Compressor on Board

[Erikte]

Hi again

Today I have had a longer phone conversation with Mr. Bernt Wagner from Lenhardt & Wagner GmbH and have discussed the problem with compressors mounted in sail boats (or other boats for that matter).

Concerning incline they have don a big test for the French Navy and all theirs compressors can run with up to 28 degrees incline at all direction (with oil level at full).

They can also make the compressors run with belt direct from the engine, they calculate the required rpm and diameter of the drive wheel. So one don’t have to use hydraulic. He has this system in his rib with inboard engine.

They also make what ever mounting frame necessary.

He would recommend a 100 minute litre compressor for a max of 4 scuba divers and bigger ones for larger groups.

L&W compressors can run for long time with 45 degrees Celsius (don’t know what that is in Fahrenheit) [sic: about 113 deg F]

So the biggest concern after my opinion (after price then) will be cooling or fresh air.

Price examples on the compressors (with electric motors, cheaper without off course)

LW 100 E and E1 Euro 2.165,-
LW 160 E Euro 3.750,-
LW 225 E Euro 4.340,-

This is price direct from factory complete with frame, filters and one filling hose with manometers and so one.

Extra filling hose approx Euro 189,- (as many as one likes).

Price on other brands is higher in Norway (since we need to bay them form importers) and I think you will find them at lower price in yours countries.

I am a service technician for many brands but I like the L&W best this is do to the fact that they use standard pipes and connectors like inches and millimetres, some other brands use special pipes and connectors made only for them. That gives without saying higher prices on replacement parts and longer delivery time. I like the option of shopping for many parts at the locale hardware store. And since one can order from the factory L&W parts (or to factory price from the dive centre) the prices is much lower even on special parts like valves.

Erik

Hope i have not break any roules by putting price examples here.....

[Erikte]

What system do you have for the scuba compressor on your boat (for filling scuba tanks)?

[Erikte]

Is there anybody out here with compressors on their boats?

What brand and capacity, and how many bottles do you have for scuba diving?

Erik

[jacob30]

What size generator to run a Bauer JR II E1-Y 3.2 HP 2.2 KW? Would three phase be better or 1 phase?

Thread back from the dead!

Thanks

[Erikte]

Sorry can little about generators but in Europe a 10 amps 2,2 kw 1 phase is enough

Erik

[Palarran]

8 kw


.

[Zanshin]

I have just come out of discussions with Bauer and Fischer Panda. I have a Fischer Panda LPE5000 generator, which puts out 4.8KVa continuous at 220V. FP informed me that the generator has no trouble running the Bauer Junior II single phase but that the startup power surge is the big problem and they recommend against that combination. Then I mentioned that I've got a Victron inverter/charger which detects power surges and can augment the 220V supply with additional amps inverted from the batteries. With that combination FP stated that they have no worries on the installation.

That being said, a 3-phase installation if the genset outputs that would be preferable in any case.

I am thinking of a new boat with an Onan genset and they offer a power take-off (PTO) unit with hydraulic clutch which would have more than enough torque to drive the Bauer Junior II, but the factory reps I spoke with recommended that I use an electric motor for the compressor as the genset really isn't meant to put out that much power from the PTO.

[Troubadour52993]

I have decided to forgo the compressor while cruising the Bahamas/Caribbean. I am never more than a few days from a fill station, and even at $14 a fill in the Abacos, it'll take a LOOOOONG time to justify the cost of a compressor. Given maintenance costs, I would probably never recoup the investment.

If I could anchor off of PNG and dive every day for a month in the middle of nowhere, then the "costs" might trade off, but that's a dream in the future.

We are diving PST E7 HP steel tanks, 2 100s and 2 80s onboard. They are about the size of aluminum 80s and 60s respectively, and have much better buoyancy characteristics. No problems so far, just went through the first re-hydro on the 100s this year.

[Glenn C]

Having spent a couple of years cruising PNG & the Solomons and then living on Bougainville Island for a couple more years in the 80's I can definitely recommend the diving. We have dived other places, including Malaysia, GBR & bahamas and nothing has come close to PNG . A jnr Bauer and gen set to run it is at the top of our list for our next boat and revisit of that part part of the world. Glenn

[Matt sachs]

Thanks for reviving this old thread. I'll be installing a compressor a 50ft Roberts steel hull I'm refitting. Lots of good info here.
I plan to teach a few scuba classes form her, but likely she will be used just for the guys to go out and dive on the weekends. A friend has a nitrogen membrane that he is willing to part with. Are there any issues with using these on a boat??

[Erikte]

No problems,

but if it is for putting more oxygen (higher oxygen %, eg nitrox 28% or more) through the compressor so remember that many old compressors (and compressor oil brands) may explode if the membrane fails and you are getting a higher oxygen %.

New compressors like L&W and some Bauer (with special compressor oils) is made for this type of operations.

Also remember if you would like to charge air when you are sailing (under way) the different brand of compressors has very different degree of incline they tolerate.

If you are wondering on anything feel free to ask I am currently service technician for L&W, Bauer, Poseidon, Coltri and 4 more brands, and don't sell any of them so will try to give you my honest opinion.

Would love to be in your shoes now, to go sailing and scuba diving....

[Matt sachs]

Thanks. I'm not to that point yet, but I will be soon. As you can see I still have a bit of work to do.

[Steve Strand]

Erikte:
We are looking for a very small compressor to carry on the catamaran that we are currently building. Any suggestions?
thanks
Steve

[Erikte]

Hi Steve,

A good brand compressor like Bauer or L&W should do the work.

A cheaper brand can also do the trick, but I would be concerned about spear parts and how long it will last (eg. fillings).

On a catamaran incline will not be a problem, but heat can, also consider placement and high noise when charging. Also consider running the compressor on a petrol or diesel engine or by electric current from a generator.

If I have a generator (before consider compressor) I would have a electric compressor.

If I don´t have a generator i would consider a special compressor with diesel engine and mufflers (silencers).

But for a very small one here in Europa and if charging only 200 Bar max, i would bay a Coltri (and only if you will not be charging more than 2-4 bottles a day, and less than 10-12 a week). The smallest one cost approx 1.000,- Euro here. But they dont charge 300 Bar (I know the factory states it but I have never seen one do that....) and they dont last forever, if used much. But since the compressor block is in aluminium they are very light. And come with a good (small) honda engine (petrol) or 10 amp 220volt engine. (110 volt in US). 37 kg with Honda engine.

One of many links to coltri :

MCH6/SH - Aerotecnica Coltri Asia Pacific

and factory link:

Aerotecnica Coltri - Portable Compressors - MCH-6/SH

Feel free to ask more, or specify more what your requirement are.

Sorry for some bad english, but i try

Erik

[Steve Strand]

Thanks Erikte:
We have an old Bauer that was on our last big monohull, but it needs a larger generator than we will have on the cat and is pretty heavy. The small unit you told us about seems ideal for the occasional use we will have for it. Now I just have to determine how to figure out the size generator that I will need to use the compressor.
cheers
Steve