Hookamax

[drewcathell]

My wife and I are considering buying an electric shallow dive compressor like the hookamax or brownie. Anyone using these or others and care to provide some counsel? Are they worth it? Is one brand better than another.? I did a search thinking this must have been discussed before but didn't find any threads. If I missed something obvious please let me know.

[Kenomac]

We’ve owned and used a Hookamax for 4 years, the compressor is Junk with a capital “J.” directly from Harbor freight and will rust up within a week or two. The rest of the system including the hose and regulator are fine. The Brownie stuff looks like a step up from HookaMax.

Just purchase the hose, regulators and attachments from either company, then purchase a Porter Cable pancake type oil free compressor from the Home Depot for $90. Or for a step up, purchase an industrial quality compressor for around $600. We have all three options.

Either way, take some quality scuba lessons before using Hookah so you don’t kill yourself.... it’s actually quite easy to do. Most scuba related deaths take place in shallow waters.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

We’ve owned and used a Hookamax for 4 years, the compressor is Crap with a capital “C,” directly from Harbor freight and will rust up within a week or two. The rest of the system including the hose and regulator are fine. The Brownie stuff looks like a step up from HookaMax.

Just purchase the hose, regulators and attachments from either company, then purchase a Porter Cable pancake type oil free compressor from the Home Depot for $90. Or for a step up, purchase an industrial quality compressor for around $600. We have all three options.

Either way, take some quality scuba lessons before using Hookah so you don’t kill yourself.... it’s actually quite easy to do. Most scuba related deaths take place in shallow waters.

Spot on advice. I assembled my own using a 12 volt compressor, if I did it again I would go down the portable quality oil less compressor and an appropriate inverter. I second the need for decent scuba training.

[fstbttms]

Speaking as someone who has earned his living with hookahs for several decades, I recommend you either DIY or go with the Air Line by J Sink, Brownie's or Nardi. None of these commercially available units are particularly cheap, but they are high quality. Hookamax, Gator Gill and other cheapo hookahs are based on POS Chinese-built air compressors and are (as Kenomac mentioned), inferior.

You can assemble your own hookah that will be essentially identical to the best commercially available units and every bit as safe to use and durable, but for a fraction of the cost. Search the forum, there have been many threads about this.

[Bill O]

We assembled our own hooka rig using a Porter Cable pan cake oil free compressor. Mostly use it to clean the bottom and prop. One addition to the set up that made a big difference was a water/oil/particulate separator similar to this one. While you wouldn't expect to need it w/an oil free compressor, it made a big difference in the quality of the air.
Have been a certified SCUBA diver for a very long time (does anyone remember dual hose regulators??) and also think it would be a good idea to fully understand/learn the concepts of SCUBA before using a hooka rig.


Bill O.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Bill O

We assembled our own hooka rig using a Porter Cable pan cake oil free compressor. Mostly use it to clean the bottom and prop. One addition to the set up that made a big difference was a water/oil/particulate separator. While you wouldn't expect to need it w/an oil free compressor, it made a big difference in the quality of the air.

High quality compressors like those from Thomas or Gast do not require volume tanks and therefore also do not require water separators. They run quite happily for hours on end, providing clean, fresh air. This is why these are the compressors used in the best hookahs, like Air Line or Brownie's.

[chris in SG]

I've used a Brownie's low pressure system for a few years and I can recommend it.

I'm not a diver because I have sinus issues (consistently over many years) as soon as I venture down below keel level, so it seemed pointless investing in PADI training. Brownie's, and no doubt other equipment suppliers, provide a waistband to clip on the airline and to add weights. I NEVER use this because it would be unsafe for me. I simply hold the airline by the mouthpiece so I am free to surface immediately if the compressor cuts out. This occasionally happens if it overheats. Obviously this means I am constantly fighting my own buoyancy and if I was using bottled air it would not last long - but that's the benefit of having an unlimited air supply..

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by chris in SG

Brownie's, and no doubt other equipment suppliers, provide a waistband to clip on the airline and to add weights. I NEVER use this because it would be unsafe for me. I simply hold the airline by the mouthpiece so I am free to surface immediately if the compressor cuts out.

Why would you not be free to ascend immediately if you were wearing weights?

[chris in SG]

Originally Posted by fstbttms

Why would you not be free to ascend immediately if you were wearing weights?

I guess you are thinking as a diver thinks, with full confidence that you can avoid panic and swim up, without air, and without buoyancy. As a non-diver, I don't have that confidence.

[fstbttms]

Originally Posted by chris in SG

I guess you are thinking as a diver thinks, with full confidence that you can avoid panic and swim up, without air, and without buoyancy. As a non-diver, I don't have that confidence.

No offense, but if you can't do that, you probably shouldn't be underwater breathing compressed air.

[Uncle Bob]

Originally Posted by chris in SG

I guess you are thinking as a diver thinks, with full confidence that you can avoid panic and swim up, without air, and without buoyancy. As a non-diver, I don't have that confidence.

Chris, with all due respect, do yourself a real favour and get at least some basic diver training, it will make you feel more comfortable in the water and, who knows may one day save your life.

[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by chris in SG

I've used a Brownie's low pressure system for a few years and I can recommend it.

I'm not a diver because I have sinus issues (consistently over many years) as soon as I venture down below keel level, so it seemed pointless investing in PADI training. Brownie's, and no doubt other equipment suppliers, provide a waistband to clip on the airline and to add weights. I NEVER use this because it would be unsafe for me. I simply hold the airline by the mouthpiece so I am free to surface immediately if the compressor cuts out. This occasionally happens if it overheats. Obviously this means I am constantly fighting my own buoyancy and if I was using bottled air it would not last long - but that's the benefit of having an unlimited air supply..

From what you wrote, you desperately NEED some PADI training asap before you blow a lung from doing what you’re doing.

You’re lucky you haven’t already died.

[Bill O]

Chris,
Are you saying the Brownie's compressor overheats and shuts down?

[chris in SG]

Originally Posted by Kenomac

From what you wrote, you desperately NEED some PADI training asap before you blow a lung from doing what you’re doing.

You’re lucky you haven’t already died.

Ok, I should have been clearer. I use this equipment only for cleaning the bottom of a catamaran at depths not exceeding 1.5m.

[chris in SG]

Originally Posted by Uncle Bob

Chris, with all due respect, do yourself a real favour and get at least some basic diver training, it will make you feel more comfortable in the water and, who knows may one day save your life.

Thanks for the good advice and I will consider again. This is my routine for hull cleaning but I was wrong to appear to advise others to follow my example. Apologies for that.

Ironic that I sail within a few miles of Malapascua in the Philippines. Was there last week with some guests who did their PADI open water. Will be back there later this month, so I really have no excuse..