HPA Compressor Crossroads…?🙈

[L.Leon]

My Hatsan Lightning has served me well until today. Was filling my SCBA from 2800 to 4000 psi, when the following started happening at 3500 psi. The on/off switch started smoking and before I knew it there was smoldering coming from it and the other switches. Once before through vibration, I believe the on/off switch caused me problems and I replaced it. This time around all the switches will need to be rewired. Frankly, I will try and fix it but am done… I have enough air in my two SCBAs for a few weeks, judiciously using my Pathfinder, the Ghost will have to wait. Both my Atomics I can fill from a hand pump so am good there. The irony is that I had directed filled all my PCPs today with zero issues. If I get the Lightning running again it will only be for direct fills.

My question to you fellow members is do I buy a direct fill compressor, or bite the bullet and get something like the Daystate 4500psi Super Leggero 110v Air Compressor. And though it is pricey, it is not much more than some of the PCPs currently on the market. I understand it utlimately my decision. But am seeking the thoughts and opinions of those who may see it differently. Two of my PCPs required a HPA compressor, two do not. I suspect the Atomics are going to see more use until I can make up my mind. First world problems, Oy!

 

[markT]

i jumped in hard when i bought.. i said i would never buy a compressor, but ended up with Alkin w31. I didn't look real hard and long but did see where there seems no issues with Alkin like all the other threads about other brands that seem to be constantly worked on breaking etc.... Last thing i want to do is mess with a compressor. too many critters need to be dispatched. i bought directly from a mfg, not a private labeled unit. i am by no means an expert or really don't have any usage experience.. hope some of this helps in some way. good luck!!

 

[grackleblast]

Budget constraints can and will determine your path forward . When I lost my local source for hpa about 9 years ago , I had a choice to make.........
I already had probably somewhere north of $5 - $6 thousand invested in PCP air rifles. The owner of my local go- to for fills died of a stroke. His survivors could not liquidate his shop quickly enough . There I was , great guns and no way to obtain a fill locally. There were scuba / paintball shops about 60 - 75 miles away , but had sketchy hours and lacked the stability that I desired. Personal hpa compressors were in their infancy at this point and most left much to be desired. I had been watching info on the Airetex 45 compressor (now known as Alkin). At the time ; spring of 2016 , there was an opportunity to buy one for $2995 plus freight shipping...........$235 . I did my sales pitch to the Mrs.......(CFO) and made the purchase.
Being air independent , having stellar moisture filtration , and knowing that when I flipped the switch ............hpa would follow quickly. It was a tough pill to swallow , but I'm glad I did and have no regrets . I now am able to fill my tanks (all out of hydro and past the "15 year" death ) at and do so for my shooting buddies and the local airgun smith. This is my version and I'm sticking with it.

PS, I now have just over 51 hours on mine and absolutely no problems , no drama .

 

[6gun]

My Hatsan Lightning has served me well until today. Was filling my SCBA from 2800 to 4000 psi, when the following started happening at 3500 psi. The on/off switch started smoking and before I knew it there was smoldering coming from it and the other switches. Once before through vibration, I believe the on/off switch caused me problems and I replaced it. This time around all the switches will need to be rewired. Frankly, I will try and fix it but am done… I have enough air in my two SCBAs for a few weeks, judiciously using my Pathfinder, the Ghost will have to wait. Both my Atomics I can fill from a hand pump so am good there. The irony is that I had directed filled all my PCPs today with zero issues. If I get the Lightning running again it will only be for direct fills.

My question to you fellow members is do I buy a direct fill compressor, or bite the bullet and get something like the Daystate 4500psi Super Leggero 110v Air Compressor. And though it is pricey, it is not much more than some of the PCPs currently on the market. I understand it utlimately my decision. But am seeking the thoughts and opinions of those who may see it differently. Two of my PCPs required a HPA compressor, two do not. I suspect the Atomics are going to see more use until I can make up my mind. First world problems, Oy!

Buy huge if you can, or buy a cheap Shoebox clone off Amazon for under 200 bucks, or just buy properly rated switches for your current one. It still pumps air, the switches just cant handle the current. If you had a electrical meter and an "amp clamp" that did ac and DC you could find out how much it's pulling and plan accordingly with switches. The electronics side is wordy and seems daunting, it's not bad.

 

[JackHughs]

Vibration can cause electrical connectors to loosen and/or cause soldered connections to work harden and fail over time. Loose connectors failing connections can result in increased resistance. Increased resistance can (and will) cause high temperatures under load.

I hope you have an easy fix and your compressor gives you many more hours of reliable use.

JackHughs

 

[Ezana4CE]

My Hatsan Lightning has served me well until today. Was filling my SCBA from 2800 to 4000 psi, when the following started happening at 3500 psi. The on/off switch started smoking and before I knew it there was smoldering coming from it and the other switches. Once before through vibration, I believe the on/off switch caused me problems and I replaced it. This time around all the switches will need to be rewired. Frankly, I will try and fix it but am done… I have enough air in my two SCBAs for a few weeks, judiciously using my Pathfinder, the Ghost will have to wait. Both my Atomics I can fill from a hand pump so am good there. The irony is that I had directed filled all my PCPs today with zero issues. If I get the Lightning running again it will only be for direct fills.

