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Post by JES on Mar 2, 2007 5:56:56 GMT -8
Here's a question from tcrbaker (a new member) for the compressor gurus on the board. All suggestions and/or recommendations are welcome. Hello to all. I just started diving again after a 30 year layoff. I still have (but don't use) my original Healthways Scubastar TD reg and Voit Duck Feet fins. I now dive in mostly shallow water with just a 14 cf 2000 psi pony tank on a pony pack. I use an spg but no octo as a shallow CESA is no real problem with a ten minute dive. I have been renting a 130 cf 3500 psi tank and using a double yoke hose assembly to fill my tanks. I would like to buy a Cornealus 130R1500 or similar compressor to fill my tanks at home or on the road. With this application the small the better, 2000 psi is fine and 110 volt electricity is necessary. Is there anyone out there who can point me in the right direction or help me out? Tim
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Post by Broxton Carol on Mar 2, 2007 6:09:14 GMT -8
Tim the 130R1500 is a hell of a compressor. I have owned three of the little beauties. They are rugged, and plug right into your wall plug. They easily do 3000 psi, but I always pumped vintage tanks to no more than 2500, so I would stay withwhat they were expected to do when new. I just sold one to a guy on the west coast, and he is well pleased with it. You wont go wrong with a cornelius.
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Post by tcrbaker on Mar 2, 2007 6:54:01 GMT -8
Thanks for the info Chuck. I am only planning to fill tanks to a max of 2250 psi. The 14 cf tanks that I am using now are rated for 2018 psi. My vintage dual 40s where made from life raft inflation tanks are rated for 2250 psi. Now, where do I find a 130r1500? As I do a lot of mechanical work and have machine shop capabilities available from a friend I would be willing to take on a project if necessary. Are there several basket cases out there that I can combine into a working unit? Regards Tim
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Post by Broxton Carol on Mar 2, 2007 7:02:04 GMT -8
I would watch ebay, and check "high pressure compressors" as well as "scuba compressors" They are on there once in a while. There was a fine electric horizontal 1950's cornelius missing the seperator, and filter, and attatchements that sold for 350.00 a few weeks ago. to get all the parts to finish it though would cost a LOT of money............... A R1500 will go near or better than 1000.00 everytime, depending on wether the filler apparatus and filter apparatus is there. These can be bought but are expensive.
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Post by sapperdale on Mar 3, 2007 6:45:19 GMT -8
I have 2 cornelius compressors that I feel will be just what you want. Email me at qmstores@eastlink.ca and i will send you pictures and cost. sapperdale
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Post by rcontrera on Mar 4, 2007 16:45:23 GMT -8
While the Cornelius is a cool little unit, brand new current stuff that pumps to 4500 psi and has all the latest filtration only runs about $2950. Use that figure when you are doing your negotiating.
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Post by tcrbaker on Mar 6, 2007 8:21:57 GMT -8
I would love to have a newer compressor and would prefer one if it was available in my price range and the compact size that I want. However, even a Bauer Junior sized compressor is larger than I need or want to lug around. Is the Bauer Purus much smaller than the Junior? It appears that the Purus is no longer being made as I don't see it in the Bauer catalog. Is it hard to find a good used Purus. Can someone fill me in on the cornelius 32R500. What is it's output in CFM and max psi? Does it run on 110 VAC or 28VDC? I only need .5 to 1.0 CFM with a max pressure of 2000 psi. I have available to me a 24 VDC power source on my boat so if there is a suitable DC powered compressor I could power it. So far, it seems to me that the cornelius 130R1500 is what I want. Any and all input appreciated. Tim
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Post by Broxton Carol on Mar 6, 2007 9:21:03 GMT -8
Over the years I have owned likely a dozen scuba compressors. Most I enjoyed fixing up and selling. Some got hard use on the vintage dives. The little 1500R is the best for an electric portable you can get. Now if you want a bauer, look for a purus. They are out there. I have owned perhaps 6 of them, and I still own one I use for dive trips. These little jobs are light enough one person can lift it. As long as you keep the filter clean, and the crankcase full of Anderol synthetic, they just run, and run, and run! I put a 3.5 hp briggs on mine to lighten it up. It came with a 5 hp briggs. Then I put a bigger pulley on it, so the engine can run it easily but not rev the hell out of it. It does about 100psi per minute into a steel 72. It easily fills 3000psi tanks to the 10% overload. I would never sell mine. I have owned 2 bauer juniors. You couldnt give me one. Its got a cheap plastic shroud on it that is easily damaged, and its got more complex parts on it. The filter on both though is easy to take apart and refill with charcoal. I filled 27 tanks at the vintage dive a couple years ago, and it didnt even sweat! I had several of the military cornelius radials, the one cyl flamethrower assy. You know what I mean. The engine was so weak it would hardly pump to 2500 psi. I sold them. A purus head assy sold on ebay last week for $550.00 It was NEW! But heres the catch. It will cost a small fortune to get the seperator and purifier, then a frame, and electric motor with reduction pulley for it. Then you need a fill whip, with shut off and guage. In short, buy a compressor in good shape, already fully equipted. My purus makes great air. Tasteless, never any trace of oil. I run it all year, and change the oil one time. It never leaks, or uses any oil. Good luck. BroxtonChuck
