Thanks, this looks like the best option. Is there any smell in the air well diving? Also how many amps does it draw?I installed a Senco 1.5hp oil-less compressor (Amazon.com $170.00) in one of the aft cabin lockers. The hose is from Brownie's Third Lung and cost about the same as the compressor. It is stored on hooks above the compressor when not in use. The convenience of not having to get tanks refilled just to dive the bottom of my boat makes the cost well worthwhile. In additon to hose and compressor, you need a second-stage regulator (the mouthpiece one) and a weight belt.
+1I just use a long regulator hose. Lay the SCUBA tank on the rear deck, have about 15 feet of hose, and go under to do whatever has to be done.
If you make your own, the fitting between the hose and the pig-tail from the second stage regulator can be hard to find. We bought a couple at a commercial dive shop in San Diego. The threads are different. It is my understanding that it is a safety feature to prevent breathing air lines and standard compressor fittings from mating.
No, there is no smell whatsoever - just like breathing tank air. Any forum members with information/experience on what types of hose is safe/unsafe for breathing air, please chime in........... Is there any smell in the air when diving? Also how many amps does it draw?
Yes. As in my original post, you need a second-stage regulator (the low-pressure mouthpiece one). Workshop-type compressors and first-stage scuba regulators supply air at something like 120 - 130 psi.For the DIY systems, do you need to use a low pressure regular?
Quite right - I forgot. Alternatively, if you go the relatively expensive Brownie's route, you can purchase a special pigtail that solves this problem. That still leaves the matter of what happens at the compressor end. Many smallish compressors have a female Milton quick-connect and the Brownies other pigtail is threaded to connect with a high-pressure scuba regulator. I made a small brass adapter to bridge this gap. This is a link to the Brownies website. It (their website) leaves something to be desired, but I found them very helpful on the phone. Milton quick-connects are available in brass from Harbor Freight, Sears etc.If you make your own, the fitting between the hose and the pig-tail from the second stage regulator can be hard to find. We bought a couple at a commercial dive shop in San Diego. The threads are different. It is my understanding that it is a safety feature to prevent breathing air lines and standard compressor fittings from mating.
Thanks for the info!No, there is no smell whatsoever - just like breathing tank air. Any forum members with information/experience on what types of hose is safe/unsafe for breathing air, please chime in. The spec sheet says the current draw is 8 amps. My Kill-A-Watt reads 800 watts when the compressor is running. Yes. As in my original post, you need a second-stage regulator (the low-pressure mouthpiece one). Workshop-type compressors and first-stage scuba regulators supply air at something like 120 - 130 psi. Quite right - I forgot. Alternatively, if you go the relatively expensive Brownie's route, you can purchase a special pigtail that solves this problem. That still leaves the matter of what happens at the compressor end. Many smallish compressors have a female Milton quick-connect and the Brownies other pigtail is threaded to connect with a high-pressure scuba regulator. I made a small brass adapter to bridge this gap. This is a link to the Brownies website. It (their website) leaves something to be desired, but I found them very helpful on the phone. Milton quick-connects are available in brass from Harbor Freight, Sears etc.
...If you use a "cheapo" compressor...the recommendation from the pros is to bypass the steel tank as they tend to flake rust unless you put a decent filtering system in.
Our boat is set up for more serious diving, with an on-board 8 CFM breathing air compressor that is plumbed for mixing gas (Nitrox, Trimix), a custom fill station in the cockpit, tank racks in the Lazzerette and a sturdy ladder.
I find having the tanks filled and available makes it easier to recover fouled anchors or clear lines from another boat's running gear. Hooka rigs are very good for cleaning hulls, but I prefer the freedom of tanks and already had breathing air compressors and boosters.
Tank rack, folding bench and fill station:
Very nice setup! Also does your aft station come in handy when docking?Our boat is set up for more serious diving, with an on-board 8 CFM breathing air compressor that is plumbed for mixing gas (Nitrox, Trimix), a custom fill station in the cockpit, tank racks in the Lazzerette and a sturdy ladder. I find having the tanks filled and available makes it easier to recover fouled anchors or clear lines from another boat's running gear. Hooka rigs are very good for cleaning hulls, but I prefer the freedom of tanks and already had breathing air compressors and boosters. Tank rack, folding bench and fill station: