Air top offs?

[Scuttler]

This is in preparation for a rant but thought I'd gauge public opinion first.

I have a twinset that I used for a puddle bimble just before Christmas. I didn't use much gas and so have 170 bar in the cylinders.

Am I unreasonable in expecting a LDS to charge me the cost of 1 cylinder rather than a full twinset. My rationale is that I'm only asking for 1488l of air to be added versus filling 2784l for a single or 5568l for twins.

Your thoughts?

[fatlaz]

Seems quite fair to me, your point of view that is. I have often wondered how this is the case, seems to be somewhat of a scam at times

[Fiona]

What is your next planned dive.

[endoman]

You're not paying for the air, you're paying for someone to be able to fill the tanks. I get charged full amount for topping up a 12 from 120 bar, pay it begrudgingly, but that's the way it is.

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by endoman

You're not paying for the air, you're paying for someone to be able to fill the tanks.

If that's the rationale then you should pay the same for singles as you do for twins!!!!

[David Wallace]

the cost of producing the air is insignificant compared with a businesses overheads and labour costs so the number of litres you need is unimportant to the LDS

I could write more but I will still claim the that's my 2p worth .

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by endoman

You're not paying for the air, you're paying for someone to be able to fill the tanks. I get charged full amount for topping up a 12 from 120 bar, pay it begrudgingly, but that's the way it is.

Yep .... sounds about right ..... you are paying for a share of the compressor and clearly air at the high pressure end costs more than air at the low pressure end.

It gripes, I know ....... depending on what you are doing, do you need to top off 170 bar anyway?
Mal

[Fiona]

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

It gripes, I know ....... depending on what you are doing, do you need to top off 170 bar anyway?
Mal

Which is what I was alluding to

I have 150 in mine at the moment and I will either whip a bit from the other set and balance them out or just dive them at Vobster in feb.

[Scuttler]

Originally Posted by Fiona

What is your next planned dive.

Originally Posted by Mal Bridgeman

depending on what you are doing, do you need to top off 170 bar anyway?

M2 followed by a drift....so I think it would be wise

[Muddweller]

I once had this debate a few years ago as that was also my thinking.

The arguments the LDS used where:

Theres not much difference in power consumption cost to fill a nearly full cylnder as there is an empty cylinder since the compressor has to work that much harder as it approaches a full cylinder.

The maintanence costs are the same irrispective of how many cylinders they fill.

They still have overheads to house the compressor room/bank etc.

And finally .... "sod off ya cheapscate" where his parting words.


Now when I get o2 I am charged per litre ??

Regards
Karl