My question to you fellow members is do I buy a direct fill compressor, or bite the bullet and get something like the Daystate 4500psi Super Leggero 110v Air Compressor. And though it is pricey, it is not much more than some of the PCPs currently on the market. I understand it utlimately my decision. But am seeking the thoughts and opinions of those who may see it differently. Two of my PCPs required a HPA compressor, two do not. I suspect the Atomics are going to see more use until I can make up my mind. First world problems, Oy!

@L.Leon My suggestion is a SCBA tank or two and a heavy duty compressor to fill them like Alkin or Coltri compressors. I'd considered a Yong Heng before purchasing my Alkin - this is before GX compressors took off. I spoke with several senior AGN members that owned Alkins and other heavy duty HPA compressors and decided upon the Alkin W31 Mariner. No regrets.

 

[WorriedMan]

My $270 Yong Heng turns 4 next month, only problem being a gauge which shook itself apart. A liquid-filled one, borrowed from Chinese HPA handpump, works fine. (Did kill water pump by pulling on wires to remove from tank but $11 replacement has much stronger wire connections.) Even though just direct filling airguns, I still use ice bottles to pre-chill water and room temperature compressor, as well as an external fan. I consider my annual cost for "air independence" seems reasonable for hobby enjoyment. WM

 

[steve-l]

My Hatsan Lightning has served me well until today. Was filling my SCBA from 2800 to 4000 psi, when the following started happening at 3500 psi. The on/off switch started smoking and before I knew it there was smoldering coming from it and the other switches. Once before through vibration, I believe the on/off switch caused me problems and I replaced it. This time around all the switches will need to be rewired. Frankly, I will try and fix it but am done… I have enough air in my two SCBAs for a few weeks, judiciously using my Pathfinder, the Ghost will have to wait. Both my Atomics I can fill from a hand pump so am good there. The irony is that I had directed filled all my PCPs today with zero issues. If I get the Lightning running again it will only be for direct fills.

My question to you fellow members is do I buy a direct fill compressor, or bite the bullet and get something like the Daystate 4500psi Super Leggero 110v Air Compressor. And though it is pricey, it is not much more than some of the PCPs currently on the market. I understand it utlimately my decision. But am seeking the thoughts and opinions of those who may see it differently. Two of my PCPs required a HPA compressor, two do not. I suspect the Atomics are going to see more use until I can make up my mind. First world problems, Oy!

You are probably not going to like my reply, but I think you need to look at the big picture. HPA is the most expensive element in our hobby. Much more than the cost of our guns. You get what you pay for. Buy once, cry once. I own a 4 cyl Bauer. It was made in 1968 and still works perfectly. Its current value is much more than its original new cost. It has a 100% duty cycle. It easily fills 40 liter bottles and never overheats. Please compare those truths with the cheap Chinese specials that have virtually no resale value and a very low duty cycle rating. Then consider speed. There is no comparison.

 

[Back_Roads]

Owner of 4 compressors, from original Shoe Box to the cheap 12v portables. Currently running a Tuxing 42 series in the shop, and a GX4 as my portable, I have topped off 2l bottles in the field with it a few times and also top off my big bores with it along with occasional top offs for other PCPs when I do not have a bottle along. GX4 is my favorite so far.

 

[JimD]

I have a YH that is about 4 years old. I use it to fill an "expired" Scott 45 minute bottle. Noisy but works fine. I've added two small computer radiators, a little big bigger water pump, and a 8 inch fan on the motor. I fill my bottle with runs of about a half hour without exceeding 60 degrees C without using ice. The YH is rated to go to 75 degrees. I've replaced the heat gauge more than once and one O-ring. The pressure gauge is broken but I don't care, I use the gauge on the fill set on the bottle. It works and I will keep using it as long as it does.

Much more recently, just a couple months ago, I bought a GX CS2. I wanted something portable for gun fills and it fills that role well. I added a GX air filter when that came out. Gun fills take about 5 minutes using the filter and are not as noisy. The compressor never gets hot to the touch. I added a little setup with a battery dock and step down converter so I can power it with Milwaukee 18V tool batteries. Or I can use 120V or a car battery. Only weighs about 15 lbs and nicely compact. So very portable. It is not a replacement for my YH but it is a nice addition. If the YH fails I will have air. I only paid about $250 for the CS2 delivered.

If I had to replace the YH today it would probably be with a GX CS4, possibly a CS5. There are single and double cylinder CS5s. I'm impressed with the engineering of the GX compressors. The CS2 and 3 are air cooled and are only supposed to run 30 minutes or less. But that's plenty for gun fills. CS4s and 5s are water cooled. The CS4 is light enough to be pretty easily portable but can also fill a 45 minute bottle. A CS5 is recommended for bigger bottles. It may take an hour for these pumps to fill a bottle but they are not very noisy and the noise is not unpleasant (assuming the 4s and 5s are like my 2) so they are OK to use inside. Target Forge sells parts for the GX compressors and makes youtubes about them.

