Airetex 45 compressor

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Just got in touch with Airetex. The Airetex 45 compressor is indeed $2995, great price right now. And they will configure the unit to connect to your airgun and tank.

Pays for itself long term...really, really long term...like 375 fills to payoff for me. So if I filled once per week, that would be 7 years to pay off. YIKES!

I read it fills a 100cf carbon fiber tank from 3000 to 4500 in 6 minutes. So that's 10 fills per hour x 2000 hours between rebuilds = 20,000 fills.

It currently costs me $8 per fill at the scuba shop x 20,000 Airetex fills = $160,000 saved for $3000 spent. Net savings = $157,000 over my lifetime of PCP shooting. This is not taking into account for time and gas to travel to get my tanks filled now. So savings is actually more due to convenience factor.

I don't know guys, do you think it's worth it???

Daxx
 
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Terry,
Just get out the CC and call. Good goods and people if you can afford it.

Copied from their page ( and as the one I have seen was equipt ) :
The New Airetex 45 is designed and assembled in America to be the best portable compressor made. It runs cool and quiet at only 1100 RPM, The crankshaft is supported on both ends with bearings and larger in diameter than most others. We designed this compressor with durability in mind and use only the best materials and components. This compressor puts out 3.7 CFM (4.6 **SCFM), 3 cylinder, 3 stage 5000 PSI with all Stainless Steel cooling coils and composite rings on final stage. Large dual stage water separator and very large purifier. The purifier is good for an actual 50 hours of running time and we have an optional larger purifier good for over 100 hours of running time."

TALK to them and you will have a plug & play unit day one that will last , it's not some unit with low cost parts/build.

John
 
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I'm not from Airetex but to answer TerryB00 an Airetex will not require any extra filters. A filter tower and filter is built in. Compressors like Bauers, Airetex, Daystate, etc. are made for divers and have filters to provide dry breathable air. You will eventually buy replacement air filter cartridges after a number of hours run time and change the compressor oil. These are normal maintenance items and you will get hundreds of fills before requiring them. I know that the Airetex compressor motor is designed for 220 volts. It would be a mistake to run it on 110 volts even if you could rewire it to do so. These heavy duty compressors only draw about 13 amps at 220 volts, but would pull 25-30 amps at 110 volts. It is much easier on a home wiring system to add an additional 220 volt outlet drawing 20 or less amps than to wire a 110 volt circuit drawing 30 amps. The higher the amp draw, the more heat in your wiring. Compressor newbies think a 110 volt compressor is just a plug in item using existing outlets. They aren't. Most 110 volt circuits are have 15 or 20 amp breakers. Even the small Mrodair compressor is tripping breakers on 110 volt outlets unless a dedicated 30 amp circuit is used.
 
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Dax have you figured anything in for maintenance and repairs of the Airetex and for when it is down you will most likely have to revert back to your local dive shop until you are up and running again, and will it really last your lifetime of air gunning? I don't believe it is quite as simple maths as you stated. I purchased an Omega because I was tired of waiting 2 weeks to get my bottles back from the dive shop, 1 year later, at the end of my warranty it has run for about 4 hours in total, is it worth it, just for the convenience, I think not so mine is being sold. I will take the inconvenience once a year and wait for my bottles. I had expected to use it more but time goes by so fast when you are busy working, so the one fill of my 2 tanks cost me about $500 which is what I will lose on the sale. For anyone wanting their own air supply, really weigh up the options and costs, before you buy, I wish I had done my homework better than I did, all the best, Neil.
 
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When I was looking at compressors, I found there really was a large discrepancy from the chinese compressors to the Bauer. The reliability/performance and price go hand in hand. I personally had a hard time coughing up the $4k for a Bauer. If your goal is to stay under $2,000.00, your choices are limited to the chinese compressors or the Shoebox. The Shoebox is much slower yet appears to be more reliable and easy to repair. Many guys on this forum are quite happy with them. I almost bought a Shoebox but was lucky enough to get one of the last Shelden Kidde compressors available. Like Neil has already stated, the Omega has mixed success. It appears that the Mrod compressor is having alot of difficulties.

Your next choice at $3k is either a Used Bauer, Daystate, or the Airetex. The Daystate is a rebranded italian compressor and is smaller than the Airetex. The Airetex, I believe, was originally a turkish compressor called Alken. There was one for sale on the yellow forum several months ago. Not sure how it is now American-made but it is definitely made in Texas. I had a hard time finding any reviews good or bad regarding reliability on either of these compressors. Most of the reviews were guys just getting them. I felt the Airetex was built more sturdy but requires a designated space. When I was at AOA, I was surpised at how compact the Daystate was. A friend of mine who deals with these compressors says they are both good compressors but they will require more service that the Bauer. I think it really depends on the amount of use. I believe these are very good alternatives and being so close to the factory it make sense to chose the Airetex when you will need service. Having Daystate back their compressor is also reassuring. 

Bottom line, you have to weigh the inconvience of going to your fill center. After a year of shooting, I was done driving. If you want to stay under $2k, I would go with the Shoebox. If you are willing to go the extra $1k, you will have a more reliable and faster machine (hopefully). Had I not found the Shelden, I would have gone with either the Daystate or the Airemax. If you have several guys filling or you shoot "a lot", you may want to go all the way with a Bauer.
Just my take, hope this helps,
Doc

 
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Shelden Sporting Goods. It is a military compressor used for a flamethrower. Although they are still produced, he can no longer get them. Seems they are being resold to our Allies. He has parts to repair them but can't get any more parts. I have not seen any Shelden Kidde up for sale used. AJShoots owns one. Seems like they never go back up for sale. He has a different compressor but the cost is around $3500. I think it still is a military compressor so most likely it will also run forever but the cost is more than my Kidde which was around $1800. His compressors are refurbished military compressors, so they are built for high use and abuse. If you purchase one, more than likely they truly will last forever. Many of these compressors are from WW II and the Korean War.
 
