Apeks flow rate

[buddhasummer]

I asked Apeks what the flow rate was on their FSR and they replied 2057 l/min which converts to around 72 SCFM. Is this correct seems very low when compared to SP Mk25 @ 300 SCFM. If these numbers mean anything(?) then it looks like the Apeks delivers air like cement? Thanks in advance.

 

[skankpile]

so the MK25 can blow ~8500l/min...

If I take my zeagle flathead 2nd stage off and blow out my garage (zeagle turns icy white by the way) with the hose is takes a minute or so to drain a tank by just cracking a DR valve and you are telling me the mk25 can empty it in about 10-15 sec... I think you'd need a ball valve on the cylinder to get 8500l/min coming out of the tank... seems kinda pointless.

If you can breathe down an AL80 in < 1 min at 72scfm thats a little better than a slow flow. And for high flow its hard to beat a Poseidon... when they free flow underwater it has a nice violent low buffeting sound... never heard that from any other regulator.

 

[buddhasummer]

To be honest Im not entirely sure what it means in real world application, Ive just read 300 SCFM on the Mk 25, 225 SCFM on the MK17. Ive also seen it posted that 110 SCFM is good and 150 SCFM is great. I know that 300 SCFM is pointless as the flow is ultimately limited by the 2nd stage. It just seemed to me that a flow rate of 72 SCFM by comparison looked very low. If someone can explain what it actually means in the real world Id be grateful. Cheers.

 

[Tortuga68]

You'd describe emptying a full AL80 in less than 60 seconds as delivering "air like cement"?

 

[buddhasummer]

as I posted above, Im not sure what it means hence my question, it just looked like in comparison the Apeks is very low, I dont know what this means other than it looks low? For all I know it makes absolutely no difference to actual breathing. Im just trying to get my head around it.

 

[buddhasummer]

Sorry if Im not being clear. If a light is 5000lux and another light is 20000lux side by side the 20000lux light will be brighter. So can the same comparison be made when comparing SCFM or is it not as simple as that. Using my perhaps funny logic I would have thought based on the different SCFMs then a higher flow rate would equal better breathing?

 

[Tortuga68]

Think about the information you've been given above... an 11 litre tank (AL80) at 200bar will contain 2200 litres

Average lung capacity is ~6 litres

 

[buddhasummer]

So as long as the flow rate is great than lung capacity the flow rate has no real bearing on ease of breathing?

 

[buddhasummer]

would a higher flow rate not get the air to you quicker? =easier breathing?

 

[ianr33]

would a higher flow rate not get the air to you quicker? =easier breathing?

Only if you start breathing at 70 SCFM

The flowrate on the APEKS is more than enough for any real world situation. What's the highest flow rate you will ever need? Stressed at 300 feet maybe 10SCFM?

Bigger numbers are just marketing. I would argue that a larger flow rate is actually more dangerous as in the event of a freeflow/burst hose/blown O ring the tank will empty more quickly.