Question for Alkin W31 owners

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Terryb00

Terryb00

Member
Jan 14, 2016
865
230
MI, United States
Hey Alkin owners,
I'm contemplating the jump on buying one, and factoring in all associated costs.
My two scuba tanks both have micro-bore fill hoses.
Do I need to get DIN or CGA-346 fill adaptors for my tanks? And then a male foster hose attachment to fill my guns?
I ask, because after reading the 22? page Alkin thread, I saw a lot of poo pooing on filling your tanks with a micro-bore hose, because of the Alkin's high fill pressure.

Thanks,
Terry

20240529_192254.jpg


20240529_192307.jpg
 
Last edited:
You can order the Alkin with any connector setup you'd like. FosterQD, DIN300, CGA347. All my tank valves either use a QD or have an adapter to QD. My Alkin has a QD on it so I just connect the Alkin fill tube direct to the QD on the tank.

I would think you could get the Alkin with the Din connector and then just remove you micro-bore when you fill. Or you could get the Alkin with a QD and then use a QD-QD adapter to connecto the micro-bore. Assuming you are using a micro-bore with a rating well over 300 bar I'm not sure I see where the problem would be.

Now - if it were me I would just get QD adapters for your fill valves and then just use a regular QD fill hose for your guns and get the Alkin with a QD as well.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jayson
Upvote 0
+1 on the DIN300 male adapter for your Alkin fill hose. I prefer the solid connection of the male DIN to the DIN300 female on your tank valve. Remove the hose and DIN300 male that is part of your tank's fill hose assembly to use the fill hose.

One of my tanks has an Omega HP3 valve which fills via a male Foster fitting. I've filled it several times using a microbore hose connected to the tank hose and the fill time is identical with no change in the sound from the compressor. IMO, a microbore hose doesn't cause a compressor to labor due to restricted air flow. Tank check valves restrict air flow more than microbore hoses yet that isn't a problem for a compressor. It might be an issue for an industrial quality compressor filling a 10CFM+ but not on any 4.2CFM or slower filling compressors like air gunners own.

Sometimes individuals over think things. 15 minute warmup runs, 15minute cool down runs after a fill, 30 minute runs every two weeks during idle periods, 3 oil changes a year, etc. might make an owner feel good but really is unnecessary. It's a waste of electricity, expensive oil, and a waste of time. Think about it. The reason an owner buys a high end compressor is to get fast fills, save time, and expense from traveling to a refill source. Adding time for excessive maintenance rituals negates the advantages of owning a high end compressor.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Ezana4CE, Scotty1 and Terryb00
Upvote 0
Humdinger said:
+1 on the DIN300 male adapter for your Alkin fill hose. I prefer the solid connection of the male DIN to the DIN300 female on your tank valve. Remove the hose and DIN300 male that is part of your tank's fill hose assembly to use the fill hose.

One of my tanks has an Omega HP3 valve which fills via a male Foster fitting. I've filled it several times using a microbore hose connected to the tank hose and the fill time is identical with no change in the sound from the compressor. IMO, a microbore hose doesn't cause a compressor to labor due to restricted air flow. Tank check valves restrict air flow more than microbore hoses yet that isn't a problem for a compressor. It might be an issue for an industrial quality compressor filling a 10CFM+ but not on any 4.2CFM or slower filling compressors like air gunners own.

Sometimes individuals over think things. 15 minute warmup runs, 15minute cool down runs after a fill, 30 minute runs every two weeks during idle periods, 3 oil changes a year, etc. might make an owner feel good but really is unnecessary. It's a waste of electricity, expensive oil, and a waste of time. Think about it. The reason an owner buys a high end compressor is to get fast fills, save time, and expense from traveling to a refill source. Adding time for excessive maintenance rituals negates the advantages of owning a high end compressor.
Click to expand...
My warmup consists of turning it on with bleeders open for maybe 10 seconds or so to splash some oil before before filling. My cool down is run with bleeders open until no droplets or vapor is seen from said bleeders, then turn off, let it cool and cover.
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu