why are air filters so expensive
- Thread starter wfopig
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scubastingray
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why not ask here?
Compressors, Boosters and Nitrox/Trimix Blending Systems
Compressors, Boosters and Nitrox/Trimix Blending Systems
Not sure if this is a good parallel, but pool filters cost about 1/3 online as opposed to a retail supplier. Possibly worth checking out.
Now that I think about it, sounds sort of like dive gear pricing ....
Now that I think about it, sounds sort of like dive gear pricing ....
Suck it up, cupcake - the least expensive new scuba compressor out there is around $3k. Even if you wind up spending another $1,000 on proper filtration, it's still a hell of a deal for $150; assuming it's in serviceable condition and is in fact a breathing air compressor. =)
I personally have 15" and a 35" filter towers on a 4CFM compressor, which is a 'better than average' filtration setup. Some have more, a lot have less. The filtration and plumbing ran somewhere around $2k, but I feel it was well worth it. Read any number of articles about the dangers of inadequate filtration and poor fill station design and you'll quickly realize this is NOT an area in which you want to skimp.
The actual filter cartridges aren't that expensive and run $40-75 or so, depending on the size and media type. If that's what you're concerned about... it's a pretty minimal cost to begin with, but repacking filters may be an option that can help you squeeze maybe another penny or so out of the per CF fill cost. Unless you're a high volume user who blows through filters, it may not be worth the effort.
-B
I personally have 15" and a 35" filter towers on a 4CFM compressor, which is a 'better than average' filtration setup. Some have more, a lot have less. The filtration and plumbing ran somewhere around $2k, but I feel it was well worth it. Read any number of articles about the dangers of inadequate filtration and poor fill station design and you'll quickly realize this is NOT an area in which you want to skimp.
- Compressed breathing air – the potential for evil from within
- Divers, How Clean is Your Air? (EPA, Unit 10 Dive Unit)
- Understanding Scuba Compressors and Filtration
- Filter System Design
The actual filter cartridges aren't that expensive and run $40-75 or so, depending on the size and media type. If that's what you're concerned about... it's a pretty minimal cost to begin with, but repacking filters may be an option that can help you squeeze maybe another penny or so out of the per CF fill cost. Unless you're a high volume user who blows through filters, it may not be worth the effort.
-B
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buy the Oxyhackers Companion, read it. I also HIGHLY recommend you find someone on one of the technical boards that is local to help you figure that whole thing out. Not sure if the compressor was being used currently, but there is a whole can of worms trying to deal with your own compressor. I'm not trying to discourage you, I have one and wouldn't trade it for the world, but you have to be awfully careful with them. I still have a buddy at a local VFD that I get my tanks filled at regularly to avoid fiddling with my Rix
I can tell, its a very poor picture but from what I can see are you sure you didn't just buy yourself a cheap $150 low pressure air compressor, fit only for spray painting and filling car tyres maximum pressure say 200 psi. For filling scuba you need around a three stage pump for 3000 psi. Now with a better picture of that pump we could see more, I cant see any more than one vertical stage in your photo but it may be its a Chinese low pressure block fitted with 3 HP pistons added in a W formation its you just cant tell from that photo.
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Looks like a yoke fill whip on the floor and I see three stages. Now what I would love to do is convince him to trade the electric motor for a gas one so I can snag it for my rix since it isn't being towed around anymore
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