Alkin finally nestled in its permanent home

Got the Hatsan Lightning sold off today. It went to a great owner, one I know will just enjoy it. In all honesty, I hated to see it go, as I have my writing all over that thing, from the care I gave it to getting it newly rebuilt with fresh seals, piston rings, fluids, filters, and misc parts. But, like I said, it’s in good hands and will perform hours more of tank top offs.



so onto my pcp cart went the Alkin Mariner I picked up a few months ago. Still have room to set a tank next to it, and tomorrow I’ll hang the #12 cord with the 220V ends on it that’s solely dedicated for this compressor. I like to have the compressor and tank waist high, and the cart makes it easy to roll over to my shooting bench.



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And all covered up



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And directly behind it is my other hobby, which is souping up my 1993 1st gen dodge with the 12V Cummins-



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Not sure if it's an old wives tale or not but I've always heard never run a compressor on a cart because it will oscillate and cause uneven ring wear against the cylinder walls. I've always heard run them on concrete. I would think even with wheel locks on the cart with it on top it would oscillate/vibrate.

I have no idea if this is true or not. Maybe they were watching Tesla videos about standing waves or something -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tesla%27s_oscillator
 
LMNOP, I’m going to look into that, as you’ve got me curious. I’m actually going to email Alkin and send them pics of my set up to get the answer. 



IRONMAN482- hows it going union brother? Sheet Metal Workers Local 104 here, retired. I’m curious as to the model year on your compressor, as ours look identical except for the manufacture sticker. The newer Alkins have a different type of control box, and as an Alkin rep told me recently, more plastic parts. Mine is a 2004 model, just turned 36 hours.




 
Bigraga ,I retired from local 482 Austin Texas in 2016. After 35 yrs in the trade ,thought I would miss it ' Not ' , withput going to the shop tp verify my Alkin is 2006 iirc 135 hrs ,I got it used over a year ago its been great so far, I started with 2 scuba tanks ,filled them 1 time and decided going to the dive shop 70 mile each way and dealing with austin traffic wasn't for me ,I avoid Austin like the plague. And with 4 big bores it was a no brainer. I bought a used nuvair coltri first two years later it started to fail and before the repair parts arrived I saw thw Alkin for a good price and couldn't pass it up ,shod last me years to come .
 
When first looking at these Alain’s, your vertical model is what I wanted or planned for one day, but when my 2004 model became available, it was one of those days where I just couldn’t pass it up. I’d like to say maybe one day when my 2004 model breaks down, I’ll get the vertical model, but I think the one I own will go to the grave with me.
 
I never can find a price on these compressor Be nice if when they are talked about prices and maybe contact information was included. Seems like the dealers want to keep it a big secret. I find that annoying

Go to airtanksplus.com. Email or call Gene Webber, one of the two owners of that shop. His prices for the various Alkin models are there for all to see, and what you discuss with him are shipping option costs. Great guy to deal with.



Oh, I contacted two sources regarding my Alkin on top of my cart. Both are Alkin reps. No worries at all about my set up, just make sure that whatever the compressor is on, that the adjustable feet on the Alkin are adjusted so the compressors frame ends up level. A compressor set on top of concrete that isn’t level isn’t a good thing, either. 

Ive since run my Alkin twice now to top off that yellow Scott tank while on top of my rolling cart, and nothing moves or shakes. My hatsan lightning vibrated more than this Alkin does on this same cart.
 
LMNOP, I’m going to look into that, as you’ve got me curious. I’m actually going to email Alkin and send them pics of my set up to get the answer.

By chance did you hear back? I Internet dorked around all day and couldn't find where this was an actual thing aside from the compressor vibrating off or it being a tipping hazard. Maybe I dreamed it but I can distinctly remember at some point being told never to run a compressor on a cart due to uneven ring wear because of oscillation.

EDIT: Sorry, just saw the above, thanks! Sounds like an old wives tale then with a compressor on a cart based on the above. Much appreciated sir!
 
LMNOP- I topped off my tank twice yesterday, each time watching the compressor, feeling for any odd shaking, and none to be seen or felt. The cart on wheels doesn’t even move. At the bottom shelf of the cart I have two 10 x 10 steel pellet traps full of duct seal, one of them is easily 65 lbs and the other around 30 lbs. so that weight below, and the compressor and tank above, yeah, that carts not rolling or shaking anytime soon.