hookah question

[Fibber McGee]

If you use an aquamaster DA in the hookah configuration, is the yoke retained dust cap and its o-ring sufficient to keep water from entering the high pressure side of the regulator? ...or is there a special metal cap and seal to cover this issue.

It would seem to me that with the IP stage pressurized via the hookah hose that the seat would be shut and no pressure would backfeed to keep water out of the inlet filter side of things. I am possibly interested in running a reg this way but do not want to damage it or create problems when I hook it up to a tank in the usual scuba configuration. (I also don't want to completely disassemble the unit to clear/clean/lube/adjust/etc. everytime it gets used on a hookah when it would not otherwise be necessary.)

I realize this is probably a real basic issue but I haven't seen anything written about it before.

thanks,

rh

[Bryan]

IMO you should be just fine with a snug/tight fitting cap on the 1st stage. I think that USD at one time made a plug/cap that did away with the yoke and 1st stage on the DA when used strictly as a hookah regulator. Allan makes a great harness for this setup....Good Question! Not a lot of coverage on hookah only setups. Thank you

[luis]

I don’t think water getting in is a real issue since some air pressure or more likely the full IP from your hookah air source will fill the HP chamber. The HP chamber is open to the IP chamber until the diaphragm is pushed by air pressure.

My biggest concern is if a plastic dust can take the IP pressure. A solid plastic one may, it probably would, but I am not sure. Many plastic dust caps are hollow and I surely would not trust does.
Actually the only dust cap I would really trust is one of the solid aluminum ones. They are not common, but they are can be found.

Good luck

[luis]

I made a drawing for a simple plug that replaces the first stage nozzle/ body and leave a very low profile (no yoke, etc.) in order to use the regulator as a hookah or chest mounted. But, it doesn’t sound that you are looking to replace the first stage ever time you want to use it as a hookah.

Let me know if you want me to post the drawing.

[Fibber McGee]

Thanks for the lightning quick replies!!

I suppose I could make a metal cap easily enough (a chunk of brass in the lathe should do it)

Luis, I like your plug idea...true, I do not wish to convert it over to hookah only on a semi-permanent basis as it were, but I like the idea...for my gold dredge rig I'd probably do it, though.

Another thought that occurs to me is to use a tiny tank (20? 30?, etc) as an emergency reserve...that would eliminate the concerns about water at the first stage inlet and would allow a reserve as well.

Good stuff to think about anyway.

thanks again and merry christmas!

rh

[Nemrod]

You could use the metal cap/plugs I think they made for that. I may have one.

Nem

[WD8CDH]

Hi RH,

If you are using a small tank for a reserve, I would suggest that you leave that tank valve off until you need it. If you left the tank valve open, you could lose surface air but not know it until your reserve tank was empty too (unless you hear the slight change in sound when the regulator is drawing from the tank).

[Fibber McGee]

Thanks WD8CDH, it also occurs to me that the tank-fed first stage may tend to put the IP chamber at a slightly higher pressure than the hookah line would (depends on compressor/etc.)...if this occurred then the second stage would wind up drawing air from the tank and not the hookah line...the hookah line wouldn't contribute until the tank was empty--the opposite of what you want to have happen.

[WD8CDH]

Yes, the HOOKAH supply pressure must be higher than the IP pressure if the tank is on for the first stage to not try to feed the second stage. And you may also need to increase the HOOKAH pressure as depth increases.

Of course, if the tank is on, then the HOOKAH may have to be so high that the second stage may free flow.

Keeping the reserve tank off until needed reduces both problems.