New or second hand compressor

[Jmajvig]

I am looking at buying new compressors for my dive center and I am not sure what brand to buy.

the dive center I have is running about 150 - 300 tanks a day.

i am split between BAUER or COLTRI SUB. I am leaning towards BAUER purely because the work load they have to deal with.

i do not need recommendations on what size compressor I need more in terms of what brand I should go with and find out good and bands about the 2 brands.

hope you can help me and happy diving to all of you

 

[superfisch]

I would prefer a Bauer compressor - these are working and working and....
Concerning Coltri I know that they are working not so bad, but concerning overall lifetime they are worse than Bauer. It´s a kind of calculus - better spending more money for Bauer and using it some more time or using a cheaper Coltri with lower lifetime.
Did you think on using two or three smaller compressors instead of buying one big machine? If there´s something wrong with one machine the other will still be running? I do not know your local circumstances but if you are using 200 tanks a day how much time (in hours) do you really have to refill them?

 

[tomfcrist]

My buddy Jorge used to work for Bauer, traveling around installing compressors and cascade systems for dive centers. 20 years later he still endorses their products. They make solid gear.

 

[DCBC]

For me, BAUER is the only choice (unless you're up for a Nuvair/Quincy). Coltri is a good company, but it's hard to beat BAUER service and support.

Selection of a compressor system is dependent upon your particular preference, air storage capacity, pressure/drive/output requirements and other factors. Budget can always be a major consideration. As my background is in the commercial diving industry; locations tend to be isolated. Compressor systems have to be dependable, so I'm big on closed-loop water cooled diesel drives like the O-13, O-25, or O-26. I had an O-13 with a 7.5 KW motor in a dive shop that worked great for years (along with some other compressors that didn't). If you maintain it properly, you shouldn't have to worry about break-downs.

 

[ti325v]

Any machine is gonna break...
What is the predominant compressor where you are?
When it breaks who has the parts and how long will they take to get.
Also can you fix it ? Or who will.
The dive shop standard here is the Cotri /16... Stupid simple to fix.
They are often run here for 6 or more years with heavy use between rebuilds.
200-300 a tanks a day...You must have the money to buy new.
My first compressor was a /16 and I am currently buying a Bauer...But I have the back up of the Coltri, ( Never gonna sell it) parts can be had in a day or two..the Bauer, could be weeks.
No mistake the Coltri is great...but there is something about the inherent balance of a four stage x compressor that really appeals to me.
Buy new, buy what ever you can get parts for, the beautiful Bauer is not gonna look so pretty if you cannot get parts.
If I did not have the back ups...my first choice was and is Coltri, simple geography.

 

[rcontrera]

No mistake the Coltri is great...but there is something about the inherent balance of a four stage x compressor that really appeals to me.

Just a note ... there are two different Coltri machines that ARE four stage ... the MCH30 and the MCH36.

 

[ti325v]

Hey Ray..spot on, I have never seen them..beautiful looking as well...and with the capacity the o.p. needs probably fine choices for his operation.

 

[markhutchins]

I have a Mako M-3103-5 fill station that is for sale. It is in good shape. I am located in Houston. weighs 2500 lbs (a lot of steel) can keep people safe during high pressure fills. It is listed on ebay 07-07-13