Altaros compressor booster mini review

[Bizill]

I personally wouldn't run a setup like this overnight as I slept.  Maybe after awhile I would.  I'd have to build faith in the product first.  Probably not even then.

[tkerrigan]

If your air compressor is too loud, try hooking a 3/4" hose to the intake if possible.  Make the hose about 4' long and put a filter at the end.  I did this on my Shelton compressor and it knocked off half of the noise.  It went from having to wear ear protection to choosing to wear it.  Helps to have a curve in the hose.  Regards, Tom

[n4spd]

Will post more numbers when I do them!

Great alternate report, Robert. Thank you. Will you attempt a small 4.5k fill?

I love that you broke out the FLIR.

[n4spd]

The stocks separator and filter are still in the toolbox.  I just added an additional separator and desiccant filter just before the toolbox.
They are both cheap HF units.  The HF desiccant filter is nice because I can see the color change in the window whereas the stock unit has no window so needs to be opened to check.
The long line between the compressor and booster also seems to help because it cools the air.

The compressor is only 150 shipped via amazon.
CA air tools also sells a 10 gallon external tank via amazon for 50 shipped which is a great deal because their tank comes with a gauge and a cable/hose that you can use to charge and discharge (I has also got this tank but am not using it for boosting).

Could you expand a little more on your filter setup, are you only using filters that is shown? Does the what looks like a water oil separator before the HF filter remove much water?   

[n4spd]

yah, I have not run it overnight or un-moniitored yet.

I just put a small wifi camera on the ground next to it to monitor gauges/desiccant color remotely.
It'll stop running if it's power supply is disconnected so you can put it on a remote controlled outlet to boot.

ps. not to say it's not stable, it so far has stopped at 3k (it actually slows down considerably before stopping so I just stop it when gauges look good by eye)

I personally wouldn't run a setup like this overnight as I slept.  Maybe after awhile I would.  I'd have to build faith in the product first.  Probably not even then.

[KnifeMaker]

I take it that every one here has space issues. Why else would every one want portable, job site compressors. Mainly designed for use on job sites, such as running nail guns.

A true, upright, is not very expensive, and has a large increase if cfm of air. I looked at the campbell hausfeld while picking up a filter for my ingersoll rand, and it was just a shade over 400. bucks before any sale, or coupon price.
Yes, it is bigger, but sets in the corner of a garage just fine, and is quieter than most portables. Especially most oil less units. With over double the CFM, which will in turn, greatly cut the fill time.

Knife

[StevenG]

Is that unit also oil less?

I am not space constrained, but if using a $200 unit takes twice as long and is safer I would do that. Now it if safety is a wash and the unit is 4+ times faster than maybe I would consider it. I hand pump now and do consider getting a compressor every once in a while, but I probably need the exercise more than anything.

[straightshooter]

I have space problems, but also concerned with the high humidity in my barn. I am afraid I would have to wait for the perfect low humidity day to fill? If I had a compressor inside my house I would have more control over the fill environment. I thought the oil less compressors are the quiet compressors and the oil filled compressors like my Makita are the loud ones?   

[n2omike]

I have space problems, but also concerned with the high humidity in my barn. I am afraid I would have to wait for the perfect low humidity day to fill? If I had a compressor inside my house I would have more control over the fill environment. I thought the oil less compressors are the quiet compressors and the oil filled compressors like my Makita are the loud ones?   

Most oil-less compressors are VERY LOUD, and make an exceptionally annoying sound.  Conventional, belt driven compressors are not nearly as noisy as the conventional oil-less counterparts.

The only glaring exceptions, are the California Compressors linked in the last page or two of this thread.  These oil-less compressors are VERY quiet.  They just aren't high volume.  One very patient member here was able to make their small 1hp unit work.  They also sell a 2hp model (also linked in this thread) that would be much better...  The 2hp model is not a bad choice, especially if you have to fill inside.

If there is room for a larger, stationary compressor...  such as the Ingersol Rand units linked earlier in this thread... these will provide FAR more airflow.  A 240V 2-stage conventional unit would be the BEST for driving the Altaros...  and would allow it to work to it's full speed and potential with the least moisture issues.
 

[Bizill]

Generally speaking it's easy to just convince yourself that any shop compressor that's belt-driven (oil lubed) will be quieter than what the industry calls "oiless", save for the California Air type of oiless compressors of which I have but was sold under the GMC brand name.

The poster who used his California Air compressor to fill his guppy has reinvigorated my desire to purchase the Altaros after I had begun to drift away from doing so.  I'd really love to hear about the run times to 4,500 psi, though.

[Taso1000]

I really need to go through this thread again but I had an idea for us who have small non industrial compressors.   

Since warm air can hold more moisture, what if instead of going for the quickest fill times we go for the slowest?  If I understand the Altaros website information the minimum pressure required for the booster to work is 90 psi.

I have posted a picture of my compressor specs so I will use those as an example.

I don't know the exact turn on and off pressure points for my compressor but lets just use 125 psi for turn off and 90 psi for turn on.  If I was to regulate the compressor output pressure to the Altaros' minimum input of 90 psi would this give me the best setup for keeping my first stage air the coolest?

