Compressor for Potential Dive Shop

[surfbummer]

I'm researching and am in the process of writing a proforma on a potential dive shop startup and am trying to key in on "real" costs of purchase and installation of compressors, so that I can line up funding if I decide to "pull the trigger". In a nutshell, I have no preconceived notions of what I would want, with the exception that I want something that will eventually handle a large cylinder volume of both air and nitrox fills (nitrox in the 32-36% range) in a retail shop setting once I get past the startup phase.

I dont have a fortune, but I don't want to go the cheapest route where my ongoing expenses of maintaining the system will kill me.

Here's my questions:

1. For those of you that have (or have had) your own shop, what systems would you recommend that will allow me to provide both air an nitrox service?

2. What costs (both equipment and installation) can I expect to budget for the system you recommend?

3. What kind of ongoing expenses can I expect to maintain this system?

Any input anyone could give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[NC_WDiver]

I know someone who can answere any compressor question you may have. His name is Robert Outlaw. He is one of the best around and has been in the dive industries for more than 30 years. He also sell new and used compressors thru BLUE STONE DIVE RESORT in Thomasville, NC. You can reach him at 336-474-0674 9am-6pm EST

Gerald

 

[surfbummer]

I know someone who can answere any compressor question you may have. His name is Robert Outlaw. He is one of the best around and has been in the dive industries for more than 30 years. He also sell new and used compressors thru BLUE STONE DIVE RESORT in Thomasville, NC. You can reach him at 336-474-0674 9am-6pm EST

Gerald

Gerald: Thanks for the information; I'll definately look him up.

Tim

 

[Scuba Duck]

Call Brian Benton at 808-922-DIVE.

He owns Dive Oahu, in Hawaii, fills between 100-200 tanks a day. He also is a rep for Hypress Compressors. He would love to give you the skinny on what makes a good fill system and could provide you a quote on compressors and bank bottles. Keep in mind that your ability to fill tanks in succession is less related to the size of your compressor, and more related to the size of your cascade system. Basically, your money is better spent on a smaller compressor with more bank bottles.

 

[aquaticmatt]

I know someone who can answere any compressor question you may have. His name is Robert Outlaw. He is one of the best around and has been in the dive industries for more than 30 years. He also sell new and used compressors thru BLUE STONE DIVE RESORT in Thomasville, NC. You can reach him at 336-474-0674 9am-6pm EST

Gerald

I would also suggest getting in touch with Bob Outlaw. Been in the business for over 40 years. He used to work for Ingersol-Rand as well. Great guy and will shoot you straight.

 

[Dive Right In Scuba]

My advice....get a compressor setup as one of your first things....if you cant fill air tanks, people wont start coming to your shop...we just opened about a year ago, so I know what your trying to do.....when we first opened, alot of our repeat business and how word started spreading, was just from air fills....not gonna get rich on it, but will give you traffic to start making money on other things, so I wouldnt wait till phase 2 to get one.......


We actually have a spare Mako compressor in back, 3phase with 4 stage bottles, and explosion proof fill station for sale.....would be big enough to do air and nitrox if you just build a stick.......

 

[surfbummer]

All:

Thanks so much for your input. These contacts certainly sound like strong ones that will at least get me a budget number. This is one capital item that I don't want to skimp on, but at the same time I don't want to spend money unnecessarily either.

Again, Thanks to all that responded - I knew I could count on the good folks on this forum.

Tim

 

[surfbummer]

My advice....get a compressor setup as one of your first things....if you cant fill air tanks, people wont start coming to your shop...we just opened about a year ago, so I know what your trying to do.....when we first opened, alot of our repeat business and how word started spreading, was just from air fills....not gonna get rich on it, but will give you traffic to start making money on other things, so I wouldnt wait till phase 2 to get one.......


We actually have a spare Mako compressor in back, 3phase with 4 stage bottles, and explosion proof fill station for sale.....would be big enough to do air and nitrox if you just build a stick.......

Mike: thanks so much for the feedback and for sharing your experinces. Lining up a solid compressor on the front end is exactly what I anticipated would be a benefit. I may be interested in your compressor, but my purchase timeline is a little down the road (projecting about 8-9 months out if my proforma looks good). If you would PM me with your asking price, that would be great. It may not be available when I get the "green light" to purchase, though.

Thanks again,
Tim

 

[rcontrera]

Figuring the right compressor for your uses is tough without knowing what your business plan is. If you are water side and plan on filling 100 or more tanks per day, then that will be a whole lot bigger compressor than one for a shop that pumps only 100 cylinders per week.

And, as far as Nitrox goes, you will have to decide on how much training you will require of your operators. For running a stick, you will require someone that pays attention ans knows what they are doing. Or you will have to invest a little more money in a system that automatically monitors the mixing. Or ... just invest in the membrane system that does not rely on mixing.

Next, you will need to let us know what power you have available. Three phase if the power of choice for operating compressors. However, some strip malls or stand alone locations may only have single phase available. That will increase the cost of your compressor equipment and limit the size available.

For example, the MCH16, our most popular cabinet model compressor, in single phase runs $9765 but only $9165 in single phase. Our LP280 Nitrox Factory runs $14,040 in three phase and $15,090 in single phase.

Maintaining a system is the cheapest and best thing you can do for your compressor. Regular filter and oil changes will give you long life for the machinery and good quality air. Inlet filters run about $25 and you need to replace them every 6 months to a year depending on the cleanliness of your operating area. Outlet filters are anywhere from $30 to 100 and need to be changed regularly depending on the capacity of your filter system. One of my customers that runs the MCH16 changes her filters at about 8000 cubic feet and that is about $50 per change for triplex filters and less for drier alone. Oil changes are cheap compared to the cost of compressor repairs. That same compressor uses about $25 per oil change.

I think that the average store that pumps Nitrox budgets about $25,000 for a top of the line system installation and another $1000 per year for maintenance and upkeep. Of course, it can be done cheaper, but why not base your budget planning on the high end?

Hope that helped!