Finally considering a compressor. Thoughts?

Jump to latest Follow Reply
T

TWebster

Member
Nov 7, 2018
148
57
Houston, TX, United States
So as my interests wax and wane, I started pulling out my airguns and shooting more. However, an inconvence arose. The scuba shop where I get my tank filled (literally down the street from my house) closed...

Actually happened several months ago, but I didn't give it too much thought because I wasn't shooting. 

So now I'm taking it as a sign to investigate compressors.

My question is really just what kind of experience have you folks had with yours? It seems the ceaper/more affordable units tend to have issues after a bit of use, but I don't think I shoot enough for a $4k compressor either!

My tank is a 110 cu ft 3300psi aluminum scuba. Considered a 4500 tank, but if I have a compressor I'm not too worried about it.

Just not sure which direction to go... 
 
For me if I was not going to purchase a $3000 Alkin or similar I would buy a Yong Heng as it is the best under and often over $1000 compressor around. Expect it will handle your tank filling as well. It is also faster than most.

The Yong Heng "simple version" least expensive does not have a water separator you need one.

The "auto stop" version shuts off near 2900 to 3000psi. So it's not good for a 4500psi tank which everybody should have.

So you likely want the "Hardcover" or 'Set pressure' versions your choice on the 110V or 220V.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32824234795.html?spm=a2g0o.store_home.productList_13760454.subject_2

Keep them cool, the oil topped off, to the red circle in the sight glass and don't fill past their spec which I think is 4350psi, a little less is better than the max, and the Yong Heng should last for years unless you get a bad one. I ran one of mine for a couple of minutes without oil OOPS! I did my first oil change at about an hour far longer, between changes, after that.

I have two YH compressors bought the second as a backup for the first as I fergot to turn on the coolant pump several times and overheated it until it smoked. I added a switched outlet to the system so it turns the pump on before the compressor will power up to keep me from doing that from now on. The second one, my back up unit, died in about two months bad QC from the factory. Cost me a $12, for a new second stage piston, and an hour to repair it. The #1 unit that I was worried about just kept on filling my guns and tanks till I got #2 repaired and retired it.


 
Upvote 0
In your own unique specific case it's the ONLY TIME I could suggest the $2000 Daystate LC110.

You only filling to 3300psi thats exactly what it's designed to fill 3260psi fill rated scuba tanks.

Not applicable if you have a 4500psi SCBA CF tank though even of the specs say so unless you want early failure.

Otherwise a Yong Heng from Wal-Mart with 4 year protection plan.
 
Upvote 0
I have both models Altaros boosters one runs off a high CFM compressor like the shoebox (RIP) did. Not used either long enough to confirm reliability first but it's a $600-$700 option. The other is self contained using 2 tanks to make it work just line MR Hollowpoints videos.

There's the $899 version all in one self contained from a big bore PCP shooting company boosts your tank to fill straight to your gun down to 1500psi not labeled Altaros just got onto the market you might take a look at. I'm waiting one year to read long term feedback before I buy but that's just me though.
 
Upvote 0
I'm loving my YH. Got the simple version (no auto stop) but it's the "newer" version with thicker cylinder walls. Just baby it. Keep it cool, change oil every hour of run time & use it to top off tanks as opposed to filling empty tanks. That way you only need to run it for 5-10 minutes. Bleed moisture from trap every 3-5 minutes while filling & get a decent in line oil/water filter .I've got a few SCBA tanks but never top off past 4200psi. Works great. Got it from "Smarketbuy" on Amazon with a 4 yr warranty. Feels good to be independent from dive shops. I only use 6000psi rated fill whips. Hope this helps. 
 
Upvote 0
Upvote 0
I have been very pleased with this one. I have had it for 3.3 years now without any issues. I use it to fill an 88cf and a 44cf tank typically every other week, sometimes in the summer months once a week or more to top off these tanks from typically 2800 psi to 4500psi. I shoot the heavy pills is why i.e., .357, .30 and .25 calibers. This is a true 4500 psi (310 bar) compressor. Not a 300 bar one.

