HPA Compressor Crossroads…?🙈

[karl_h]

When I got into PCPs 10 years ago you could buy used Bauers off of eBay for about $1500, sure wish I’d gotten one.

About the same time period for me. Those 1500 dollar used Bauers back then were not bargains, they were used/abused and needed rebuilding whether the ebay ads said that or not. I sent a lot of messages on ebay to those people with direct technical questions and never got one response, they didn't want to lie on ebay messaging and get caught selling a used compressor that should have been sold for parts. Smallest bauer jr if you had the skills would cost you that much + for the parts to make it right when you could have bought a used bauer jr in working serviceable condition for 2200+, I was always a day late when the rare ones like that showed up.

 

[steve-l]

About the same time period for me. Those 1500 dollar used Bauers back then were not bargains, they were used/abused and needed rebuilding whether the ebay ads said that or not. I sent a lot of messages on ebay to those people with direct technical questions and never got one response, they didn't want to lie on ebay messaging and get caught selling a used compressor that should have been sold for parts. Smallest bauer jr if you had the skills would cost you that much + for the parts to make it right when you could have bought a used bauer jr in working serviceable condition for 2200+, I was always a day late when the rare ones like that showed up.

Karl you could not know that without physically inspecting every one of those compressors. Yes, good parts are expensive, but the end unit will always be the quality unit you want and still at an affordable price. I'll give another personal experience. I was given a commercial diving Bauer compressor for free by a diving club that had seized up. They just bought a new one. What had happened was that the compressor was hooked to a cascade system of 6 40 liter steel bottles all ganged together and it had been inadvertently left running over the weekend without anybody watching. When I got it home I found the last stage piston had been overheated and it had seized up in the cylinder and the motor drew excessive current and had popped the circuit breaker. I took the final stage apart, polished the piston and did a light hone of the cylinder. No parts used and the problem solved. I sold the now running unit at auction for 1200 Euro because I already had one. Please believe me, these deals are always out there and unlike Chinese units, parts are always available.

 

[Ezana4CE]

Decision made… I have a Daystate 4500 PSI Compressor 110V Super Leggero on the way… Now how to sneak it past the wife…

@L.Leon Has it arrived yet?

 

[karl_h]

Karl you could not know that without physically inspecting every one of those compressors. Yes, good parts are expensive, but the end unit will always be the quality unit you want and still at an affordable price. I'll give another personal experience. I was given a commercial diving Bauer compressor for free by a diving club that had seized up. They just bought a new one. What had happened was that the compressor was hooked to a cascade system of 6 40 liter steel bottles all ganged together and it had been inadvertently left running over the weekend without anybody watching. When I got it home I found the last stage piston had been overheated and it had seized up in the cylinder and the motor drew excessive current and had popped the circuit breaker. I took the final stage apart, polished the piston and did a light hone of the cylinder. No parts used and the problem solved. I sold the now running unit at auction for 1200 Euro because I already had one. Please believe me, these deals are always out there and unlike Chinese units, parts are always available.

Yes you can, with 99% certainty. If you can't, well...... Parts are available and expensive, your description of that compressor you "fixed" and sold, I would not touch it for more than the cost of a good one minus all parts that may be needed to fix it correctly. In my opinion, you did a bandaid fix, I would not touch the one you "fixed" unless cheap enough to buy a ton of replacement parts. Sorry if that rubs you the wrong way, it is what it is.

 

[L.Leon]

@L.Leon Has it arrived yet?

Scheduled for Tuesday delivery… very much looking forward to its arrival. I have two SCBAs that have never been fill by me above 4000 psi. They will be receiving full 4500 psi fills going forward. Thank you for your guidance and comments which helped with my decision. Just came back from busting birds at one of my permissions… No longer going to be shy about using lots of HPA…

 

[tommyb]

Decision made… I have a Daystate 4500 PSI Compressor 110V Super Leggero on the way… Now how to sneak it past the wife…

Leon

Wish you the best of luck with the new Legerro! Thanks for answering my PM’s.