 

[Normkel]

My Hatsan Lightning has served me well until today. Was filling my SCBA from 2800 to 4000 psi, when the following started happening at 3500 psi. The on/off switch started smoking and before I knew it there was smoldering coming from it and the other switches. Once before through vibration, I believe the on/off switch caused me problems and I replaced it. This time around all the switches will need to be rewired. Frankly, I will try and fix it but am done… I have enough air in my two SCBAs for a few weeks, judiciously using my Pathfinder, the Ghost will have to wait. Both my Atomics I can fill from a hand pump so am good there. The irony is that I had directed filled all my PCPs today with zero issues. If I get the Lightning running again it will only be for direct fills.

My question to you fellow members is do I buy a direct fill compressor, or bite the bullet and get something like the Daystate 4500psi Super Leggero 110v Air Compressor. And though it is pricey, it is not much more than some of the PCPs currently on the market. I understand it utlimately my decision. But am seeking the thoughts and opinions of those who may see it differently. Two of my PCPs required a HPA compressor, two do not. I suspect the Atomics are going to see more use until I can make up my mind. First world problems, Oy!

I went down the bottle/tank route, but departed from that for a GX CS3 that I take to the range. For my purposes, it is easier and simpler than SCBA and larger compressor. I am sure that you have weighed and evaluated the disadvantages of each approach, so I am curious to learn how you make the determination?

 

[Franklink]

I know you're a low power, pellet kind of guy. For folks like us that don't burn through a whole lot of air the Yong Heng is a surprisingly good choice. Mine is still cranking away. I'm up to just shy of 20hrs on it, and at the fill rate of them, that's a lot of air.

If (when) it dies, I'm not out thousands of dollars.

 

[steve-l]

Assuming you buy a Bauer, use it for 10 years and sell it, your cost is $0 or a profit. Consider that against your Chinese specials..

 

[Avator]

LOL... if it's that good why would I ever sell it?

 

[JimD]

The least expensive Bauer I see is about $6500 and 3hp. So 220V is going to be required which may be an additional expense. If you invest the $6500 your return should buy you all the GX compressors you would ever need. With good returns you could buy one every year. Even if you went with the CS5 you could buy one every 3 years or so. They should last longer than that. BUT the CS will take a lot longer to fill a bottle, I'm sure.

Big difference between a compressor engineered to fill dive bottles and one engineered to fill PCPs. For those with the disposal income I think having a really powerful sturdy compressor is great. But it's nothing I aspire to.

 

[steve-l]

The least expensive Bauer I see is about $6500 and 3hp. So 220V is going to be required which may be an additional expense. If you invest the $6500 your return should buy you all the GX compressors you would ever need. With good returns you could buy one every year. Even if you went with the CS5 you could buy one every 3 years or so. They should last longer than that. BUT the CS will take a lot longer to fill a bottle, I'm sure.

Big difference between a compressor engineered to fill dive bottles and one engineered to fill PCPs. For those with the disposal income I think having a really powerful sturdy compressor is great. But it's nothing I aspire to.

It's called being penny wise and pound foolish. Most people have no problem buying a $30,000 car and losing $10,000 in value just driving it out of the dealership, but spending $6,500 for a HPA compressor that does not lose value in 10 years is OK?

 

[Hammer]

It's called being penny wise and pound foolish. Most people have no problem buying a $30,000 car and losing $10,000 in value just driving it out of the dealership, but spending $6,500 for a HPA compressor that does not lose value in 10 years is OK?

Penny wise, pound foolish.
Buy once, cry once.

These things do make sense, but $6500 is totally out of the question for many.

I have always used bottles, and an old original shoebox to fill them. Taking inspiration from Normkel (up there^), I wonder if it might be more simple to fill guns from a small, less expensive compressor. It would be a different paradigm for me, but sometimes change is good.

 

[groak]

Buy a Coltri for $3200, and never look back. Mine is now many years old, always works...only routine oil changes.

Coltri Icon 100 LSE EM Compressor · 3hp 230V/E1/60Hz

The Coltri Icon 100 LSE EM (formerly known as the MCH6) is a portable, standalone, four-stage high-pressure compressor capable of delivering up to 4500 psi (310 bar) for SCUBA, SCBA, or paintball/PCP tank filling on the go. Powered by either a gas engine or an electric single-/three-phase motor...

nuvair.com

 

[L.Leon]

Gentle thank you for the responses… I have a lot of mulling over (thinking) to do…

 

[steve-l]

Penny wise, pound foolish.
Buy once, cry once.

These things do make sense, but $6500 is totally out of the question for many.

I have always used bottles, and an old original shoebox to fill them. Taking inspiration from Normkel (up there^), I wonder if it might be more simple to fill guns from a small, less expensive compressor. It would be a different paradigm for me, but sometimes change is good.

I understand your point, but consumers seem to have no issue in going to a bank and obligating themselves to an expensive car for 5 years on a product that immediately loses a large percentage of its value immediately upon its acceptance. Doing the same thing for a professional compressor that NEVER loses its value is an infinitely better solution and yet still do that and think it is the best least expensive solution and it is not. Even the cost of a personal loan to make the better purchase is still less expensive. Go figure.