At what point does a compressor make sense?

[MustangSally]

Originally Posted by David Wallace

For a single diver there is no economic sense in owning a compressor - you cannot do enough dives in 10 years to pay for it. So you have to factor in all the other issues like availability etc.

Or you end up with all your mates getting fills from you - which becomes a real pain when they turn up just as your going out

And then you have to consider at what point do you become commercial and getting all picky about what you fill and consider insurance etc.


Cynical I know, but then..... I work in the industry and used to have a compressor at home just so I didnt have to go to the shop if I wanted air outside hours.

regards

I have a portable compressor and it means I can go anywhere and not bother about getting my cylinders filled. Last year I went with a Scottish dive club to an uninhabited island off the coast of Scotland and we all camped for a week and did a lot of diving. I had the most fun I have had in years and I had one of the two compressors that was there.

I find having my own compressor just so convenient and despite not getting any payback from using it, it's so much easier just dragging it out of the shed and filling my cylinders.

Sal

[stevechesh]

Just found this, to give an idea of running costs of a small portable unit:

Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site

[colinicky]

Well I am in the lucky position that I house the club compressor ,
but is it worth it on your own ? probably not unless your into an hour or two trip to the LDS then leaving cylinders for trimix fills & having to return another day to collect them .As a club we have changed filters every 50 hours run time which has been 3 times in 2 years . Ours is petrol & as Mark has said yes they drink it , it takes about 20minutes to fill a 12 lt from empty . If your thinking of nx or tx blending at home there is a training issue ,an insurance issue & also the rental of a J (about £68 + vat from air products ) unless you buy a J & find somewhere that can fill it for you .

HTH

[chrisch]

Originally Posted by stevechesh

Just found this, to give an idea of running costs of a small portable unit:...

The problem is that small portable units are not that good at filling tanks. What you need is a proper compressor.

I think a lot of people here have very different things in mind when they post up their views.

Chris

[Mark Chase]

Originally Posted by chrisch

The problem is that small portable units are not that good at filling tanks. What you need is a proper compressor.

I think a lot of people here have very different things in mind when they post up their views.

Chris

Ish. There is a portable compresor Pete just baught for £1800 new that kicks out 7CF. Thats not bad.


ATB

Mark

[colinicky]

Originally Posted by chrisch

The problem is that small portable units are not that good at filling tanks. What you need is a proper compressor.

I think a lot of people here have very different things in mind when they post up their views.

Chris

Funny thing is that the club compressor is a Bauer petrol of about 3.5 - 4 cfm & that does well enough for our club including "clean air " for nitrox fills & is very portable

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by stevechesh

Just found this, to give an idea of running costs of a small portable unit:

Michael McFadyen's Scuba Diving Web Site

Makes interesting reading......cheers steve.