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Post by duckbill on Mar 6, 2007 9:46:30 GMT -8
tcrbaker, These are the stats I have in my notes regarding the 32R500: "32-R-500-8 .4 CFM, 1500 psi, (24 Volt DC), (27 Volt DC, 21 Amp. seen on tag)" If I remember correctly, these units are fairly forgiving on the voltage, so 24 volts may be fine, but don't quote me on that. You can rig a tandem motor, but as Chuck said, the overall cost may not make it worthwhile. If you like to tinker and take pride in things you made yourself, then maybe it is the project for you. But, consider the .4 cfm vs. the cost. The 130R1500 is a very nice unit if you find one in good operating condition. BTW, Dan has plans for making such conversions here, at the bottom of the page: www.vintagescubasupply.com/repro.html
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Post by tcrbaker on Mar 6, 2007 15:29:56 GMT -8
Thanks for the info on the 32R500. Please explain what you mean by a tandem motor. The .4 CFM would be fine for me as I am filling 14 cf tanks and am in no hurry. The 1500 psi is too low for my application. I thought I saw a posting that the 32R500 would pump to close to 3000 psi. If the DC motor is built into the unit, is the motor torque the limiting factor? I would prefer an integrated unit to keep things compact. I realize that a fill hose, filtration and a condensate trap will need to be added, but if the price for the compressor is right I can get the type of unit I want and still save $. I would prefer a 130R1500, but if that is not available I could live with a 32R500. To me the compact size is important. I wish someone would manufacture a compact 110 VAC compressor that would draw less than 20 amps. Less than 15 amps would be even better. It would seem that some company in the far east could bring such a unit to market for under $1000. I guess I am just dreaming. Tim
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Post by duckbill on Mar 6, 2007 15:58:49 GMT -8
I'm sorry. I should have been more specific. The information I have in my notes probably came from an ID plate. The units, as made, can achieve pressures much greater than what they were originally designed/rated for. The less the better, of course. 3000 is pushing the limits.
By "tandem motor", I mean a motor mouted vertically alongside the compressor, and a pulley affixed to both by which the motor turns the compressor drive. I don't know anything about the built-in DC motors' torque.
I believe that most of the smaller Cornelius compressor heads can be run by a 1/2 HP, 3450 rpm motor at around 10 amps. That is how mine came, made by Cornelius, and also how Dan's plans suggest. The pulley ratio would put the compressor rpm at near 10,000 rpm. Not really good for long-life, needless to say, but that is how they were configured back in the day. This is all found, along with instructions, in the brochure copy of Dan's which I mentioned. I highly recommend you get a copy. It has good tips.
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Post by Broxton Carol on Mar 18, 2007 5:29:56 GMT -8
Those of you interested in a small cornelius might check ebay number 230105944812. Here is a very original small cornelius portable. Note that the air goes straight from the seperator to the tank!!!!!!! No air purifier. It starts at $1000.00 but it will get no bids that way. If he started at one dollar, he would get lots of bids up up and up! This is part of our vintage dive history as the various big dive gear makers, and dealers sold these up through the early 60's! Hope you enjoy looking.
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Post by tcrbaker on Mar 19, 2007 16:30:59 GMT -8
The little Cornelius compressor on Ebay is just about what I am looking for. The listing says that it comes with three 18oz. bottles of activated carbon. From what I see there is no filter to use the carbon, am I correct? Is there an appropriate filter available to add to this unit? With the correct oil does it need filtration? Can someone tell me what is the correct output in cfm and max psi. And last of all, what is the fair market price for this compressor? All info and comments appreciated. Tim
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Post by Broxton Carol on Mar 19, 2007 16:56:54 GMT -8
that machine is complete as sold back in 56. They had a small capacity, i think about 1cfm or less. You could buy a cornelius purifier filter for a few bucks to filter the air. that one only has the seperator, which removes the condensation. They ran castor oil in them years ago or some medical grade oil. I always ran the synthetic in mine. It always made sweet air. I had a 1500 and it would fill a tank from empty in 40 minutes. The air capacity of that one is likely 2500 psi. If he would start at a dollar he would get bids, but its not worth that money. I would guess 6- to 750.00
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Post by tcrbaker on Mar 19, 2007 17:01:11 GMT -8
Hi Chuck, The info is much appreciated. What is the Cornelius purifier you mentioned and where is it available? Regards Tim
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