PCP Compressor???

[watersteps]

Hello All,
Just in case this PCP bug keeps biting me, what brand and/or model high pressure air compressor would be best to purchase?
I would think that having an extra pre-charged cyl when I'm out hunting would be the best way to go.
I do plan on going with the big bore rifles someday.

[Wayne52]

I'm kinda in the same predicament myself, the place where I got my tanks filled very cheaply I might add is going to be closed in the winter now and I've been hand pumping since.  It's not bad with my Prod at all but my bigger tanked rifles take a long time to fill, especially a 210cc that holds 250bar.  I did manage to get an SPA M16 close to where I want it to be but I'll definitely be taking it apart again mainly just to tweek the regulator in it a little, they're very sensitive to adjustment in this gun.  Luckily my air guy is back from Florida, I did talk to him on the phone right after he left Florida pulling a packed trailer and he said give him a ring about the middle of next week.  Another big reason I want a decent compressor is the tanks expire in December 2019 and they price they're getting for used SCBA tanks has really gone up.  I think about the only option I would go for right now would be the Yong Heng, people are really having good luck with them. I'm probably going to wait till towards the end of the year to see what else might be out there.

[Tater]

Hello All,
Just in case this PCP bug keeps biting me, what brand and/or model high pressure air compressor would be best to purchase?
I would think that having an extra pre-charged cyl when I'm out hunting would be the best way to go.
I do plan on going with the big bore rifles someday.

Just in case?!?!?!   

[AlanMcD]

If you are really planning on getting into big bores, then you will end up using lots of air.  Lots of it . . .

For that I would want a higher capacity, more robust pump than the latest round of offerings (including my Shoebox, which I am thrilled with).  Just something to consider.

Of course if you are not sure that interest in this hobby will hold (pause for laughter), you could always buy one of the lower capacity units and then move up to a bigger unit later.

[Brian10956]

I have the Carette with all the extras including the Alpha filter. I think it cost $1700 delivered. It’s not the fastest (belt driven) but that’s one of the reasons it works best.Unfortunately that the least you need to spend for a well made compressor. If I had another $500 I would of got the Daystate. The $300 Chinese compressors are poor quality and will break if your not highly mechanical forget about them. I hear mixed reviews on the Air Venturi and the Omega but you need the Alpha filter (or equivalent not the tampex filter) with whatever you get. If you don’t have enough maybe look into buying one good compressor  with a friend or 2 and share it. If you make the mistake of getting $300 get the better one after it breaks down usually within 10 hours of use. Their guarantees are useless as the sellers disappear ever 6 months and reopen under another name. If your interested on the Carette look for old reviews on this site from Guykuo he broke down and fully vetted this compressor..

[kingrude1]

Asking which compressor should I buy in today's market is like asking which car or truck should I buy? Would be hard to answer that without knowing your budget and intended uses. Plenty of good usable compressors starting for under $300 and going up to whatever level you want to go to for breathable air compressors.

 Don't be afraid of the Yong Hengs, just do some reading, you will see the people who got the actual yong heng have been pleased, legitimate sellers have been quick to respond and offer refunds or solutions if there was an issue. They are extremely easy to work on and there's plenty of information here on repairs and where to find parts.

Without going through the complete list of what's available, it is always best to know what one's budget is first. Then are you going to fill guns, tanks, or both? Is it just for your use or will you be filling for others? After this then it would be more easy to narrow down prospective compressors that fit your budget and needs. Good luck.

[triggertreat]

I really like the Air Venturi I have.  It's a 90lb compressor that fills my two tanks (88 and 44 CF) quickly and fairly quietly for less runtime and wear.   It comes with a large HPA filter (one installed and one spare) mounted vertically so water has to fight it upward.  I have never had any water issues.  It is a workhorse too.  I have run it near continuously while filling two empty tanks.  The temperature never got too hot.  It has a circuit board monitoring different functions.  The auto shutoff is nice when topping off or filling the tanks or guns.  The air is cooled more by a fan blowing over a large coil of tubing leading into the HPA filter.  I see much less of a PSI drop in the tanks now than I did when driving to the Suba shop as my tanks are just slightly above room temperature after filling.


It doesn't have an auto bleed timer or an hour meter.  I put an hour meter on mine for $10.  I open the bleed valve every 10 minutes while monitoring the progress which doesn't take more than 20 minutes to top off my big tank from 3000 to 4500 psi.

[Wayne52]

This is the one that I'm keeping my eye out for, it's a 3 cylinder made by SPA.  One thing about SPA is you can order parts for them.  I think this photo was from the IWA show in Germany.

