New Zealand Gold Prospecting & Metal Detecting Forums Archive

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fudnz		Posted : Thursday, 21 April 2011 4:27:25 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 11/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Naseby Thanks: 1 times		I have been asked by a new member 'Goldilocks' if i know where to buy a heat exchanger - I am at a loss but did have one made a while back by a Cromwell company - Mark S. might remember their name. But if anyone can help Jordan (Goldilocks) in this it would be appreciated. Cheers - Allan.
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kiwijw		Posted : Thursday, 21 April 2011 6:05:56 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		. Edited by user Saturday, 9 July 2011 1:54:40 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

kiwijw		Posted : Thursday, 21 April 2011 6:14:11 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		. Edited by user Saturday, 9 July 2011 1:54:56 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

fudnz		Posted : Friday, 22 April 2011 8:35:45 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 11/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Naseby Thanks: 1 times		I have sent him a few pics of mine and a bit of how to make it :-) Edited by user Friday, 22 April 2011 8:43:33 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified fudnz attached the following image(s):
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fudnz		Posted : Friday, 22 April 2011 8:45:16 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 11/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Naseby Thanks: 1 times		And one of the others made by Cromwell Engineering fudnz attached the following image(s):
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nzgold		Posted : Saturday, 23 April 2011 11:06:36 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 5/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 97 Location: New Zealand Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 20 time(s) in 19 post(s)		Hi fudnz, looks like you have a good Hot water system sussed out. Do you get any problems with leaves blocking it up? I find that my filter gets clogged with leaves quite a lot (There are trees upstream and along banks of where I have the dredge) and it's a real pain. The water flow slows right down and then the water in the exchanger sits there and turns to steam. Any ideas on how to fix this or is it just part of life in rivers that have dratted trees on them? Thanks :)

KraziKiwi		Posted : Wednesday, 27 April 2011 3:42:44 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Flake Groups: Registered Joined: 14/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 29 Location: Blenheim Was thanked: 20 time(s) in 10 post(s)		Hi I am a stainlesss fabricator and would be keen on some detailed plans in exchange on a deal for me making a few of them.Can this one do 2 divers??
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gingerbreadman		Posted : Wednesday, 27 April 2011 4:14:15 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 19/07/2010(UTC) Posts: 473 Location: south of the black stump Thanks: 34 times Was thanked: 96 time(s) in 74 post(s)		KraziKiwi wrote: Hi I am a stainlesss fabricator and would be keen on some detailed plans in exchange on a deal for me making a few of them.Can this one do 2 divers?? id dought they would have enuf heat for to divers a 6.5 motor only just give,s enuf heat for 1 diver as you can see in the pic the exchanger,s are joind via the hose,s to give twice the hot water supply.

starflash		Posted : Wednesday, 27 April 2011 4:24:16 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		hi guys i have never run big dredges under water for long periods so probably way off the mark, but wouldnt a 9mm commercial two piece open cell suit keep you warm enough. i have one and have been paua diving in frigid waters for 7 hours, they are almost completely isothermal, but i guess thats cause its a physical activity. i guess when your lying on the bottom sucking in frigid streams there may not be any physical heat being made. have you guys had experience with them for this operation? what you think starflash

gingerbreadman		Posted : Wednesday, 27 April 2011 5:22:48 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 19/07/2010(UTC) Posts: 473 Location: south of the black stump Thanks: 34 times Was thanked: 96 time(s) in 74 post(s)		I use 7mm 2 piece suits even after a couple of hours you really start to feel the cold like you say proably from not moveing around that much i usually go for shallow spots this time of the year were your not fully submerged. i dont no about open cell or isothermal..! whats the go with open cell its it supposed to be warmer than a standard suit..?

starflash		Posted : Wednesday, 27 April 2011 5:41:15 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		hi gb most suits are lined on the inside that does not seal to the skin, so allow water to flush through taking the heat away. An open cell suit is open cell neoprene against the skin, not smooth skin rubber but a open bubble type neoprene. it semi seals against the skin, with minimum water moving across the skin. you could say its a semi dry suit. you have to put it on wet on with talc or with a diluted shampoo water mix. i have been spearin all day and suds are still present when i take it off at the end of the day. used by us spearfisherman due to long times in the water. check out www.wildblue.co.nz where i get my suits from. isothermal means body temp remains constant ie no heat loss. i have sniped all day in winter with a 9mm but sniping is more physically active than dredging i think so creates a bit of extra warmth. if anyone with a claim ad a big dredge wants a free hand for a day, let me know, im keen to learn the process. i do notice the us dredgers use heated suits so maybe im way off the mark, or maybe they havent come across open cell suits Edited by user Wednesday, 27 April 2011 5:43:15 PM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

gingerbreadman		Posted : Wednesday, 27 April 2011 6:24:00 PM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 19/07/2010(UTC) Posts: 473 Location: south of the black stump Thanks: 34 times Was thanked: 96 time(s) in 74 post(s)		Hi SF i see i wondered that at the moment iv been useing a prodive and i definatly notice the water moveing through the suit a lot more than say the moray,s pity they dont make them anymore iv seen those 1,s your suposed to use soap but thats put me off they looked to sticky to me!

kiwijw		Posted : Thursday, 28 April 2011 1:35:28 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 28/03/2010(UTC) Posts: 1,152 Thanks: 92 times Was thanked: 658 time(s) in 324 post(s)		. Edited by user Saturday, 9 July 2011 1:55:19 AM(UTC) \| Reason: Not specified

starflash		Posted : Thursday, 28 April 2011 3:49:38 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		hi jw, that is true, the coldest salt water ive been all day would be about 8 deg. I have been in the water in the snow line in queenstown all day. But you are right the whole body is not submerged all day. and i think that would make a big difference. interesting to see if any of the dredgers on the forum have used this type of suit. mind you the thought of having heated water pumped through your suits does sound inviting! cheers starflash

starflash		Posted : Thursday, 28 April 2011 3:53:05 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Ingot Groups: Registered Joined: 16/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 192 Location: auckland, tairua Thanks: 18 times Was thanked: 38 time(s) in 30 post(s)		hi gb u can use talc powder. the soap mix is very diluted and with experience u can get it just right. it does pay to take warm water to flush the soap through before you get in if you have nancy boy skin. but im sure your as tough as nails

Eagle		Posted : Thursday, 28 April 2011 4:15:22 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 3/03/2011(UTC) Posts: 71 Location: Central Otago Thanks: 3 times Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 12 post(s)		Hi Fellas I also use an open cell suit for my sniping,& as Starflash said its all about getting the soap mix right.I personally use hair conditioner. I can do a 4-5 hour session in the middlle of winter,its usually my hands & feet that send me packing. Eagle

nzgold		Posted : Thursday, 28 April 2011 9:17:53 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Nugget Groups: Registered Joined: 5/08/2010(UTC) Posts: 97 Location: New Zealand Thanks: 23 times Was thanked: 20 time(s) in 19 post(s)		I find it not too bad when you're on the bottom with air compressor and working hard, the water in your suit warms up, but as soon as you go to the top to clear a blockage, check the box, refuel etc. etc, all of the warm water drains out, and then when you hop back in and you get the cold water seeping in again down your neck and back...... ugggggggghhhhhh Not very nice. Cheers

fudnz		Posted : Tuesday, 3 May 2011 4:42:11 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 11/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Naseby Thanks: 1 times		nzgold wrote: Hi fudnz, looks like you have a good Hot water system sussed out. Do you get any problems with leaves blocking it up? I find that my filter gets clogged with leaves quite a lot (There are trees upstream and along banks of where I have the dredge) and it's a real pain. The water flow slows right down and then the water in the exchanger sits there and turns to steam. Any ideas on how to fix this or is it just part of life in rivers that have dratted trees on them? Thanks :) Hi nz - Nooooo not a lot of probs with leaves - sometimes if I am working in my own water - IE have a dam behind to stop the water escaping because of low flow I will get silt into the filter and this tends to slow the flow and make things a bit warm.. :0)- It happened one time that I was not using the hose and started to feel a bit cool so I grabbed the water hose and did not quite get it connected when I realised the water off it on to my hands was bloody hot - too late - a burst of it shot through the hose and got me around my dick area.... ooooooooooo - I can tell you the bloody suit came off in a hurry with no thoughts of the cold water or those that happened to be standing on the bank looking at this strange thrashing/flashing figure... The outcome was I am more experienced now and more cautious.... plus I have a lot of new skin around the nether regions :-). I can make tea or coffee off mine if I slow the flow enough... it is handy when u have used all of the thermos hot water. Cheers Allan... I am away to Oz for a couple of weeks - back again Sept; 4th.... I am hoping ChCh stays quiet on this day as same date last year.....
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fudnz		Posted : Tuesday, 3 May 2011 4:45:42 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 11/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Naseby Thanks: 1 times		nzgold wrote: I find it not too bad when you're on the bottom with air compressor and working hard, the water in your suit warms up, but as soon as you go to the top to clear a blockage, check the box, refuel etc. etc, all of the warm water drains out, and then when you hop back in and you get the cold water seeping in again down your neck and back...... ugggggggghhhhhh Not very nice. Cheers The amount of water that my units put out stalls any water trying to make its way into the suit after fuelling... I used to have a permanent hose into my suit but after getting singed i now just use a lose hose and stuff it down my neck if I need it... Cheers Allan D.
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fudnz		Posted : Tuesday, 3 May 2011 4:49:47 AM(UTC)
Rank: Gold Dust Groups: Registered Joined: 11/12/2010(UTC) Posts: 1 Location: Naseby Thanks: 1 times		KraziKiwi wrote: Hi I am a stainlesss fabricator and would be keen on some detailed plans in exchange on a deal for me making a few of them.Can this one do 2 divers?? I have two of them set up in line one prewarms the water and the other tops it up to a usable heat - they are a good unit and quiet as the exhaust gases after going through the unit then make their way out the muffler.... a lot of water heaters jus exhaust to the air and are fooking noisy. I am away to Oz - back in Sept; - maybe we can have a yap on the phone then - Cheers Allan.
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