...snorkling is my experience...only want hookah system so I can scrub my own hull and stuff..instead of paying the overpriced divers to do it poorly. I have a compressor, I just need a filter of some sort, hose, and regulator thingie. Oh yeah and a reserve tank.