Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

MANY Thanks to Richard Kinch and Bryan Combs for some great replies, it
was clear that they understood I am only going down 6 to 8 feet and
just need a little compressor, similar to those used for small paint
sprayers. I will also have 30A dock service to plug into.

This was my first post and participation and, while I love a little
humor as much as the next guy (see my book The Baja Bash), it was a
little hard finding the worthwhile posts while sifting through others
from people who clearly feel a need to reply to anything and
everything, under the assumption that they know all and should
therefore pass on their pearls of wisdom.

Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

So I got the regulators and hoses from this outfit.

http://www.akmining.com/diving.htm

Really the hoses could be any compressor hose from Home Depot but it
was nice to have all the fitting match.

I got a small 12volts compressor that I run off the battery. I may
need to get a bigger one though because It can't quite keep up with
me.

They make these little compressors for trucks tires that run of the
battery. If you only going to use it in a marina, then 110v is great.

I would use an oil less model though. Why take a chance.

Been cleaning the bottom no problems. Even had to use it to dive down
30 feet to retrieve a pot that I dropped overboard.

Jeannette AA6JH
Bristol32
S/V 'Con Te Partiro'
http://www.eblw.com/contepartiro/contepartiro.html

On 20 Apr 2006 12:29:35 -0700, "BajaJim" wrote:

Am wondering if anyone has set up a small air compressor rig, 110V,
similar to the ones used by divers for hull cleaning services. I assume
just a small oil-less compressor and couple it directly to a stock dive
regulator? I only need it dockside in a marina with 30A seervice.

THANKS for any input

Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

Hello:

Okay, I appologize for that my sarcastic remarks earlier. However,
after a long run I am much more relaxed.

For the "I wanat to go diving" folks who were asking for air supply
advice.

But for real try this........................

Oregon State University DIve Ops guy, Jim Washburn used an old USN hand
operated diver air supply pump to guide a new lilght weight v3resion
for shallow water applications.

I am not talking about the big two person pump designed put a Mark V
down, rather somthing much smaller.

The shallow water pump weighs about 25 pounds and is pumped by one
person. The diver uses a "special" low preasure demand stage for the
regulator.

The pump is prettey cool. Stone age technology. Maybe four moving
parts. And the beauty is that only one person is needed topside to work
the pump.

Where do you get one??

Jim was cosidering manufaturing and sell the pumps. But because of
libility issues decided to shelve the idea.

However.......... if you are interested call Oregon State University
and ask for Jim Washburn, College of Oceaneering. I have a set of plans
but Jim is there to do just that. Help the tax payers benfit from tax
paid research projects.

Two bighest problems with this set up:
1) limited to about 20' depth
2) need a person topside to operate the manual hand pump.

The advatges:
1) No fuel,oil,noise
2) Stone age relibility, simplicity, light, CHEEP

Helpful Bob.

Air compressor for hull cleaning: MMC, this one is yours.
 

Actually I stole the idea from Andina who used to be my "dockmate" at CBYC
about 100 years ago.
How are you and Lea? Sure was good seeing you last month.
MMC

"Andina Marie" wrote in message
oups.com...
I've been using a system like this for 14 years - an invaluable tool.
Here are the details:
http://www.yandina.com/hints.htm#Compressor

Air compressor for hull cleaning: MMC, this one is yours.
 

Mud divers get shot at too! Be careful out there!
MMC (EOD/DV/PJ- usetobe)

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On 20 Apr 2006 20:45:09 -0700, "Bob" said:

som mud duck hoping to breakout

Hardly. Just hoping to do my duty to country (sort of an old-fashioned
idea)
without getting shot at.

Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

Dave writes:

Your post made me wonder whether somebody doesn't make a civilian
version of what we used to call a "Jack Brown" rig--mask that covers
both nose and mouth, and with a continuous feed of air through the
mask from a surface compressor.

There are scuba full-facemask regulators, but they cost multiples of the
conventional type.

Air compressor for hull cleaning: MMC, this one is yours.
 

Dave:

As my Polish grandmother Magda always said, If you can not say anything
good about a person Its best to not say anything.

Its nice to know you got some dolphins Dave.

Dobra Notes
Bed Time BOb

Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

BajaJim wrote:
MANY Thanks to Richard Kinch and Bryan Combs for some great replies, it
was clear that they understood I am only going down 6 to 8 feet and
just need a little compressor, similar to those used for small paint
sprayers. I will also have 30A dock service to plug into.

This was my first post and participation and, while I love a little
humor as much as the next guy (see my book The Baja Bash), it was a
little hard finding the worthwhile posts while sifting through others
from people who clearly feel a need to reply to anything and
everything, under the assumption that they know all and should
therefore pass on their pearls of wisdom.


Jim,

I believe that the warnings you received about "oil" based compressors
are based on the concern that you might be exposing yourself to what are
admittedly small amounts of toxins but over long periods of time, all
while working underwater - an environment where one would like to avoid
encountering breathing issues.

To compound this further you will be most likely be exerting yourself
enough to raise your respiration rate which would increase any toxin
absorption rate. Also, because of the "partial pressures" of breathing
gases in increased atmospheres, the percentage of toxin absorbed by your
body goes up dramatically as you go deeper.

If you can avoid using an oil based compressor I would strongly suggest
doing so, especially since inexpensive alternatives exist.

Cheers,

Robb

Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

On 20 Apr 2006 12:29:35 -0700, "BajaJim" wrote:

Am wondering if anyone has set up a small air compressor rig, 110V,
similar to the ones used by divers for hull cleaning services. I assume
just a small oil-less compressor and couple it directly to a stock dive
regulator? I only need it dockside in a marina with 30A seervice.


I've been using a diaphram type compressor for about 28 years. I think
they call them "pancake" compressors now. Totally oilless, using a
rubber diaphram. About 30 PSI max. It came with a 117 VAC motor, belt
driven. I replaced the motor with a 12 VDC wheel chair motor for
live-aboard use (take off the gear box and fit a pulley).

Get an "old" regulator. Take off the 1st stage and disable the 2nd
stage so you get free-flow. I bought some fittings/adapters so I use
regular water hose as an air hose.

If one wants to go this route, and have it run at 12 volts, a good
"motor" to drive it is an original VW bug GENERATOR. Not an
alternator. Connect the F (Field) terminal to the B (Battery)
terminal. This is the +. The - goes to the case or ground terminal.
This will draw about the same current as the wheel chair motor, about
10A, and give plenty of power.

Rick


------------------------------------------------
Absolute safety is a concept promoted by those
without the guts to live in the real world.
------------------------------------------------

Air compressor for hull cleaning
 

Rick Morel wrote:
On 20 Apr 2006 12:29:35 -0700, "BajaJim" wrote:

------------------------------------------------
Absolute safety is a concept promoted by those
without the guts to live in the real world.
------------------------------------------------


I think Absolute safety is a great goal. Most times not relaistic
but.......
Personnaly, I follow this:

"Its the second mouse that gets the cheese."

Observe.............anticipate.................... improve and
innovate.
Relationships with friends and coworkers tend to be longer this way

Bob