I like it because it is relatively fast at around 20 to 45 minutes to top them off depending on how low the tanks get down to. I also like it because it cools the air quite well before entering the tanks, so I get to keep what I put in them. Another is that it's not real loud and can hold a conversation while near it. There is also support and parts available from PA which I like. I haven't had to rely on them, but you never know. I figure it is bound to fail one day. It has already paid for itself in my view if it does. I've seen a number of folks knock these, but you'll see that with any of them, typically. I also use the available dry air intake option that is offered by PA. It also has a large "tampon" type filter, and comes with an extra one. They last a really long time and won't let moisture into the tanks. It also came with a spare rebuild kit and the dead head and male-to male connectors that really come in handy. I don't have to worry about an ice bucket every time I use it either with its built-in cooling system and the automatic shut off once it hits my set psi.

The digs would be that it's a little heavy at near 100 pounds for portability, but it has stayed in my garage in the same spot since the first day. Tanks are far easier to move around for me, and much faster and more convenient to fill guns with, IMHO. The other would be that it doesn't have an automatic purge timer, but really, I like controlling that part manually anyways based on experience with this compressor.

Air Venturi Air Compressor, Electric, 4500 PSI/310 Bar, 110V. PCP. (pyramydair.com)
 
Upvote 0
Sorry - to Trigger treat above... Yeah I have looked at those as well. But I am a bit gunshy because they look just like a compressor brought out a few years ago by a small outfit and those seemed to have issues going out the door. Good to Har yours has done well! Maybe worth a second look.
Click to expand...

No worries my friend. You must do you; I understand.

I think you may be referring to the AV knock off called the MKII? It is not the AV-4500 as much as some would like to call it that primarily just based on the similar looks and frames. The AV is a whole lot more with the cooling coils for the output and such.

The AV-4500 and the Omega are the originals, which were initially introduced as 4500 psi compressors. Both of these compressors have withstood the test of time for many, including myself. Mine has right at 24 hours of runtime on it with most top-offs being around 20 minutes. I let mine continue to cool after a fill and use good oil, which I change every 6-hours of runtime. It may die on the next fill, but still fills as fast as day one so far in 3.3 years.

With that much money on the line, they are all a high-risk commitment, IMHO.

If mine died soon, I do not know of any others in the same price range to go with, so probably another AV-4500 for me. I know how good they are. Plus, there is support and parts I can get from PA, which has been for the whole time I have had mine, which kind of says a lot, too.
 
Upvote 0
I have 2 Chinese cheapos. My first was a Davv (or Davy). The basic version without the auto shut off. Got it on Ebay for $290 shipped (seller is gone now). I used ROyal Purple in it and have over 20 hours on it. Used just to fill guns direct. It runs hot (50 to 60 deg C) even with ice water, but fill times for my guns are less than 2 mins. I moved this over to my Dads house for the times I shoot over there (he also has a PCP but only shoots pests and has only filled his gun 3 times in a year). I got a YH from Amazon to test on a Vine review program. All I paid was the tax on the $325 bill. This is the 4500 auto shut off version. Again Royal Purple for the oil. Just used to fill the guns (a Hatsan AT44, Benjamin Wildfire and a Crosman 1701). Again fills are less than 2 mins. This unit runs COLD! I have never gotten it to go above 40 deg C. I do not like the auto shut off because I don't like to stop a compressor while pressurized like the shut off does. I fill to pressure and open the bleed valve and let the compressor run un-pressurized for a minute (help bleed out an moisture collected). I only have about 2 hours on the YH but so far it has been rock solid. I real humid conditions I add a secondary online moisture filter, but really it is pointless as I never get any moisture past the first online filter insert. I had my Hatsan tanks (I have 2 for my gun as I had a bad gun that had to be returned and the seller insisted I keep the tank as it violated shipping regs- go figure as both guns were sent to me with fully pressurized tanks!) open this summer to install regulators and neither tanks had a drop of moisture in them (they have been shot pretty frequently for 4 years now). I live in WNY and we don't have real high humidity in the summer but when I pull apart the online filters (I open them up after every days shooting) there is water in the cotton cartridge at the compressor end. I do oil changes about every 2 hours of use or so. I always start the water pump first and let it run until the them has come back down to room temp (over ever night is I forget lol). I would not trust the Davv to fill a scuba tank as I'm sure it would burn up if left running more than 5 minutes while under a load (unloaded the temp levels off at 45 to 48 deg C). The YH with periodic rests (probably every 10 mins) should handle a tank.
 
Upvote 0
FECF14DF-2D99-4AAC-8D32-C8089271BA0D.1608239581.jpeg
This little set up works good for me. Under 6 mos old yet but so far so good. Into the whole thing for about $600
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu