Catastrophic AirForce EPump Failure

[Guest]

Mid Feb 2019 I purchased an AirForce EPump. It arrived on Feb 22 and the details of my initial experiences are at https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/airforce-epump-overpriced-under-performing-but-runs-off-3-2amp-12v-dc/#post-449138

Total runtime is 12 Ninja w/EZ Valve fills from 3100 PSI to 4500 PSI at 1h 15m. 1 initial bottle fill from 0 PSI to 4500 PSI at 4hrs.

Fast forward to today -- About 30 minutes into the bottle fill from 3100 PSI I went to bleed the system as I normally do from AC power. The motor was stalled and there was a strong odor of overheating. The back of the motor was too warm to touch even with a squirrel cage fan pointed at it. Upon disassembly I noticed the gear guide collar was half way out preventing the system from fully cycling thus stalling the motor in the upward pump position. No fuses had blown. Upon switching the system to DC and using a deep cycle marine battery the 15 AMP fuses blew. Only the DC side appears to be fused, the AC side does not appear to be fused or the fuse system malfunctioned. There appears to be a thermal switch on the gear motor as well and this did not pop up/trip. On the AC side there appears to be some melting of wire between the AC plug connection and the red AC selector switch.

Attempting to tap the collar back into place results in it popping back out around 3100 PSI. There is a minor electrical burnt odor. There is a fairly strong odor of an overheated motor. The DC side now immediately pops fuses upon selection. The AC side will still pump up until 3500 PSI where the guide collar binds against the gear rod teeth.

I will contact the AirForce service department tomorrow and keep this thread updated with the experiences. As it stands now I am unable to fill the bottle.

 

[CharlieF]

WOW. I sure hope they honor their warranty. I was just about to buy one but will put that on hold until I see how they treat you. 

 

[Guest]

I've made contact with them and we'll see how it goes. So far all a positive experience and I suspect they'll resolve it without hassle. Hopefully I just received a bad unit and this isn't an overall design flaw or persistent issue.

 

[Guest]

Can't complain -- great customer service so far and AirForce is standing behind their product with a repair or replace option at my preference. I took the replace option since I can re-use the packaging to ship the broken unit back to them. Upon next shipment fulfillment it'll be on the way and I'll be back in business.

 

[Guest]

Update - 2019-04-19 - Have not received the replacement pump. AirForce indicated it could take a full month before inventory becomes available on Mar 26 2019. I will reach out to them to get a status update.

 

[Guest]

They responded and indicated that they are still awaiting shipment for the replacement. No response received yet when I asked for an updated ETA and/or the option of a refund. Initially they indicated it could take up to a month, and we're just a tad into the 3 week mark.

 

[Guest]

Today is the one month mark with no replacement in hand. I do propose a new name for this product though -- AirForce EChump.

 

[Guest]

RMA number obtained from AirForce and unit sent back to them for full refund.

 

[Guest]

AirForce indicates they have contacted the reseller (AGD) and a refund is now pending. Issues with the refund should be taken up with AGD.

 

[Guest]

No refund has been received from AGD at this time. Come Thursday if no refund then I will issue a chargeback. I've received no communication from AGD.

 

[ImpactX]

Isn't air Force the same company that makes the air Force condor, and Texan big bore? I thought they are a american company. Damn shame that make it so hard to get it repair, replaced or refund. I bought my hatsan lighting from field supply but when I had leaking tube problem. I contact the company that makes it's aka hatsan and they replied within 1-2 days. And offer to ship the parts to me for free. Now it's working like a charm. Hope air Force or airgun depot back their products. Good luck.

 

[Guest]

Yeah the same. AirForce stood behind the product so I can't complain but at the moment I've not yet been refunded by AGD. All in all my biggest complaint in this experience is that it was not streamlined, there was no fixed ETA for a replacement, the one month replacement ETA came and went, and the whole process required a lot more interaction on my part than I felt necessary for a simple refund or replace. Even now it's in my hands to chase down AGD for a resolution which is going to be a time sink based upon my initial order experiences with the darned thing -- https://www.airgunnation.com/topic/negative-experiences-with-airgundepot-com/

I just contacted AGD via E-Mail to notify them no refund has been received and Thursday, May 23, 2019 I will issue a charge back.

 

[Guest]

AGD has responded to my email indicating that they are sorry for the delay and the refund is being processed as-of this morning. Some 2 months later after the initial issue it appears an amiciable resolution may be near.

 

[Guest]

Refund issued \o/ Thus ends the multi-month timesink. At the end of the day, aside from the time waste, I lost $65.82 in return shipping costs.

 

[Str8tshooter]

That stinks. Thanks for sharing your bad experience, it may help others decide if they want to go this route.

 

[Glockaxis]

I am still hand pumping until one of these compressors becomes reliable enough for me to shell out that kind of money. I hope it happens sooner than later. ( This was one of the ones I was seriously looking to get...oh well)