[Trigger_Finger]

Don't forget to read / research on the proven and tested for what 8 yrs now? The USA made F10 Shoebox compressor. It was priced before at $1100 then dropped to $500(maybe to compete with China). You can add a silent shop compressor like the California Air Tools shop compressor from amazon $179. You Need To Add water/Oil Filter separator. A good high pressure air filter water separator is a must.

[kingrude1]

This is the one that I'm keeping my eye out for, it's a 3 cylinder made by SPA.  One thing about SPA is you can order parts for them.  I think this photo was from the IWA show in Germany.

I am also waiting on that one myself. Seems to be prime time now for new affordable compressors to the market. Waiting on the Hatsan Lightning compressor too.

[fivestar45]

This is the one that I'm keeping my eye out for, it's a 3 cylinder made by SPA.  One thing about SPA is you can order parts for them.  I think this photo was from the IWA show in Germany.

Wayne, are you sure that comp has 3 cyl's?? In the pic it looks like 2 cyl's and a tube coil.
If it does have 3 cyl's it for sure has my interest.

[Humdinger]

I'm pretty sure there is a first stage piston and it is below where the black air intake filter is in the photo.  It is mounted behind the water separator tower which you can see in the picture.   I originally posted this photo on another forum but have not been able to get any information from SPA about it, nor have I seen any articles on other websites.   It looks like a direct drive model based upon a Bauer Jr. II dive compressor .  If it is it would be a great option if it is priced competitively.  My only concern would be if SPA gets Nimrodair to become the distributor for the U.S market.  That would mean service is a big question mark for buyers.

[tennx]

Well Ive narrowed my choice down either the large Air Venturi or the smaller nomad....good luck on your choice...

[wimpanzee]

Well Ive narrowed my choice down either the large Air Venturi or the smaller nomad....good luck on your choice...

I'm back into the search as well, since the expected date for the AirForce e-pump at pyramyd got pushed back (again) to May 20.

I'm looking hard at the AV 110v compressor, but I could swing a carrette from Joe B. just as easy.

Does anyone have a direct comparison or experience with both of those? Ideally I would like to be able to run it from my truck, either the 12v DC from the battery(neither of which the av or carrette can do), or toting a 2000w inverter generator along to the range. Obviously I would prefer not to tote the generator, but I can and will if it means a full afternoon with the big bore.

My calculations (15A at 110v) show the AV unit pulling 1650watts, I think my generator could manage that - its a 2000w Wen unit, rated for 2000w surge and 1600w run. But just barely. Does anyone know the amperage of the carrette?

[triggertreat]

Many choices for sure.  In my view, carrying a compressor around to top off a gun or two is just not the ideal way to go.  There's nothing like having a 4500 psi bottle along on the hunting trip or outing.  I just took a 30 minute tank on a two-week hunting trip and had plenty of air and it was quick to top off my gun back at camp.  I shot less than 30 shots per day with my .25 cal Synrod at 56 FPE, but did top off each day.  I could have done a lot more shooting based on the tank gauge, but I was mainly hunting.  The 30 minute tank will last for many days and my other 60 minute tank will last for weeks.  The 30 minute tank is much smaller than the 60 minute and is easier to travel with, but neither is bad.  Having to deal with a compressor on the hunt just to top off sounds like a lot of excess trouble especially if you have to bring along a water bucket too.  Tanks rule!

[watersteps]

Heard anything about the ModAir ??

[Tims229]

This is what I use and have not had any problems.  There are many youtube videos showing how to rebuild if needed.

https://www.precisionairgunsandsupplies.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=Omega-Pneumatics-EZ-Fill-4500

[watersteps]

That looks like a great compressor. Thank You
I will keep this one in mind.

[txrpls]

I Received my AV yesterday. It was not supposed to be here until Monday. Whoot! I had to wait until today to get some Royal Purple Compressor Oil and Royal Purple Ice. I filled the oil reservoir and the Purple Ice water mixture. When I was filling the oil I was thinking "seems like they could afford to supply a better cap that a plastic plug for the oil in the crankcase. So I fired it up and went through the break-in procedure. I was reading the manual and noticed in the diagram an oil filter breather cap. About that time a loud pop and the plastic cap went flying off along with a fine spray of compressor oil. What a mess! I definitely did not RTFM in detail. Definitely, an ID10T mistake as we say at work. I cleaned up the mess and checked the oil level and started over. I did the pressure cutoff test and all is well. I know better than this! 

[triggertreat]

Congrats on the AV!  I really like mine.  "If you are not making mistakes, you are not doing anything".