Dredge heater

[mazzy74]

No one know where I can get an affordable water heater? Or have plans they can post?

 

[okbasspro]

What engine are you running I have plans for a old school briggs may be able to adapt for honda dont know.

Here are some links for you
http://www.goldgold.com/cold-water-dredging.html
http://www.iowagold.com/how_to_build_wet_suit_heater.htm

Pay Very close attention to warnings a wetsuit full of steam will ruin your day.
Here are some pics of mine I run a tee off the pump then to the heater.Mine is a commercial heater with thermostat and mixing tank with steam relief.It works great I have seen them on Ebay from $100.00 to $800.00 mine was on dredge when I bought it.The phone number on the heater is 209-966-2068. I have never seen any info online on them.Some of the guys from Cali might have more info for you.

 

[kuger]

....as said......a kinked hose and scalding hot water shot down yer shorts will make ya attempt to crawl out yer skin!!!The last time it happed to me,my heater got sold

 

[Gravel Hog]

....as said......a kinked hose and scalding hot water shot down yer shorts will make ya attempt to crawl out yer skin!!!The last time it happed to me,my heater got sold

Ouch Yep! - Or when the pump shuts down and you don't reallize it.

Need one this time a year, up on the mountain claims.
That excludes some of us, like Bill, he can probably dredge in his shorts.

 

[Hoser John]

Scalding is what the mixing tank prevents. By utilizing at least a 1/2 gallon to 2 gallon mixer tank it takes quite a bit of time to heat up that volume of water so old school setup scalding is prevented. With newer wetsuits made with closed foam technology I never even have had to use my heater in the last 6 years as plenty warm already. You must wear a few extra pounds of lead but that's great to me as eliminating the extra line attached to my regulator is definately more preferable and KISS is always best-- John

 

[okbasspro]

Even with a mixing tank I have no kink pvc airhose I use for the water and if the water starts getting hot I pull the line out of suit and look for the problem.

 

[mazzy74]

Dammit I need me a heater. I just found me a lead on some pa gold

 

[W4MRK]

I got my heater Don & Dee Stapp of Stapp mining. It came with no kink hose and a mixing chamber. I have the tubing sewn to my hooded vest so it is between my hooded vest and wetsuit so if it ever spews scalding water, my skin is protected. I rarely use the heater, and agree with John, if you have the right suit, you can save the money on the heater.

 

[mazzy74]

I have a 7mm wetsuit I got for an amazing deal ($200) and its warm as all hell but I wore it diving in 50 degree temps and I was still getting cold. Not unpleasantly cold but cold enough to know I need a heater if I want to go diving in the winter

 

[kuger]

I have a 7mm wetsuit I got for an amazing deal ($200) and its warm as all hell but I wore it diving in 50 degree temps and I was still getting cold. Not unpleasantly cold but cold enough to know I need a heater if I want to go diving in the winter

I wear a 5 Mil,under a 8 Mil.

 

[mazzy74]

Wow. And how is the constriction

 

[dave wiseman]

Yeah Mr.Kuger,it don't take long to start shaking...even on the hottest days.

 

[W4MRK]

Is your 7mm a one piece or 2 piece? The 2 piece gives a double layer of protection around your core area and makes a huge difference. Add a hooded vest to the equation and you have 3 layers of protection. A semi-dry suit is even better, but you have to have one one that fits properly for it to work.

 

[mazzy74]

One piece with a hood

 

[kuger]

Wow. And how is the constriction

None........as said I wear 60 lbs of lead


Yea,Dave no kidding!!!!Especially when your down 20 + ft.!

 

[okbasspro]

I use a 2 pc 7mil Farmer John with a seperate hood.That puts 14mil over my core.I wear 45ibs of lead.The heater pushes water into my gloves boots and hood.Only go 5-6 ft down.

 

[Hoser John]

To facilitate water distribution within your suit simple use a t from irrigation hose-the inlet to the top--add 6" of auto emmision hose to the arms of the t to feed your arms and about a foot to the bottom of the t to feed the legs. You look like the pillsbury doughboy when ya gey outta the water--but when it's all nice and warm water it rocks-- John

 

[kuger]

To facilitate water distribution within your suit simple use a t from irrigation hose-the inlet to the top--add 6" of auto emmision hose to the arms of the t to feed your arms and about a foot to the bottom of the t to feed the legs. You look like the pillsbury doughboy when ya gey outta the water--but when it's all nice and warm water it rocks-- John

This is what I did,and had the T on my back with my air hose,and a main valve on my chest so I could shut it down.Never had much issue with tangle.OK,there has only been a couple times,I have had to go 20',they were in the huge cavernous limestone crevices we often encounter here

 

[mazzy74]

Any pictures of what the setup looks like?

 

[kuger]

as mentioned above Stapp used to sell the kits
Stapp Mining & Recreational Supplies in San Bernardino, California. (ca.) #6993963

There is not a whole lot to em,to build one,its just sometimes easier to buy