Buying a compressor

[Wahoo_wah]

Friends:

I shall be adding a compressor to a boat I'm having built. I shall be having it installed in the aft lazerette...as I will have 2 gens on board and don't want to worry about gas fumes in the laz, I am thinking of going w/ an electric one...

Any comments or suggestions?

Wahoo wah!

 

[Rogier]

Rule number one is to have ample of ventilation for the compressor cooling!!!!
Most compressors are air cooled so you need ample of draft through the aft to keep the compressor cool. Might want to considder a forced ventilation with a decent size fan.

If you have plenty of electricity on board go for electric. One thing less to worry about...

In case your boat has ample of Hydrolic power you might want to considder to drive the compressor with a hydrolic motor.

Choose a compressor running less than 900 rpm. Most small compressors run high rpm's witch is not only very noisy but way more prune to trouble.

 

[rjack321]

Consider a marinized unit with SS.

Do not install any compressor where 1) fumes or vapors could get to the intake, 2) where its not level, or 3) where air flow is restricted

The aft lazarette sounds like a very poor installation choice for FL. You will...

go through filters like crazy from the heat,
potentially generate CO from overheating the oil,
and potentially entrain fuel, propane, or other VOC vapors in the cabinet/bilge

Put it in a cabinet where you can open 3 sides to the breeze and keep it as cool as possible.

 

[rcontrera]

Friends:

I shall be adding a compressor to a boat I'm having built. I shall be having it installed in the aft lazerette...as I will have 2 gens on board and don't want to worry about gas fumes in the laz, I am thinking of going w/ an electric one...

Any comments or suggestions?

Wahoo wah!

You will need a minimum of 7KW in your power plant to run a small compressor as they draw anywhere from about 25 to 35 amps. If you have the power, go for it!

 

[pescador775]

I'm not too familiar with blowboats. I assume you are talking sail.
If you can solve the power and space problem then ventilation is the remaining issue. Can you run forced ventilation to the locker without risk of water coming in? Don't worry too much about theoreticals, concentrate on practical measures to make the installation work.

 

[Wahoo_wah]

Thanks guys..all good info.

Pescador:


Nope, not a sailboat but a Nordhavn which I shall be doing a circumnavigation beginning sometime in 2008. So, the compressor should be getting a great deal of use. I will have both a 16 kw and a 12 kw gennys' on board..so power shouldn't be an issue, ventilation is something I'll check into. What I do know is that other boats have had them installed in the lazerette.

If you all can think of others issues I should consider just let me know.

Wahoo!

 

[Rogier]

Wahoo!

 

[Rogier]

Wahoo!

If you are indeed planning to use the compressor a lot please make sure to stay clear of small portable compressors. I know it might be tempting to get one, but I am affeight that you want have much fun from it. Not only the long periods of noise to fill a couple of tanks but foremost the fact that these small compressors (high RPM's!) are prone to trouble.

Check out the L&W site. This German company makes exellent compressors that are not only very reliable but also very easy to maintain. Something to considder when you are out at sea. Follow this link to find a model that might fit your needs:

http://www.lenhardt-wagner.de/en/englisch.htm

Regarding installation:
Use a long hose (max 10ft min 2" diameter!!!) to obtain clean fresh air for your airfills.

Ensure that you have ample of ventilation to cool the aircooled compressor. There should be a staddy draft going though that room when in operation. The back and font side of the compressor should have ample of space to thet the cooling air go through.

You can not fill tanks while the boat is moving!

Hook up an external fill pannel for 2 or 4 tanks (single hose filling will cause unwanted stops and starts).

If possible create an additional cooling for the compressed air before it enters the final seperator. You might want to use the ocean water to create a heat exchanger. Doing so will prolong your filer life significantly! A specailly since you will be using it in a hot and/or humid climate.

Smiles across the wires,

Rogier

 

[Rogier]

Wahoo!

Sinds je in Belgie woont kun je zeker de moeite nemen om met L&W contact op te nemen!

 

[pescador775]

Wahoo, there is that outfit in Ft. Lauderdale. Somebody mentioned it, I think. They are reputable and well known for yacht installations. Brownies Third Lung is an old standby, also in Florida. A 5 cfm Capitano will be plenty large for up to 10 divers as multiple tanks can be filled during down times underway or whatever. No need to say, if you decide to install a high pressure DOT air cylinder (or two) they must be blocked and chained, through bolted. You will need to have the breaker and buss or plug professonally thought out as soon as possible and this hangs on the motor choice and electrical hardware for the compressor. If possible, avoid a long snorkel or hose for the compressor--resistance can create a drag on the machine. Six feet is OK but is probably not necessary if ventilated. The Bauer can run with 15 deg inclinations but check for diesel fumes underway. On a slick sea, while underway, jam those tanks. Bauer is known and serviced in places even you may not have heard of. That could come in handy for routine items like oil, filters, a sticky drain valve or some such thing.