Mini Compressor Update :)

[JKR]

I don't need one for construction projects - just for filling HPA tanks and for tires. Would a very small compressor work? For example, this one from Home Depot...

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardware-Air-Compressors-Tools-Accessories-Portable-Compressors/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5Zbb2v/R-202019874/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

[p8ntbal4me]

Here is a video of a compressor thats setup in a method Im going to rig mine once my shop is done: http://www.youtube.com/user/saunixco...40/By9YDnDArQU

Skip to 8:25 in the video (the end) to hear the compressor running. Its about as loud as an air filter on a large fish tank,.. very quiet unit,... but pricey.

This is also a very good compressor company to buy from: Castair

My uncle has 2 of these in his shop and doesnt complain about the lack of air loss whenever hes working with his air tools,.. they seem to run quiet and very effective.

~ P8nt

[Ratzo]

Dukie that is exactly what I was thinking when I broached the question earlier, but didn't get my point across as well as you.

[PaintballEngineer]

I don't need one for construction projects - just for filling HPA tanks and for tires. Would a very small compressor work? For example, this one from Home Depot...

http://www.homedepot.com/Tools-Hardw...atalogId=10053

Yup!

[FA22RaptorF22]

What happens if you put extra pressure into this setup?

For example my big compressor puts out about 120 psi.

[AGD]

You can't put 1000 psi into the compressor because the upstream parts are not rated to handle the pressure. You are better off buying a cheap air compressor and using my mini-compressor to fill the scuba tank.

If you put 100-120 psi in it would fill faster but could stall the motor.

AGD

[PaintballEngineer]

Actualy, if you run your compressor at higher pressures than the mini can take, then you could just get a second regulator and attach it directly to the mini. That way it wouldn't matter what pressure your on compressor regulator was set to.

[Frizzle Fry]

Actualy, if you run your compressor at higher pressures than the mini can take, then you could just get a second regulator and attach it directly to the mini. That way it wouldn't matter what pressure your on compressor regulator was set to.

True. I'm guessing FA22RaptorF22 was hoping that his big air compressor would have an advantage over his smaller low-output compressor. Not the case, but then again buying a small compressor on the cheap at Home Depot to devote entirely to Toms new setup is my plan... I wouldn't want to tie up my big compressor, and I'd have to spend money for the other regulator anyway, plus I'll probably be filling tanks all the time.

[boarder2k7]

I wouldn't want to tie up my big compressor, and I'd have to spend money for the other regulator anyway, plus I'll probably be filling tanks all the time.

It wouldn't really tie up your other compressor since you can use more than one tool at a time, and it isn't going to use enough air to adversely affect your other uses. A reg is cheaper than another compressor. If you want another one, this one is $90 but I don't know if its any good. http://www.everyaircompressor.com/Ca...8-CHP1106.html


As another note about compressors, the direct drive ones are great because of their price and maintenance free operation. One thing to keep in mind though is that they are about twice as loud as a belt driven compressor.

I have a 33 Gallon craftsman Direct drive, and another of about the same size that is so old I don't even know who made it because its worn off, and the motor has been replaced. The old one is one of the belt driven types, and after all this time, it still works great, and is extremely quiet. The beauty of these is that you can often get them for dirt cheap on craigslist and the like, I just checked and there are 3 or 4 of them for under $100 near me.

-B

[FA22RaptorF22]

As another note about compressors, the direct drive ones are great because of their price and maintenance free operation. One thing to keep in mind though is that they are about twice as loud as a belt driven compressor.

This^

[DoubleDutch]

It would be really nice if these would accept high pressure inputs ( 1000psi ) It could then be used to scavenge the fairly uselss residual in a scuba tank and bring your smaller tanks up to pressure. A scuba tank with 1000psi in it is fairly useless, pumping that down into a smaller tank should drastically cut the fill time.

Its nice to see you getting back in to paintball in any way shape or form tom!!!

This got me thinking... what about regulating the air out of a SCUBA tank down to 85 PSI to provide the input pressure? If you have 2 tanks or more, you could use one to supply low PSI air to fill the other to 3000 psi, and keep them both full at all times by swapping them a time or two. Then you would have air in your HPA bottles, plus in your SCUBA tanks, for a full day of renegade ball. When you get home, repeat using the residual air, and voila, full tanks. This might be good for someone that has 2 SCUBA tanks but no compressor.

If you happen to have a SCUBA first stage that has adjustable pressure on the LP port, even better, just set it to 85 PSI and no more equipment to buy. Otherwise, I believe most SCUBA first stage regulators are set at 125 PSI on the LP port.

How much would a regulator cost to bring SCUBA pressure down to 85 PSI? This approach might only make sense economically if you already have all the gear (vs buying a cheap compressor). I guess it would be quieter too.

[AGD]

If you start with a full scuba tank feeding into the compressor and then into an empty scuba tank, you will end up with the feed tank empty and the compressor tank full. No gain.

AGD

[DoubleDutch]

Duh... I see that now. Never mind.

[mpsd]

If you start with a full scuba tank feeding into the compressor and then into an empty scuba tank, you will end up with the feed tank empty and the compressor tank full. No gain.

AGD

Still, if I don't have a small 85psi compressor, can I use the scuba as an input, in order to make the filling faster? Would I really need to reg it down to 85 psi or could I use 900 psi, for example?

I also would like to know about the filling times you are getting with the new 200 rpm motor. Did you test filling a 68ci tank from 0 to 4500 psi with no shop compressor helping? And what about the noise?

I see a great opportunity for re-selling those products here in Brazil. Let's talk about it later, when you have it ready, ok?

[DoubleDutch]

I am pretty sure I read that with the stock motor, the max input will be 85 PSI. If you have a SCUBA tank with say 900 PSI in it, you could always fill your HPA tank to that pressure, and then use the mini compressor from there, I am sure it would save some time.

I am also interested in compressor-less approaches. If going from ambient pressure (is that still an option?) takes too long, and you don't mind some exercise, you could always use a bicycle pump to pump up the 5 gallon 125 PSI pressure tank that doc_Zox mentioned earlier, to 85 psi, and then feed the minicompressor with it. If that tank has separate input/output, maybe you can see if you can keep the pressure at 85 with the pump while the compressor is working!

Say isn't Embraer in Sao Paulo? I might have to go visit them sometime in the next couple of months for work.