Newbie

[Jscubadive]

Hi, I recently saw what seems like a very good deal on a used air compressor. I was wanting to get this but this particular ad also said would fill a scuba tank in 1 3/4 hours to 2500 psi but is not grade E air. Is Grade E air the only grade usable in scuba or a minimum requirement? I am assuming that is why the price was so low on this. Can added filtration be added to bring this up to E levels? Also is a Grade D higher or lower then E?

 

[pescador775]

D is lower, basically OK for fire depts, etc although their association did lead the way to higher grades in their SOP. Grade E is a minimum standard for Scuba. Due to the multiplying effect of certain gases when used under pressure there has been some talk that, at least, the CO margin should be improved. I don't pay much attention to that stuff. For years, I used air from an old compressor which had a small charcoal cartridge as a final filter and the air was fine for me but not my steel tanks. I've lived a long time and breathed a lot of air from that machine. Heck, one of my cigars has more pollution than a 1000 tanks filled from the old Bauer. Today, my equipment includes a "triplex" type final filter with Vaporshell 13X, hopcalite and charcoal. My tanks look ever so much better. I haven't noticed any difference as a result, in my breathing or my cigars.