Best portable compressor ? Advice ......

[calypsonick]

Dear SBers,

I am probably moving to Northern Haiti on a 3-5 year assignment and I am not sure what the dive shop scene is like there. So, I am seriously thinking of becoming self-sufficient in terms of tanks fills.

Can I get some advice on what is the best gas powered portable compressor on the market ??

Thanks much,
Nick

 

[rjack321]

Haiti eh? Good call on not trusting 3rd world compressors or filtration.

Personally I would get an Alkins. Mine's electric but runs a champ.
Airetex, High, Pressure, Breathing Air, Compressor, - Created by, ZenPages - Eagle, Mako, Max-Air / Coltri, Star compressor parts and filters, Hyperfilters, Continuous, blending, Nitrox, systems, Fire, Scuba, Paintball Industries, High pressure breat

The primary filtration is hand packable which will save you a ton over the long haul. I would add a second chamber using 13x,AC and hopcalite. You need a CO catalyst for gas power IMO.

My W31 runs fairly cool in the summer, supposedly due to the lower RPMs. It is a bit heavier than a compressor with AL block. But I'm hoping to avoid overhauls for a decade.

Dear SBers,

I am probably moving to Northern Haiti on a 3-5 year assignment and I am not sure what the dive shop scene is like there. So, I am seriously thinking of becoming self-sufficient in terms of tanks fills.

Can I get some advice on what is the best gas powered portable compressor on the market ??

Thanks much,
Nick

 

[Surface Tension]

I'm pretty happy with my Bauer Junior II. I hear a lot of good things about the Alkin too.

I'd go electric if at all possible. All you need is a 220V dryer outlet (or whatever they use in Haiti) and you're good to go. I know electricity could possibly be an issue down there though.

I'd also consider getting a larger filter chabmer too.

Haiti huh? I bet the diving is pretty awesome there.

Have fun!

Dave

 

[Isaac-1]

Personaly if money is no object, I say buy Bauer, german engineering, is gernman engineering. For a small portable gas powered the Jr. II-G if you are only filling a few tanks at a time (about 20 minutes to fill an AL 80), if you need something bigger that are gas powered they make those too, Oceanus or Capitano II or Mariner II are all good as they add capacity and bells and whistles. Bauer probably has the best worldwide parts availability (there are always local exceptions though). I have a 30 year old Bauer Purus that meets my simple needs, it has a slightly lower fill rate than the Jr. II and is a lot heavier, but the fact it is still running after 30 years with one rebuild 10 years ago (the first 22 years it was owned by a small fire deptartment). The fact that almost every part is still available for the Purus (a model that was discontinued in the early 1980's) says something about the company also.

Ike

 

[Eris Lucan7*]

I use a Coltri,for my 30-50 dives a year is he enuv.He never made any poblrms at all.

E.L.7*

 

[cobaltblue]

Bauer, not only are their compressors top of the line, their customer service is wonderful.

 

[underboats]

Our Bauer Junior II was bought at first just to fill a few tanks a day. Now it is filling about 10-12 80's every day. It runs almost non stop. I was going to buy a bigger compresor when it needed a re-build but now with almost 1500 hrs. in only 2 years it is still running fine. The Bauer filter is also easy and inexpensive to re-pack yourself. I always deal with Norfolk Bauer.