Dive bottle or compressor for FAC air?

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Woodlander

Woodlander

Well-Known Member
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Just bought an Airwolf, also have a sub 12 HW100 and rarely used paintball guns, so considering a cheap compressor.
I already have a dive bottle, though out of test, so wondering how many fills people are getting out of a bottle before it needs refilled. Won’t be using the air guns a huge amount, but might in the long run be cost effective to buy a compressor, as the reviews on < £200 Chinese ones seem good.
Any advice.
Thanks
 
£200 Compressor divided by an £8 refill = 25... 2 refills per winter for me that's over 12 years of hassle free air gunning for me.
I shoot about 3000 rats on an average year, sometimes more.
 
Watching this with interest. I'm in two minds on this as well. I have an out-of-date bottle and keep considering a compressor for convenience.

The problem is, budget models get such mixed reviews that I start eyeing up higher end options like the Hills compressor instead. Are any of the cheaper ones worth it, or is it better to invest in a quality model from the start?
 
I have a stirrup pump, it has served me for over twenty years. Now I have three boys shooting too I would end up with arms like a gorilla just to keep up. I am curious what is better between a compressor and dive bottle.
 
Woodlander said:
Just bought an Airwolf, also have a sub 12 HW100 and rarely used paintball guns, so considering a cheap compressor.
I already have a dive bottle, though out of test, so wondering how many fills people are getting out of a bottle before it needs refilled. Won’t be using the air guns a huge amount, but might in the long run be cost effective to buy a compressor, as the reviews on < £200 Chinese ones seem good.
Any advice.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Having tested cylinders (yes was qualified) and pumped a lot of air filling them, the key was good filtration which make the air dry as it is breathing air. The dry air (no moisture) keeps the tanks clean inside, just the same in spray shops air tools you don't want water.
Air gun 200cc bottles are ally and cut a couple of old ones open! Not good, they are filled to 200 bar so keeping them in good nick with dry air is the key.
Top end pressure is what you want so a 300 bar fill bottle takes a good while to equalize to your 200 max fill.
232 takes less!
The maths is not hard but...
 
A compressor should be serviced every year, just like a car engine. Add that to the cost.
I prefer a bottle, less space and if you get a 300 bar 15 litre. That is 4,500 litres of air. That’s a lot., just don’t over fill your airrifle as they are not designed to take that much.
 
FWIW id say make sure whatever source you use, make sure you air has been properly cleaned and dried.
 
Been using small transportable 240/12v compressor now for approximately 5 years, which replaced the use of my dive bottles.
This allows me to fill my rifles at pressure required (350ft lbs) whenever I need to, it also saves me a 40 mile trip to get the bottles filled.
The bottles do not get used now so should really look at selling them on.
 
Woodlander said:
That would be useful. Can you remember the name of it?
Click to expand...
Hello, That would be the Gilbert Distribution L 3 and they had on special offer, £400 without batteries, £460 with Batteries , Also there is a new Power option GX L 3 for home filling £70 Give them a call Monday as you may be lucky 01593 860 323, Keep us posted if you buy one as might help other SD members PS it looks a good unit but as with all these compressors it is the long term use but Gilberts have been in the PCP compressor Industry many years
 
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I read this thread on airgunforums.co.uk about filters best suited to different pumps

Heads up Vevor compressor

Then I bought this pump for £160
https://www.amazon.co.uk/TUXING-Compressor-Water-Free-Set-Pressure-Transformer/dp/B0BZPGKK2H

And this filter for £25
30Mpa,4500PSI PCP Compressor Oil Water Separator High Pressure Air Pump-Filter | eBay

And a whip off best fittings for £20 I think.

£200 for a 240v/12v pump and the best filters didn't seem like much. Charges my rifle in under 5 minutes
 
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Buy a pump. It ain’t that hard and unless you have some sort of disability it provides pretty good exercise!
 
Dive bottle . These cheap compressors will give up in no time , plus you will need extra moisture filter's . At least from a dive bottle you know it’s clean air
 
Woodlander said:
Just bought an Airwolf, also have a sub 12 HW100 and rarely used paintball guns, so considering a cheap compressor.
I already have a dive bottle, though out of test, so wondering how many fills people are getting out of a bottle before it needs refilled. Won’t be using the air guns a huge amount, but might in the long run be cost effective to buy a compressor, as the reviews on < £200 Chinese ones seem good.
Any advice.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Get a hand stirrup pump and cancel your gym membership, double win 👍👍
 
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