This is not to avoid using water separators and desiccant.  This is to just have dryer air to begin with.

I would also like to add that my setup would be in a detached garage.  I don't think there would be enough noise to affect neighbors but I could probably muffle the compressor noise if I had too.  I have heard it kick on when I was outside but I've never heard it from inside the house. 

At this rate, what time do you estimate a 30 minute scba cylinder to fill from empty to 4500 psi and from 3000 to 4500 psi?

Is this even doable?

I will try to re read this entire thread when I get home from work today.

Thanks,

Taso

[Scubajeeper]

I believe the minimum psi is 72, or 5 bar.

[KnifeMaker]

Yes, 5 Bar min. But the obvious thing being over looked here, is the volume. You need to be thinking of starting at least 5 cfm, The little 2 to 2.5 units will simply be spinning their wheels.

It takes a balance of PSI and CFM to reach decent results.

Knife

[Scubajeeper]

I'm thinking real hard about getting one of these. The fill rate calculations on the Altaros website give me a headache. My compressor's specs are 6.5 hp peak 135 psi max, 10.2 cfm @ 90 psi with a 60 gallon tank. Do any of you that own one have a similar compressor? I would love to know what to expect as far as fill rates go. I know there has been a lot of talk about needing a two stage comp and I'm sure that would be the ideal setup, but I'm not going to be buying a new one anytime soon. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

[DocMortal]

Your CFM is pretty high I'm pretty sure you will be close maybe little less then KnifeMaker filling times which are awesome.

[Scubajeeper]

Chris, what are you driving yours with? And are you happy with it?

[DocMortal]

I love mine but I'm in no hurry to fill either.

I got my specs earlier in the thread with complete details.

I made my own dessicant setup check out my posts.

Just got my .25 Wildcat so going to be using up all my air 

[KnifeMaker]

I'm thinking real hard about getting one of these. The fill rate calculations on the Altaros website give me a headache. My compressor's specs are 6.5 hp peak 135 psi max, 10.2 cfm @ 90 psi with a 60 gallon tank. Do any of you that own one have a similar compressor? I would love to know what to expect as far as fill rates go. I know there has been a lot of talk about needing a two stage comp and I'm sure that would be the ideal setup, but I'm not going to be buying a new one anytime soon. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sounds about perfect to me Sir! We are only 1 CFM apart. Doubt any difference could be seen.

There is only "One" person here that has said that a 2 stage compressor is required. (Also for whatever reason claimed that I have a 2 stage, which I don't) He is apparently a rather new shoe box owner, and in love with it. No problem with that, but like many folks, he seems to only be happy with it if he can put down whatever anyone else has. He does not own an Altaros, Never Seen an Altaros, but is completely convinced that it is basically worthless. Mostly because it is a booster pump. Not a Compressor.

Shssss---He has NO Idea his Shoe Box is a motor driven booster pump. LOL!!!   

Read this entire thread. I have posted times very close to what you will get with your set-up! 

Knife

Knife

[Scubajeeper]

Thanks guys

[n2omike]

Sounds about perfect to me Sir! We are only 1 CFM apart. Doubt any difference could be seen.

There is only "One" person here that has said that a 2 stage compressor is required. (Also for whatever reason claimed that I have a 2 stage, which I don't) He is apparently a rather new shoe box owner, and in love with it. No problem with that, but like many folks, he seems to only be happy with it if he can put down whatever anyone else has. He does not own an Altaros, Never Seen an Altaros, but is completely convinced that it is basically worthless. Mostly because it is a booster pump. Not a Compressor.

Shssss---He has NO Idea his Shoe Box is a motor driven booster pump. LOL!!!   

Read this entire thread. I have posted times very close to what you will get with your set-up! 

Knife

You're misguided...  and are showing your true colors and personality.

I said a 240V 2-stage unit would be ideal for the Altaros, as the compressor not only has to provide the first stage of air, but also has to drive the motorless unit.  Driving the unit takes a LOT more air than the first stage does...  so to do the Altaros justice, and not run the first stage compressor to death, you'll need a commercial style compressor, or go through a routine which involves turning a smaller first stage compressor on and off to let it rest, and keep it from getting hot.

CAN a smaller compressor be used?  Yes.
Will you have to take steps to make sure it doesn't burn itself up running 100% of the time?  Yes.
Will you have to take steps to control moisture from it running so much, and getting hot?  Yes.
Will it fill any faster than a Shoebox with a small compressor?  No.  Fill times will be slower, as the first stage compressor has to both provide the first stage of air, AND run the motorless Altaros.

When it comes to the Altaros...  The bigger the compressor, the better.
Can it be run with a smaller unit?  Yes..  but you need to do your homework to guide against the first stage compressor not getting too hot, take extra steps to deal with the moisture, and not be in a hurry.

I'm not a Shoebox 'fanboy'.  I have one, and it works great.  Just set it, and forget it.  Electronic switch shuts it off automatically.
If you don't have a larger compressor, a F8 or F10 is definitely your best bet over the Altaros.  If you have a large compressor, the Altaros is a less expensive option.