Why are people buying the RIX compressor?
Easy. Availability Reliability and Maintainability.
The SA-6 model which I think is the specific model your wishing to discuss were originally designed and built for the US Government under a DOD contract for the US Navy SEAL teams and were known as a Portable "Jamming Compressor" 5.5 scfm at 3000 PSI
As such the design requirement at the time was for a high pressure compressor to fill US Navy twin Aluminium 3000 psi cylinders with no additional or chemical filter filtration using the minimum tools for ease of field service and with no special tools allowed for internal items such as valve removal. Rugged portable two man liftable and able to operate on a 40 degree incline or on a rolling deck under both pitch and roll. The original gas (petrol) engines were modified by removing the small 5 litre steel fuel tank and fitting a large outboard motor type 5 gallon fuel tank with a fuel lift pump and outboard motor type stab lock connections and priming bulb. This was to avoid the risks of refilling the original bolted on 5 litre petrol tank while hot or in rough seas.
As a military design is out performs any of the brands you mentioned earlier and on any specific subject or component you wish to ask about. This is the Model SA-6
Later it was made available to scuba divers as the Model SA-6 same spec same design and conversely the same extensive component control and testing hence the higher price.
I understand that it is oilless and does not contaminate the air, and it has its application in the laboratory, industrial and environmental science sectors. But Scuba? Filling tanks with it? My question is, why? It is not high CFM, and it is also high maintenance.
The original prime design was for a US Navy SEAL team application. The commercial laboratory science sectors came much later under a different designate and different model numbers.
I'm sure this unit isn't cheaper than any other oil-lubed compressor. So why not just buy a Bauer Oceanus or, even cheaper, an Alkin W31, Nardi or Coltri? Parts are available, and compressors are easy to purchase.
For the original SA-6 model agreed for the reasons given above it was still a military spec compressor.
but available to the public.
The other later non military variants however didn't have the same regime of DoD inspection and testing
and in context are cheaper than your Bauer Oceanus and about the same as the Coltri 8 CFM Model MCH 8
In addition a variant suitable for scuba would be fitted with a larger 200 hour chemical filter tower back pressure regulator visual purity indicator 10/20/30% relative humidity and twin (2) DIN 232 BAR charging connections and filling hose to SAE100 R8 non conductive hose with 316 stainless steel 1/4 BSPP connections. SS non return valve and stainless mechanical bleed. The other variants are specific to the various applications described above.
It is ,oil-free so it is going to be better on handling oxygen. But honestly, 32% through the compressor? Any oil-lubed compressor can do it. I'm not sure if Rix can pump 100% oxygen but even if it can, Haskel, Hydraulic International, USUN. They're all good. For those who prefer an electric booster, Masterline. Why are people dead set on RIX?
To be honest oil free is not just better on handling oxygen as you suggest with respect its essential.
Better air quality because of the oil-free? Any oil compressor with decent filtration gives you very good quality and you don't need anything better then that.
No chemical filter towers by their very nature fail and quickly your looking at what 12 hours on the Bauer P21 and around the same for the Coltri MCH6 forget to bleed the condensate towers on a single cycle and your screwed water condensate overwhelms the chemical and your carry over is a mixture of emulsified long chain hydrocarbons oils or synthetic diester and water.
By contrast a easy party trick with the oil free compressor design is to drain the condensate tower contents and drink it or feed it to the dog. if your shy you can pour it down the sink the toilet or you can water your wife's plants with it. Its pure clean distilled water.
Now try doing that with your Bauer or Coltri condensate drain.
I see people struggle with RIX every day here because it is more like a military and industrial-oriented company, and they don't care much about the scuba market. Like why not just buy something else??
Maybe its because your in Canada I cant answer for that.
But for everyone else? always Elk a banjo on the porch and ice hockey I guess.
