Info Info on Compressor that can fill 100 tanks per day for Dive Resort with 4 HP whips : Cascade HP Bottles-Location Bahamas

[Max Offshore]

I'm looking to set up a Major compressor for a Dive Operation in the Bahamas near Nassau. I have used Bauer and Coltri Sub in the past while running a dive shop in Thailand in 2004--they all would break down over time as not for 30 plus divers daily without rebuilding every few months.

I have worked on the commercial side before and have 5-7 HP Bottles made for storing HP Air that are set up in a cascade system. I need a proper compressor for filling these bottles and understand the power conditions in the Bahamas is not always at 120 V at 60 HZ--will have surge protectors or a step down transformer from 480V--Industrial Plug is not a problem. Having the system in a cool dry area with great ventilation with easy access from the dive shop--even a built in cement tank for filling 4 bottles at once with HP whips from the cascade system of HP Bottles.--

What Industrial type compressor for filling these large Cascade Bottles.? I can get one out of Singapore built for offshore rig use- to fill tanks for Commercial Divers Bail Outs at a %%%$$$ Huge Price. Was looking to get one in USA as the new tariffs and regulations may leave a compressor in Customs. Any input would be optimal and thanks in advance.

 

[jadairiii]

Just call this guy.

Moondog Dive Outfitters – Yacht Specialist

moondogdive.com

 

[tbone1004]

anything that big will need to be 3-phase so as long as you have 480v 3-phase you're cooking with fire. Any of the big Bauers or Coltri's would be where I would start.
For easy math call it 7000cf per day, and you typically want to run about 3-4 hours per day if you can help it so you're in that 20-30hp range. With Coltri that's the 750ET and with Bauer the VEC26-E3. These are nominal 25cfm pumps and about the biggest you want for something like this. You're basically running 3 minutes for every AL80 you fill and are continuous duty rated.

Contact EP Compressors in Florida, they sell and maintain both of these brands for all of the commercial fill stations in Florida and may well have one of these 5000psi pumps that was released from a fire department with low hours that will save you a ton of money.

Home | EPcompressors

www.epcompressors.com

 

[Max Offshore]

Just call this guy.

Moondog Dive Outfitters – Yacht Specialist

moondogdive.com

Thanks for the great information. Will contact. Have a great weekend.

 

[Max Offshore]

anything that big will need to be 3-phase so as long as you have 480v 3-phase you're cooking with fire. Any of the big Bauers or Coltri's would be where I would start.
For easy math call it 7000cf per day, and you typically want to run about 3-4 hours per day if you can help it so you're in that 20-30hp range. With Coltri that's the 750ET and with Bauer the VEC26-E3. These are nominal 25cfm pumps and about the biggest you want for something like this. You're basically running 3 minutes for every AL80 you fill and are continuous duty rated.

Contact EP Compressors in Florida, they sell and maintain both of these brands for all of the commercial fill stations in Florida and may well have one of these 5000psi pumps that was released from a fire department with low hours that will save you a ton of money.

Home | EPcompressors

www.epcompressors.com

Mr. Speed, thanks for the superior engineering answer Thanks again for the contact information. Traveling today back from Dallas where I looked at a compressor that was sitting in a warehouse to long. Needs to be rebuilt as it sat for 5 years without being run or serviced. Coltri 750 ET and Bauer26-E3 are pricey but would last 5 years with stellar maintenance daily.

 

[BoltSnap]

Bauer and Coltri Sub

These two aren't in the same class in terms of quality/reliability. Bauer is superior to ColtriSub. We have used Bauer for commercial diving in the Oil and Gas sector, etc., and it has proven to be the most reliable compared with ColtriSub. Coltri is much cheaper, however.

 

[tbone1004]

Mr. Speed, thanks for the superior engineering answer Thanks again for the contact information. Traveling today back from Dallas where I looked at a compressor that was sitting in a warehouse to long. Needs to be rebuilt as it sat for 5 years without being run or serviced. Coltri 750 ET and Bauer26-E3 are pricey but would last 5 years with stellar maintenance daily.

More like 15-20 years, but yes they will last quite a long time if you take care of them. The Bauer is definitely superior and I think if you contact Ed he will be able to help you source a low hour retired unit from a Fire Department that is effectively new. There are a lot of them that have been retired in favor of the 6000psi pumps and those big ones don't have a big draw so you can often find them cheaper than a 10-15cfm pump which is a bit more manageable by the dive shops.

 

[iain/hsm]

What Industrial type compressor for filling these large Cascade Bottles

To compare an industrial rated breathing air /gas compressor with a 24/7 duty cycle at say a 5000 psi discharge pressure and filling a bank at say 40 SCFM flow continuous duty requires around a 30 BHP 22Kw Motor. And all you need to supply on site is the required amperage. Voltage Phase and Hz as follows
Motor 230/3/60 Draws 56 Amps
Motor 460/3/60 Draws 28 Amps
Motor 380/3/50 Draws 34 Amps
Now you could reduce that with say a 25BHP 18.5 Kw motor and use a EEF 3 high efficiency type together with a soft start.

Industrial 4 Stage compressor Block Oil Free nitrox 50%
Air cooled 500 RPM
Filter Life Expectancy (BS12021) 200 Hours Repack $15
Oil change at 5000 to 6000 hours * Standard Automotive $30 per 5L Multigrade car mineral oil
Siemans Soft Start with Phase Protection
All User Service Self Service Parts. The crankcase is the only lubricated part using a gearoter 50 psi oil pump and the oil is separated from the compressor upper cylinders by an oil seal assembly for each of the 4 stages and by a distance piece that separates the lower oily end from the upper oil free end. For gas above 50% and for pure oxygen compression or pure helium gas packings are used


By comparison of the two suggested previous for the Bauer and the Coltri Heavy Duty 750 suggested
Air Cooled 1420 RPM
Filter Life Expectancy (BS12021) 38 Hours $320.32
Oil change 1000 hours * Synthetic Diester $179.50 per 5L
DOL Direct on line with no phase protection

 

[benedittini]

You can also use JUNKER diesel water cooled compressors 120m3/h 250b and started by compressed air (used in german UBOAT) so you don't need electrical power. They are widely used in seismic petrol prospection.
They are sell by Stellamare in France but it's perhaps possible to find them in US?

 

[ofg-1]

I do not agree with the one big compressor approach. Try to find 2 - each in the 15-20 cfm range. If a compressor is going to die, it will be at the worse possible time. You can always run them both at the same time if you have the power and a couple of check valves.

I also don't recommend trying to be too creative with cheap oils or packing filters. Get something from a supplier that has liability insurance. You cack one tourist with bad air, and you will be forever paying for it. Even in the Bahamas. Test your air regularly.

EP had several Worthington 15cfm compressors a while back, they work well. Check govdeals.com you may find something there.