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Post by mickmack on Dec 13, 2021 14:00:10 GMT
I had a quick look over the forum to see if this had been asked before or if there was a tread for discussing or raising any questions, but couldn't see anything.
If I'm wrong let me know before I go into this too deeply.
I'm looking for some technical knowledge on the logistics of compressing and storing air, it seems that having a compressor and cylinder would make sense and avoids reliance on filling commercially. However I'm looking at this without the knowhow so any advice would be appreciated.
Is it feasible to fill bottles at home and what sort of kit is needed to make it safe?
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Russ D.
Sharpshooter
Shooting whenever life allows
Posts: 216
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Post by Russ D. on Dec 13, 2021 19:08:18 GMT
Dale's probabley the club expert questions-wise as he minds the club compressor. But basically you can buy water-cooled home compressors starting at a few hundred quid, or better built kit for a few hundred more. Many are water-cooled, all have some sort of filter to remove moisture (an essential is PCPs must only be filled with diving-quality air). Also some smaller compressors can only be used to fill smaller tanks, e.g. 1 litre max, etc... Here's a video to help you learn more: youtu.be/ssUFjpU6KDI...but Andy has several newer reviews on his channel of other individual compressors. You have a lot to watch, have fun. Cheers. Russ Ps. Give me £800 and I'd buy the electric Hills Pump: youtu.be/XVCkrpceYtw |
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Post by Craig on Dec 13, 2021 22:37:38 GMT
We live in the diving capitol of Europe, I would’ve thought accessibility to compressors was easier than it seems to be. I believe some fire stations used to offer cylinder fills for a donation to their charity. Not sure if H&S had put paid to that. Compressors can be a pain and require servicing and testing too. Maybe not so bad for a PCP purpose, but be assured that those used for breathing air will be up to spec.
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Russ D.
Sharpshooter
Shooting whenever life allows
Posts: 216
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Post by Russ D. on Dec 14, 2021 5:25:34 GMT
Aberdeen sadly no longer has a dive shop-cum-gun shop near the harbour, and I've been told fire stations can no longer do 'civilian' fills. There are commercial industrial gases suppliers who can fill bottles dotted around, but the ones I contacted a while back weren't cheap and require to see your bottle's certificate every time you take it along.
Stonehaven does have Octopus (Spurryhillock industrial estate, just off the A90), where you can get bottles filled and tested: there's a thread on the main GARC website about that.
Cheers. Russ
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Post by Who? on Dec 14, 2021 8:37:05 GMT
What Russ has stated about electric powered compressors is also my understanding.
But don’t forget about pumps you provide the power for - the Hills or FX hand pumps (there are probably other makes). These can also have a small desiccant type water filter. The hand pumps are normally limited to filling the air reservoir on the gun. I’ve never used one and have heard mixed opinions on how hard it is physically to use one.
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Post by Stoof on Dec 14, 2021 10:52:34 GMT
I have only used a manual pump for mine (a Webley Tri-pump). Filling a rifle from about 100 to 190 bar takes around five minutes, and I do that quite slowly as there's nothing to be gained by pumping frantically - apart from destroying the o-rings and making the fittings burn your fingers! There's a bit of effort involved on the compression stroke when you get past 160 bar or so. It doesn't knacker me though, and I'm not the fittest, but of course everyone has different physical ability.
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Post by mickmack on Dec 14, 2021 13:23:19 GMT
Dale's probabley the club expert questions-wise as he minds the club compressor. But basically you can buy water-cooled home compressors starting at a few hundred quid, or better built kit for a few hundred more. Many are water-cooled, all have some sort of filter to remove moisture (an essential is PCPs must only be filled with diving-quality air). Also some smaller compressors can only be used to fill smaller tanks, e.g. 1 litre max, etc... Here's a video to help you learn more: youtu.be/ssUFjpU6KDI...but Andy has several newer reviews on his channel of other individual compressors. You have a lot to watch, have fun. Cheers. Russ Ps. Give me £800 and I'd buy the electric Hills Pump: youtu.be/XVCkrpceYtwThats sound advice, thanks Russ. |
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Post by mickmack on Dec 14, 2021 13:27:02 GMT
What Russ has stated about electric powered compressors is also my understanding. But don’t forget about pumps you provide the power for - the Hills or FX hand pumps (there are probably other makes). These can also have a small desiccant type water filter. The hand pumps are normally limited to filling the air reservoir on the gun. I’ve never used one and have heard mixed opinions on how hard it is physically to use one. I'm not a huge fan of physical exertion any more and certainly not built for speed so hand pumping is a last resort. I may change my mind if I had a go, but at the moment flicking a switch has a certain appeal! |
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Post by mickmack on Dec 14, 2021 13:40:45 GMT
I have only used a manual pump for mine (a Webley Tri-pump). Filling a rifle from about 100 to 190 bar takes around five minutes, and I do that quite slowly as there's nothing to be gained by pumping frantically - apart from destroying the o-rings and making the fittings burn your fingers! There's a bit of effort involved on the compression stroke when you get past 160 bar or so. It doesn't knacker me though, and I'm not the fittest, but of course everyone has different physical ability. Hmm, I'm wondering if I'm being overly cautious now. I could start with a pump approach and then fall back to tanks and compressors if its too much. Interesting, something else to consider. Thanks for the input |
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Post by mickmack on Dec 15, 2021 8:55:34 GMT
We live in the diving capitol of Europe, I would’ve thought accessibility to compressors was easier than it seems to be. I believe some fire stations used to offer cylinder fills for a donation to their charity. Not sure if H&S had put paid to that. Compressors can be a pain and require servicing and testing too. Maybe not so bad for a PCP purpose, but be assured that those used for breathing air will be up to spec. Fire stations, never thought about that one. That may be a good shout (pardon the pun), I wonder if the ambulance service has this capability? I suppose BA for confined spaces is another possible route, I know a few folk who do that for tank and MH inspections (Construction) and I never thought of asking them either. The servicing and testing of the actual compressor I never thought about either. |
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Russ D.
