Dive Hookah Compressor?

[SKMT]

I live on a 44ft boat and a 4 ft draft. I clean my bottom with a gas brownie. I would like to buy an oil less aluminum tank 120v electric compressor strictly for bottom cleaning my own boat.

Harbor freight currently has sales on both the 1 gallon and 2 gallon tanked version. I have attached the specs. The 1 gallon is smaller, lighter, lower amperage, and cheaper, so i would prefer that if it can supply enough air. I put the compressor in my cockpit when cleaning, so it needs to be able to push the air thru 60ft of the brownie hose (but only 4ft max depth).

If i only had 1 hookah I would buy the 2gal. But since i will be keeping the brownie, i will still have the ability to go deeper if i ever need to. Can anyone definitively advise if the specs on the 1gal compressor would be plenty adequate for my use?

[SKMT]

I should also mention that I do not want to have to be conservative with my breathing.

[SKMT]

Below are the links to the compressors. The 2gal is ob sale for $160 with a coupon and explicity states aluminum. The 1 gallon is on sale for $140 -- i am waiting for customer service to confirm if that model also has an aluminum tank since it is not noted. These look to be slightly cheaper copies of "california air tools" models which i have seen used for hookah rigs, which is why i have gravitated towards them. If there is a reason I should avoid in favor of a different compressor, please advise.

https://www.harborfreight.com/1-gall...sor-64592.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-gall...sor-64596.html

[kapnd]

Average human lung capacity is about 6 liters, so I’d venture to guess that either size of storage tank will stay maxed out, and the compressor will run nonstop regardless.
The pro bottom cleaning guys in my area use small oil less compressors with no storage tanks.

[Bellinghamster]

Average breath volume is around 0.5L. Breath every 5 seconds is 12 per minute, or 6L per minute, or a bit over 0.2 CFM. 4ft depth is ~1.133 atmospheres, so you're breathing close to 7L/min (0.25CFM) of "surface air" while at that depth. Seems like the 0.7CFM compressor *should* be able to keep up for shallow diving. Apply a "harbor freight optimistic rating" adjustment factor of about 50% and that starts getting close, but still sufficient.
That said, I'd still probably go with the larger compressor...

[denverd0n]

The compressor is the same for both. The only difference is the size of the tank. Either one will supply you with enough air. The one with a 2-gallon tank might not run quite as continuously as the 1-gallon model.

I personally have the 2-gallon version. It works quite well, and is quieter than I really expected. Also fills the tank from empty to 135 psi more quickly than I expected. Were I using it as a hookah compressor I would probably put a filter on the output.

Good luck!

[SKMT]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

The compressor is the same for both. The only difference is the size of the tank.

That seems unlikely, as the amperage differance is 2.8 vs 7.1. And they even have different decibel ratings.

[Kello]

Compressor TANKS ?? Some years ago when I was living where the water was clean enough I could see the land underneath my boat, of course the marine growth was happy and productive, so I looked into buying gear so I could clean my hull and prop myself. Research was inconclusive, so I talked to several divers and purchased a highly rated and recommended oil-less compressor.

It's been years, so I don't remember the specifics, but somehow it rings a bell that you DON'T want to breathing air that has been in a(n inevitably rusty) compressor tank. And, IMO, any tank from Harbor Freight is guaranteed to get rusty.

And, as much as I love HF products, trusting my life to any of them is not something I would consider.

As life would have it, I've decided to settle down in a place with water so nasty that I immediately wash my skin if it gets on me. If you need a hooka compressor mine is for sale, I use it several times a year for other purposes so I guarantee it works great, but it isn't the right compressor for anything I have been using it for.

Whatever you choose, please choose to not breathe air from a HF tank.

[SKMT]

Originally Posted by Kello

Compressor TANKS ?? Some years ago when I was living where the water was clean enough I could see the land underneath my boat, of course the marine growth was happy and productive, so I looked into buying gear so I could clean my hull and prop myself. Research was inconclusive, so I talked to several divers and purchased a highly rated and recommended oil-less compressor.

It's been years, so I don't remember the specifics, but somehow it rings a bell that you DON'T want to breathing air that has been in a(n inevitably rusty) compressor tank. And, IMO, any tank from Harbor Freight is guaranteed to get rusty.

And, as much as I love HF products, trusting my life to any of them is not something I would consider.

As life would have it, I've decided to settle down in a place with water so nasty that I immediately wash my skin if it gets on me. If you need a hooka compressor mine is for sale, I use it several times a year for other purposes so I guarantee it works great, but it isn't the right compressor for anything I have been using it for.

Whatever you choose, please choose to not breathe air from a HF tank.

You took the time to write that rambling response, but somehow missed that the tank is aluminum and the compressor is oil-less....

[SKMT]

Originally Posted by kapnd

Average human lung capacity is about 6 liters, so I’d venture to guess that either size of storage tank will stay maxed out, and the compressor will run nonstop regardless.
The pro bottom cleaning guys in my area use small oil less compressors with no storage tanks.

Can you explain the bolded statement? Why would the compressor run continuous if the tank is maxed out?

Tankless would be even better from a storage space perspective. But why have I seen alot of diy units with tanks? What is the advantage? Less runtime / power draw? Cheaper cost?

[jcapo]

The 2 gallon should work. Here's pro bottom cleaners' opinion on volume and pressure.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...5763-2.html#28

[SKMT]

Originally Posted by jcapo

The 2 gallon should work. Here's pro bottom cleaners' opinion on volume and pressure.

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...5763-2.html#28

Thanks. Although elsewhere in the thread he mentions that a tank is completely unecessary. So 1 question answered, but a new one has arisen -- should I get a tankless compressor instead?

[markrsimon]

Did a fair amount of research and found this video useful. While it doesnt focus specifically on the compressor - the other bits are good - specially the industrial 0.3micron coalescing filter.
https://youtu.be/pfRuQTmxKLg?si=Dd1xMeP8zoP6iXNj

Back to the compressor - thinking of the Ryobi 18v unit. Panbo has a snippet where he used it without issue.

[SKMT]

I have no need for a battery powered unit in my application. And I always prefer AC power for this type of device since it's way easier/cheaper run an extension cord. Moreover, it seems to me if you need something for recreational diving, gas is still preferable over battery because gas is lighter than batteries.

[Spindrift NH]

Just putting it out there. I’ve been cleaning my boats bottom with an AirLine 12 volt hooka that connects to my house bank for about 7 years. It’s tankless but I’ve never had an issue with adequate air supply. It’s easily portable, recently used it on my friends ski boat to adjust floats for their course.