Replies

  • Stephen Casto November 6, 2013 at 12:17am

    Goldhog.com has a GREAT video about their homemade wetsuit heater. He covers just about all angles you need to consider when making one.

  • Ted Tupitza July 8, 2013 at 5:32pm

    I have. I made a baffle type water heater. The copper tubing type was too hard to make. I couldn't coil the tubing without it collapsing. So I took a 14 inch piece stainless steel tubing a cut slots in it to weld washers in a circular pattern. Cold water in and hot water out to a reservoir. At the top of the reservoir is a thumb screw pressure release valve. Hot water goes in at the side a third of the way down and exits to the suit at the bottom. ALSO input a third of the way down is a controlled amount of cold water to prevent water that is too hot. 

    The thumb screw at the top is just kept open a slight amount and if there is any steam it exits there. When you get to the suit, put surgical tubing at the end to put into the suit. It's more comfortable and flexible than hard rubber tubing. I think I have pictures on my page. If not, I will put them on. Just let me know.

  • Dave Rector February 13, 2012 at 3:15pm

    Found this link the other day, it looks like a real good design for a suit heater https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nhm2WsQ980U

    Here is the link to Triton

    http://www.campchef.com/triton-hot-water-heater.html

  • XT18000 January 18, 2012 at 1:00pm

     

       Heaters work but how well depends on how you make it, some people use a sepertate source for

      the heat ,while others wrap the exhaust on the engine with copper tubing to due the same thing.

       A lot depends on the size of your engine. It can be done with engines in the 5.5 and 6.5 hp. range

       but you won't get as much as say from a 9 or larger. I would rather go with a dry suit and a full

       face mask and gloves even though it's a lot more money.  If your really MACHO you can do like

       some due up in Alaska and build a big fire in a 55gal. drum and stick it out as long as they can

      with just a wet suit, and then warm up as needed at the fire.  You might get on one of the forums

      for that area and talk to some of the dredgers there and get some ideas.

    • Riverdigger > XT18000 February 1, 2012 at 8:24pm

      I have seen a unit at Wallyworld that is a camp shower that you attach to propane tank, water is supplied from a long tube running to the river.   I have often wondered if I could hook it up to feed into a wetsuit.  It was fairly small compact unit and would be nice to have in the 'ol truck when water is a bit on the chilly side.  I believe it was only about $99.00.  Humm.

       

  • John Green October 17, 2011 at 5:54pm

    Larry,

      Here is a link that might help

    www.goldgold.com/stories/​coldwaterdredging.htm

  • Terry P March 31, 2011 at 6:43pm
    I recall seeing a  thread on the topic somewhere.  As I recall one used a propane supply to operate a tankless water heater and got pressure from the accessory tap on the dredge pump.  The output of heated water was sent by a hose to the diver.  put a valve on the hose and stick it down your suit.
This reply was deleted.