Cleaning Hull in the water

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by Fstbttms

Here are the two compressors I build my hookahs with:

Thomas 1020

Thomas 1207

Can't find the 1020 available anywhere. The 1207 is close to a grand, which probably defeats the purpose of building my own.

To have value for me, the hookah needs to be usable away from the dock. I can not dive in the marina.

I could run the genset to power these, but I would have to be that much more careful with exhaust. It should not be a big problem if clocked downwind on the hook or mooring.

Any 12v thoughts?

[MarkofSeaLife]

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[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

Can't find the 1020 available anywhere. The 1207 is close to a grand, which probably defeats the purpose of building my own.

To have value for me, the hookah needs to be usable away from the dock. I can not dive in the marina.

I could run the genset to power these, but I would have to be that much more careful with exhaust. It should not be a big problem if clocked downwind on the hook or mooring.

Any 12v thoughts?

The 1020 is only available new through a pretty limited dealer network. You'd have to contact Thomas to find the one closest to you. Plus, it retails at over $600, so that may be more than you were looking to spend as well. That being said, I haven't bought a new unit of either flavor new for years. craigslist and eBay are your friends. I bought a used, clean and working 1207 on craigslist a couple of months ago for about $80, including shipping.

A 12-volt hookah may serve your needs. They tend to be lightly built and have a comparatively short runtime, so are generally not suitable for use in the hull cleaning business. I have never used one, so can't really offer an informed opinion about any particular model.

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

I could run the genset to power these, but I would have to be that much more careful with exhaust. It should not be a big problem if clocked downwind on the hook or mooring.

Most commercially available gas-powered hookahs have a simple snorkle air intake that draws air from about 3' above the unit. Assuming you had your electric unit on deck, that would likely be more than high enough to be out of any exhaust you might make running your genset.

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by Fstbttms

A 12-volt hookah may serve your needs. They tend to be lightly built and have a comparatively short runtime, so are generally not suitable for use in the hull cleaning business. I have never used one, so can't really offer an informed opinion about any particular model.

For sure, 12v would be useless if you were in the water all day.

I'm thinking I need 60 to 90 mins of runtime.

Good advice on looking at ebay, etc. I may give it a shot.

I'm curious, what first stage pressure do you run the compressor at? I presume it just cycles on and off if you aren't drawing enough?

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Minnewaska

I'm curious, what first stage pressure do you run the compressor at? I presume it just cycles on and off if you aren't drawing enough?

Depending on how many hours are on the compressor, I'll run it at 75-100 psi. As the piston rings wear, it needs to be turned up, until I rebuild it. Also, when going deep (15'-30'), I'll always run it full blast. The compressor runs continuously while I'm in the water. Both model compressors have an overpressure valve that exhausts excess air pressure when I'm not drawing on it. You will find some commercially available hookahs with reserve tanks (and divers using cheapo hotdog-style air compressors) that will cycle on and off as the pressure in the tanks varies, but this kind of extra plumbing and weight is unecessary. My compressors run for many thousands of hours without maintenance and at the depths we're talking about, there is really no need for a reserve tank as your air hose will hold enough air for you to get back to the surface should the compressor shut down for some reason.

[Brent Swain]

I have cleaned my hull by dragging a cheap tarp under it ,letting the poly tarp float up against my hull, then pouring a gallon of bleach in it and leaving it overnight. Next day all growth fell off. Works for weeds but not barnacles.
At sea, one can pull a rope under your forefoot and saw it back and forth across the hull working your way back to the keel, then doing the same from the keel to the skeg. Doesn't get everything, but removes a lot, if the growth is thick and heavy.

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Brent Swain

I have cleaned my hull by dragging a cheap tarp under it ,letting the poly tarp float up against my hull, then pouring a gallon of bleach in it and leaving it overnight. Next day all growth fell off. Works for weeds but not barnacles.
At sea, one can pull a rope under your forefoot and saw it back and forth across the hull working your way back to the keel, then doing the same from the keel to the skeg. Doesn't get everything, but removes a lot, if the growth is thick and heavy.

Both somewhat effective methods if you don't care about the environment or your anti fouling paint.

[Brent Swain]

Millions of gallons of bleach get poured down drains by land lubbers all the time, with far less justification. Chlorine evaporates quickly.
By the time I have that heavy a growth, the antifouling is dead anyway.

[Fstbttms]

Originally Posted by Brent Swain

Millions of gallons of bleach get poured down drains by land lubbers all the time, with far less justification.

So that makes it OK for you to do it? Jeezus.