Looking for a compressor in NC

[Killer&Griller]

Just moved to Southport, NC and after getting 2 quotes from the only 2 guys that I have found in a 20 mile radius from my house on fills, thought I would start looking for a used compressor. Not to say that I am ungrateful for their offer, but for 32% at $16 and $20 per fill, well, lets just say I have enough trouble swallowing the boat fuel bill, I am not looking to blow anther $60 every time we dive 3 tanks. usually every other weekend.

Before I get crushed on not knowing what the heck I want in specific and reading alot of threads on here, this is what I have narrowed it down to.

Would prefer a electric motor but would convert a gas.

Probably will be filling 150 tanks a yr max or less. (sure a few buddies will want to start getting an occasional fill)

Nitrox will be the primary fills.

I would like to keep it in the 2k and under range.

Would like to have an auto drain system.

It doesn't need to be portable, have a shop to put it in and no close neighbors.

Don't believe that I want an old military one.

Tank fills won't be higher than 3500 - 3700.

Slow fills are ok as long as a tank isn't going to take more than about 45min to an hour each.

Would like to be able to fill 2 tanks at a time but I can't no big deal.

Now after reading this, let me know if I am asking for the impossible or not. The purpose for this is just to get the word out that Iam looking in the event anyone comes across a good deal on one.

I am mechanically inclined and can usually be walked thru just about anything.

Have a local buddy that fills his own and has offered to assist in setup.

Would like opinions on brands to stay away from along with which ones to look for.

I am not in a huge rush, but would like to find something this season

Bird dog could be a diving trip if you come to the area with free tank fills.

P.S. If you speardive, I have spots that will knock your socks off.

 

[Meister481]

You might get lucky and get a super cheap compressor for 1k, but the other stuff you will need to blend up the nitrox will make it tough to do for less than 3k.

I have a Bauer Junior II that sounds like the ticket as far as specs go, but it alone was almost all your budget. Almost all auto drain models are around 3k. You will need to buy/make a mixing stick if you want to continuous blend, and you will need to purchase an O2 bottle and regulator to supply O2 to the mixing stick. You will need an O2 analyzer if you don't have one.

Upkeep costs are something you need to think about. Oil changes, filter changes, O2 fills and electricity. I've found it's not difficult at all to manually drain my compressor, so that can save you some money.

I bought my compressor from a paint ball business that went under and this was their backup system, so it was rarely used and still had the original filter in it! I watched Ebay for about 6 months before I found mine, so don't get in a hurry and you might get lucky.

I get free air because I DM at a shop, but there's nothing like knowing you don't have to worry about when the shop closes, or hurrying to a shop when you're tired from diving all day.

Beware filling tanks for others, you have direct liability for the air/mix you pump.

Edited for grammer....

 

[herman]

Welcome to the board and my back yard....I own a house on Oak Island...we need to get together and dive/fish some.
There is a "dive" shop on the island....it's never open, you have to call for someone to come down but they may do air fills. In the long run, I suspect it would be cheaper just to get a bunch of tanks and keep them filled by a shop in Wilmington. You could buy quite a few tanks for the several thousand dollars a compressor will end up costing.

 

[Killer&Griller]

Meister481 -- OK, didn't realize the auto drain bumped the price that much. What price range do you think I should be selling myself on. I want the flexibility to have my own filling station, the question is what is the right one. As for used verses new, do you think I should consider biting the bullet and getting a new one? I don't see a huge spread between the two. I am not in a hurry, don't mind waiting if I have too. Bauer seems to be the big boy in the industry. I see alot of gas units new for sale in the 3k range. Maybe I just buy one of them and change the motor. What in specific do I need to be looking at when considering a compressor? I would think cfm, psi, the obvious. What about motor things like casing, horizonal vs vertical engine, oil type and flow, etc. I just don't want to waste the money on a bad buy. Thanks for the info.

herman --- PM sent

 

[Killer&Griller]

I have done alot of surfing about the subject in the last 2 days. Am I understanding it correctly that after buying a compressor, I will have to invest another 2K in setting it up for Nitrox or is that just the going rate for kits from companies like Aire Tex? Sorry for all the "beginner" questions.

 

[herman]

Another potential problem is power. Many compressors require 3 phase power, something almost no homes have or require a large 220V service. Make sure your service is up to the job otherwise you are in for another big cost.

PM returned

 

[Hoosier]

I bought my compressor from a paint ball business that went under and this was their backup system, so it was rarely used and still had the original filter in it! I watched Ebay for about 6 months before I found mine, so don't get in a hurry and you might get lucky.

.

It is a typical darn lucky case and dream. I am not sure how many people can catch this dream....... The cheapest auto drain included option is about $4K nowadays.....

My opinion is if you can get a darn lucky one like him, go ahead. Otherwise, you had better get the new one without getting through all hassles...

 

[Killer&Griller]

In talking with 2 buddies that have don't have auto drain and they told me that it isn't an issue. Just keep it serviced like you are supposed too. The 2K mentioned above would be the compressor price, not total package. I have a line on the Nitrox setup. thanks

 

[Hoosier]

In talking with 2 buddies that have don't have auto drain and they told me that it isn't an issue. Just keep it serviced like you are supposed too. The 2K mentioned above would be the compressor price, not total package. I have a line on the Nitrox setup. thanks

AD is another convenient factor, but a "must have" item. However, if you plan to have a cascade in near future, you will regret it soon. Again, it is about time and convenience..... Nobody doesn't want to drain every 15 min. for 8 hrs banking...

Just my 2 bar...

 

[Meister481]

In your original post you talked about getting started for 2k, you can find compressors all over that fit your needs. They are not compressors you can base a large system on, but they fill tanks just fine, which is what you want to do. You can buy a compressor that fits your needs today and sell it later for a profit if you get a good deal like I did. It's an investment, so treat it like one.