Sharpshooter
Shooting whenever life allows
Posts: 216
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Post by Russ D. on Dec 15, 2021 9:41:02 GMT
I tried calling a few Fire Stations and was told filling (civilian) bottles is no longer allowed. R
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Post by mickmack on Dec 15, 2021 13:55:21 GMT
I tried calling a few Fire Stations and was told filling (civilian) bottles is no longer allowed. R Thanks Russ, that's understandable I guess, possibly when it changed from an occasional favour to a queue. |
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Post by paulthengine on Dec 16, 2021 19:50:29 GMT
Up untill now I have only ever used hand pumps to fill guns, quite good unless you don`t weigh much,when you will be lifting yourself off the floor instead of depressing the pump. After many years of use I have not found any traces of water in the guns, with or without dessicant inlet filters. Now the downside, while you are pumping you are likely to go a funny shade of Purple, your heart rate will go above 200 and you will feel that Death is near, but, Hey you are not having to pay for a fill!
Dive Cylinders work OK if you are filling to less than 200 Bar and you have a 300 Bar Cylinder, However,if you want to fill a rifle to 300 Bar (and Iv`e got Three guns that will)and you have a 300 bar cylinder, you ain`t going to get a full fill in any of them!
My solution to all of this was to buy myself a Christmas present in the form of a Yong Heng 30Mpa (300 Bar)compressor from EBay. Now mine is a clone (why clone a cheap Chinese compressor)But they are likely to all be made in the same factory and different names pu on(Remember Austin,Morris,Wolsely,Riley in the 60s) As this is My Christmas present to myself, I have only used it once to test so can`t say how reliable it is but it`s QUICK
Facebook has a Yong Heng owners group (There are actually two,join both)Which is full of information on these little compressors.
Should you want to try hand pumping or the compressor please let me know, I can lend you a pump or demonstrate the compressor
Regards
Paul
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Post by mickmack on Dec 22, 2021 11:51:26 GMT
Up untill now I have only ever used hand pumps to fill guns, quite good unless you don`t weigh much,when you will be lifting yourself off the floor instead of depressing the pump. After many years of use I have not found any traces of water in the guns, with or without dessicant inlet filters. Now the downside, while you are pumping you are likely to go a funny shade of Purple, your heart rate will go above 200 and you will feel that Death is near, but, Hey you are not having to pay for a fill! Dive Cylinders work OK if you are filling to less than 200 Bar and you have a 300 Bar Cylinder, However,if you want to fill a rifle to 300 Bar (and Iv`e got Three guns that will)and you have a 300 bar cylinder, you ain`t going to get a full fill in any of them! My solution to all of this was to buy myself a Christmas present in the form of a Yong Heng 30Mpa (300 Bar)compressor from EBay. Now mine is a clone (why clone a cheap Chinese compressor)But they are likely to all be made in the same factory and different names pu on(Remember Austin,Morris,Wolsely,Riley in the 60s) As this is My Christmas present to myself, I have only used it once to test so can`t say how reliable it is but it`s QUICK Facebook has a Yong Heng owners group (There are actually two,join both)Which is full of information on these little compressors. Should you want to try hand pumping or the compressor please let me know, I can lend you a pump or demonstrate the compressor Regards Paul Thanks Paul, thats kind of you and great info too, much appreciated. |
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Post by metallninja on Jan 1, 2022 17:55:16 GMT
I tried calling a few Fire Stations and was told filling (civilian) bottles is no longer allowed. R Thanks Russ, that's understandable I guess, possibly when it changed from an occasional favour to a queue. Most fire stations do not have “in house” facilities to charge cylinders. Inverurie’s for example are sent out and returned on an “as needed basis”. I think they go to Dundee Also many local stations are not manned 24/7. |
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