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This could be another compressor option from Shelden's Sporting Goods
bE6-0v1.JPG

bE6-0v2 A 6.0 CFM Noah Howden compressor complete with a commercial combination moisture trap and filter for breathing air (Grade E). Powered by a Baldor 5 HP 220 volt industrial motor with manual controls (electric shutoff/start and moisture drains). Unit (2 available) will be either direct drive (as shown) or belt driven similar to bE4.2 (black powder coated steel ) The safety relief valve can be set at any pressure up to 4500PSI. Unit has a fill whip for SCUBA /DIN OR AIRGUN valves. Price is $3500 plus shipping. Unit can be supplied with auto drain and electric shutoff controls for an additional $900.00
Click to expand...
 
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"NeilClague"Dax have you figured anything in for maintenance and repairs of the Airetex and for when it is down you will most likely have to revert back to your local dive shop until you are up and running again, and will it really last your lifetime of air gunning? I don't believe it is quite as simple maths as you stated. I purchased an Omega because I was tired of waiting 2 weeks to get my bottles back from the dive shop, 1 year later, at the end of my warranty it has run for about 4 hours in total, is it worth it, just for the convenience, I think not so mine is being sold. I will take the inconvenience once a year and wait for my bottles. I had expected to use it more but time goes by so fast when you are busy working, so the one fill of my 2 tanks cost me about $500 which is what I will lose on the sale. For anyone wanting their own air supply, really weigh up the options and costs, before you buy, I wish I had done my homework better than I did, all the best, Neil.
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To comment on the Omega, I'm the impatient type so waiting 4 hours to fill two tanks would have me wanting to smash the compressor with a baseball bat. LOL Need something faster, Neil.

Yes, on the Airetex there will be oil to maintain and the filter is only good for 50 hours so the media will need to be replaced on a schedule. But as long as I do that, and assuming I don't get a "lemon" compressor, it should be good for 2000 hours before rebuild. Bruce Dodson from Airetex has reports of some Airetex 45's running 2600 hours and still going. Do I think it will last me a lifetime? Yep. I won't be using it to fill empty bottles like a scuba shop, I'll be using it to top off my tank from 170 Bar to 310 Bar (approximately 2400 psi to 4500 psi) in 6 to 8 minutes of run time.

But here's the real advantage. I have several hundred acres on the Texas coast that has lots of hunting potential. I don't get over there much, it's just leased out to local cattle ranchers. But eventually I'm planning to move back to that area and there isn't a paintball or scuba shop within a 100 miles that can fill a tank to 4500 psi. That is NOT going to work for me, so I will need a reliable air source so I can maintain my shooting hobby. Since this compressor last so darn long between rebuilds, even if I get it now to support my local habit, I'll still be using it for years when I get down to the coast one day. But I'm in no hurry to get it. Just looking and thinking about it. Every time I go get my tank filled at the scuba shop, that's $8 less towards my compressor.

 
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I would agree. Base on being right next to Airetex, you gotta go with them. Someone not so close to a service center may want to consider dealing with Jim Shelden. Three grand is a lot of money so you really want to make the right choice. I would be comfortable purchasing the Airetex, Daystate, or the Shelden Howden (Kidde no longer is available). I think you will be happy with all these choices. There have been many people happy with the Omega but at $2k, I have too many doubts and have read enough complaints. It might be 3-5 years before you know if your $3k investment was worth it or not. 
Linsfreak and 30cal both highly recommend the Shoebox. I value both their opinions and the Shoebox now has a "faster" version out. You should still plan on spending about $2k with all the support items. Jim Shelden also sells a filter to ensure you have dry air for the Shoebox. It is pricey, about $500, but you will be certain the air is dry. It has a replaceable filter cartridges that runs about $40. Others may be satisfied with a desiccant but I am not willing to risk ruining my rifles just to save a little money. It would really SUCK to loose a rifle due to moisture contamination that I could have prevented (especially when they cost over $1500). The $2k is what had stopped me from purchasing the Shoebox (when you add everything up). Although the Shoebox does the job there is NO COMPARISON when can fill in minutes vs hours. I was lucky (I hope) to get the Shelden Kidde but was preparing to purchase a Daystate or the Airetex.
 
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LOL, think about it, this is a crazy hobby. A…….. honey………..., remember that $1500 rifle, $350 scope, $600 tank that I bought a year ago. Well………. I really NEED this compressor……….. it's a steal at $2995. LOL, I have no idea how I have pulled this one off. My kids are telling her I'm having a midlife crisis. I haven't told her otherwise so I'm running with it as long as I can! 
You will not regret having a compressor,

Doc

PS- My Neighbor has always said, " It is better to ask for forgiveness than for permission". 
 
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The airtex 45 looks to be the best bang for the Bucks. Built like a tank and longer rebuild times.

The daystate/coltri is also a good buy, just not as robust. Yet if only filling once or twice a week, (88)cubic feet tanks, it would be years for a rebuild.
on both of them, unless you can get 220v 3phase installed at your house, they will only run about 2/3 of there pumping ability. Gas model would be a better choice plus it's portable. The daystate/coltri 90lbs. Gas model 84lbs. The Tex 45 is 175lbs according to what all have posted. One person lift for daystate/coltri , two person lift for Tex 45

if I was in the market for a (personal fast compressor) I would go for the daystate/coltri, why, weight and the fact that coltri it's US distributor Nuvair is five minutes from the house :) so service not a problem, shipping cost not a problem.

If I could get 220v 3phase circuit installed in a residence, and didn't have a need or want for portability , then the airtex all the way. 





 
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