GTA
All Springer/NP/PCP Air Gun Discussion General => PCP/CO2/HPA Air Gun Gates "The Darkside" => Topic started by: Bigragu on August 21, 2018, 07:18:33 PM
-
I posted my initial impressions of my new Hatsan Lightning compressor in the PCP support forum. All I have to say is for the price point that it’s in, there’s no better out there in a residential home fill system.
Hatsan just sent me an email notice telling me it’s now in stock and available for purchase, so for any of you debating to get a home fill station without the need of water buckets and all this filtration protection, the Hatsan Lightning will put a smile on your face. Truly, truly a very wise investment
-
Please put that in the subject of your post.
-
I've been researching compressors out there and just couldn't decide. I'd convince myself on one particular make and model one day only to find something bad about it on a forum somewhere the next day and be right back to square one.
As soon as I read the Hatsan Lightning compressor was available again, I went straight to their site, found it and ordered one. No more indecision, just action!! Air independence is coming at last!! That blessed hand pump's going to be getting a long rest!! If I'm half as happy with it as Augie is with his, its going to be great!!
Thanks for posting this Augie! Hatsan's online check out said there were 5 left after I bought mine.
-
Harold, you’re gonna love that thing. It not only has a brain all its own, but is definitely built very robust. Can’t remember if I posted it here on the Darkside forums, but when I first plugged it in a voice came on to tell me all systems checked out ok, and to start it up!
-
Augie - you did and I was amazed when I read that. I've read your postings here about the Lightning compressor and they make me even more certain I selected the right compressor for me.
Mine is sitting on a loading dock with a shipping label waiting on pickup I won't know when to expect it until after it gets picked up, but that'll happen later today. I have an order on the way from Amazon for some other goodies for the compressor - synthetic oil, hour meter (vibration type) and some connectors just to be sure I can get hooked up when it arrives. One of your posts implies connectors will not be needed, but I just wanted to be sure.
One things I've looked for all over but not found - a copy of the owners manual so I can get started learning about the compressor.....
Anxiously waiting for mine!!
-
Augie - you did and I was amazed when I read that. I've read your postings here about the Lightning compressor and they make me even more certain I selected the right compressor for me.
Mine is sitting on a loading dock with a shipping label waiting on pickup I won't know when to expect it until after it gets picked up, but that'll happen later today. I have an order on the way from Amazon for some other goodies for the compressor - synthetic oil, hour meter (vibration type) and some connectors just to be sure I can get hooked up when it arrives. One of your posts implies connectors will not be needed, but I just wanted to be sure.
One things I've looked for all over but not found - a copy of the owners manual so I can get started learning about the compressor.....
Anxiously waiting for mine!!
Harold, I too, was hoping to get the instruction manual prior to receiving it. I had gotten my compressor thru Indiana airguns. The first one that arrived had a bend exterior panel, and a bent air filter. Indiana had to send that one back, and request another. I wanted to have the antifreeze and compressor oil ready, so the owner of IAG, Dennis, texted me the specified fluid requirements.
For coolant, you need a type G05. 30% coolant and 70% distilled water. I wanted a better mix, and went 40/60 for now. I chose Zerex G05 coolant, made for Diesel engines. The total cooling system takes just a few ounces over a gallon.
For compressor oil, you will need an ISO 100 SAE 30 weight type. I chose Amsoil synthetic, SAE 30/40 grade. It takes exactly 13.5 ounces of compressor oil to get you to the correct level.
-
I wanted to also add, Harold, that the owners manual comes with a log sheet, both for maintenance and use time. I don’t like writing on original manuals, so I took those back pages and copied them out. The hour meter I also got, because the log sheets ask for time frame usage.
The first oil fill needs to be changed out after the first 20 hours, then every 100 hours or every year, whichever comes first.
Coolant is to be changed out every 100 hours or every year, whichever comes first.
Couple of time savers for you cause I already notified Hatsan on this, is the setting of the auto purge cycle. Every 15 minutes is okay, but I went with every 10 minutes. Makes me feel better that moisture is being purged out sooner, and at more intervals.
I can’t remember, but there is a factory preset on the temp gage, that causes the compressor to automatically turn off when it gets too hot. I want to say it may be 185 degrees. The hottest mine has gotten to is 165.
I looked up generator covers on amazon, and found one close to the compressors exterior dimensions, to keep it protected from dust. If I remember, the compressor is 18” x20” x 18” tall. The cover I got was 20”x24”x 24” tall, if I remember.
Also got hook magnets from Home Depot to conveniently hang the fill whip and one for the cord. That compressor has rubber isolation bushings to battle vibration. It does a good job of keeping the compressor quiet and non moving on my cart, but I noticed if I placed my Airhog tank next to the compressor on the cart, the tank starts to vibrate around. So I bought an anti vibration mat from Home Depot, which came in the perfect size of 30”x24”x1/2” thick. I found it in the carpet department, it’s black in color, and has a diamond plate design. Solved that vibration problem.
Let me know if there is anything or other info you may need. Just make sure and inspect the compressor well upon receiving it.
-
Thanks Augie, you've been a tremendous help!
Going shopping tomorrow for oil and antifreeze.....going to be ready when it gets here!
-
When I get back from vacation I’m going to try and source a replacement air filter for the compressor. Try and find a K&N with a filter sock sized for it. I seriously doubt if there’s any afternarket support from the air filter folks for a small engine air filter, though. If I do find one, I’ll post up what I find, in case your interested.
That compressor has 3 stages of filtration protection. An air filter first at the combustion intake end, then oil/water filtration(replaceable media) and auto purge. Some other stuff that I can’t remember right now. You will get a spare filter replacement and O-ring seals to service the filtration canister. The replacement maintenance parts for this compressor is not advertised in Hatsan’s parts page on line; to get parts you would have to fill out an on line tech form, and make the request for parts. The one thing I asked Hatsan for that I haven’t received yet is a parts breakdown diagram, that show part numbers alongside of the part. For added protection, only because I’m overkill that way, is I ordered a spare handheld, 3” long x 1 1/2” diameter water and oil filter, that was made to go at the end of the fill whip and the fill probe at the other end of the filter then into the gun. Doing this to ensure I’m doing my best at holding back all moisture.
The compressor also comes with a rebuild kit, of O-rings, gaskets, etc.
The compressor weighs in at 85 lbs. it is an awkward/bulky 85 lbs., so get help if lifting it up to a bench.
One of the things I forgot to mention is it has a coolant drain petcock handle, with 1/4” male NPT threads at the end, so you can attach drain fittings on the end if you have this compressor mounted on the bench. I used the white, 3/8”, push to lock fittings and PTFE tubing, from the Home Depot plumbing section. It’ll make coolant drains a breeze.
Oil drain plug is of a Allen head bolt, in 5mm. If you decide to place a drain pan under the drain plug, the pan sides cannot be over 2” tall. I built and soldered up a sheet metal pan of 5”x4” x 1 1/2” tall that fits perfect.
A lot of info, that will hopefully help a potential owner of this compressor.