Hatsan Spark... yea or nay?

[khrome13]

How is the spark working for everyone?

 

[edosan]

Got it for 1 month, so far I like it, only for direct ag fill, until now yea 

 

[vdwb]

I don’t have an actual Spark, I do have the clone from Alibaba.com and it is working excellent. Just don’t over work it or overheat it and you should be fine. A heads up, these are rated to deliver 4500 psi but will live much longer if you stop at 3000 psi. I did replace the mpa gauge with one in psi and replaced the thermometer with one that reads in degrees F. The cost was less than $15.00 for the gauge and thermometer. The new thermometer is 12v hard wired and is lighted. Easy to wire in. I pulled the blue plastic off of the power supply for added heat dissipation, that’s why it is not blue colored. Salvaged the nomenclature sticker and reapplied. Great little unit for those on a budget but are tired of hand pumping. The answer is yea on this unit.

Dennis

 

[khrome13]

What do you have invested in the Alibaba version?

 

[Butch]

Had mine for over a month and use it about 5-7 times a week to fill a couple of guns. It has been working great. 

 

[vdwb]

Khrome 13,

I have under $300.00 invested with the upgrades but I see they can be had for $ 180.00 + $45.00. (shipping) + approx $ 9.00 in exchange fees from a different supplier at Alibaba.com. I didn’t look hard enough and pulled the trigger too soon. My actual price was $216.00 + $ 51.00 (shipping) + $ 9.00 (exchange fees) + $15.00 (upgrades). Amazon has them for $319.00 shipped and in stock.

Dennis

 

[khrome13]

Must not be many of these in use yet.

 

[lenweber2]

My Alibaba was $264 to the door. Working good.

 

[vdwb]

Khrome13,

The only difference I see with the Alibaba.com clone and the spark is the spark has a black thermometer that reads deg.F and all the stickers. The spark doesn’t include the power supply which cost extra. It’s definitely the most basic 12 volt pcp compressor with only a switch for the fans and a switch for the compressor. No current draw meter or time delays or lock outs and no auto stop.

Dennis

 

[vdwb]

lenweber2,

You got a good deal. Let’s hope these hold up better than the more expensive, feature filled 12 volt pcp compressors. These are the least expensive direct fill compressors on the market from anyone. ALL are Chinese.

Dennis

 

[Bravo1956]

I have used my Spark probably 50 to 100 times, no issues, so much nicer than hand pump. Even fill a 4500 psi paintball tank, did it in 3 steps.

 

[vdwb]

After a month of trouble free use stopping at 3000 psi I decided to try 4500 psi fills to my 500 and 580 cc bottle guns. This little compressor didn't skip a beat and charges to 4500 psi in less than 15 minutes from 0 psi and end of fill temp was 173 deg. F. I wouldn't push it with a big CF bottle but it direct fills to 4500 psi without an issue. Knock on wood.

Dennis

 

[Bigragu]

So far out all these portable 12v compressors these hatsan sparks and the Benjamin travelers have had no issues. I’m going by forum members input, of course.

 

[Butch]

Mine is still going like a champ with no problems. 

 

[privateer19]

Just ordered one form Alibaba will let you know how it works once received. Tried to order the Hatsan from a couple of different folks and it was 4 - 7 weeks out. This is a lot less and will be here in 2 weeks. They also have tanks for sale for less than half of what you see here.

 

[radz25]

I've had one since December, I run fills through an omega air filter instead of direct:

adds about 2 minutes to all my fill times. I've been running it this way mostly in an air conditioned house, about 1-2 times a week, with one pesting trip running it off a car battery for around 5 fills in humid 90 degree weather. So far no issues, although temps did get around 180F in the hot weather.

 

[vdwb]

Definitely worth investing in additional filtering for the Spark, Traveler and clones. They do condense water and the foam filters need to be regularly dried out. I use one with desiccant beads too. 

privateer 19,

I think you are going to like your purchase and you saved hundreds over the one with the brand stickers on it. Other than the stickers and the temp gauge in degrees F it is identical.

 

[privateer19]

i hope you're right, thanks.

 

[BrokeWinger]

Hey VDWB,

I know this is kind of an old thread, but any chance you could provide links to the thermometer and pressure gauge you used? Went to use my Spark for the first time and thermometer doesn't work. I've actually had it a few months now but hadn't had time to do any shooting due to my work schedule. I know opening it up is likely to void the warranty but I don't want to have to send it to Hatsan to get it replaced. I'm only direct filling air tubes for a Hatsan Bullboss so I don't think run time temps are gonna be an issue, but I'd rather know everything is as it should be. And I really like the fact that the thermometer you used is lit. Do my filling in the basement with less than perfect lighting. Thanks in advance for your reply.

 

[TEXAS]

Which pumps did yall buy from Alibaba?

They still running?

Back in pcp and no local air source.

TIA