I am watching the U.S. Golf Open now and still researching, what else, Compressors. I am looking pretty hard at three choices. The GX-CS4-I, Omega Air Charger ( not discontinued) or the Legerro. The AoA videos are very helpful. So , are the AGN reviews and owner experiences.

The GX CS4-I is best for my wallet, but I am not comfortable fixing it if it breaks. I know it has a great reputation but I don’t want ‘any’ part of repairing a compressor. The Omega Air Charger looks to be solid with AoA and Todd’s support. The Legerro would be my #1 choice if I could swing it, again with AoA phone and email support. Both look like there is less maintenance required And my comfort level goes way up with these two.

I had to laugh when you said, ‘now how to sneak it past the wife.’
Happy Father’s Day.

 

[JackHughs]

Leon

Wish you the best of luck with the new Legerro! Thanks for answering my PM’s.

I am watching the U.S. Golf Open now and still researching, what else, Compressors. I am looking pretty hard at three choices. The GX-CS4-I, Omega Air Charger ( not discontinued) or the Legerro. The AoA videos are very helpful. So , are the AGN reviews and owner experiences.

The GX CS4-I is best for my wallet, but I am not comfortable fixing it if it breaks. I know it has a great reputation but I don’t want ‘any’ part of repairing a compressor. The Omega Air Charger looks to be solid with AoA and Todd’s support. The Legerro would be my #1 choice if I could swing it, again with AoA phone and email support. Both look like there is less maintenance required And my comfort level goes way up with these two.

I had to laugh when you said, ‘now how to sneak it past the wife.’
Happy Father’s Day.

If you should decide on a GX CS4-i, I suggest that you first consider the CS4. The CS4 has an external power supply which will not be subject to the heat and vibration imposed on an in-the-case power supply. If the power supply should fail, you don't have to open the case to replace it. And, the CS4 is much less costly than the CS4-i. With the savings, you could purchase an Amazon three year warranty and still have money left over.

JackHughs

 

[steve-l]

Yes you can, with 99% certainty. If you can't, well...... Parts are available and expensive, your description of that compressor you "fixed" and sold, I would not touch it for more than the cost of a good one minus all parts that may be needed to fix it correctly. In my opinion, you did a bandaid fix, I would not touch the one you "fixed" unless cheap enough to buy a ton of replacement parts. Sorry if that rubs you the wrong way, it is what it is.

Karl, that compressor is still running fine today and it runs every day and has now for 10 years. You are certainly welcome to your opinion. It is your loss not mine.

 

[tommyb]

If you should decide on a GX CS4-i, I suggest that you first consider the CS4. The CS4 has an external power supply which will not be subject to the heat and vibration imposed on an in-the-case power supply. If the power supply should fail, you don't have to open the case to replace it. And, the CS4 is much less costly than the CS4-i. With the savings, you could purchase an Amazon three year warranty and still have money left over.

JackHughs

Thanks Jack.

Have been reading ‘all’ of your responses to various compressor posts.

Q. Do you know how easy/hard it is to replace a new power supply, should I go with the CS4-I? I like The convenience of having it internal. Not worrying about heat, because the unit is water cooled and I will baby the fills.

Not worried about the extra cost.

 

[JackHughs]

Thanks Jack.

Have been reading ‘all’ of your responses to various compressor posts.

Q. Do you know how easy/hard it is to replace a new power supply, should I go with the CS4-I? I like The convenience of having it internal. Not worrying about heat, because the unit is water cooled and I will baby the fills.

Not worried about the extra cost.

Replacing the internal power supply and/or the circuit board on a CS4-i is not particularly difficult. My friend had to replace both on his new CS4-i and I didn't hear any serious complaints. The CS4-i compressor is water cooled but the internal parts such as the power supply and the circuit board are not. I don't imagine that it gets severely hot within the case but when it comes to electronics less heat and less vibration is good and no heat and no vibration is better.

If you like the convenience of an internal power supply, I say go for the CS4-i. My CS4-i was perfect out of the box and remains so today - no complaints.

JackHughs