Pump Problems….
I just got a hand pump for my Talon. Bought the 1/4 AirForce adapter to attach directly to the pump’s 1/4 fitting just above the gauge. New gun, new tank, new pump, new to AirForce and pumps…
I know it’s hard pumping, and takes both up and down strokes to complete a single cycle. I always hear how after 2000 psi/150 bar etc it gets to be a real workout. Well the down stroke is pretty easy, but the up stroke is KILLING ME! Seems like no air is getting into the pump, and a huge spring is stopping me. And the gauge says 50 bar! I’m 5,9 and 210#, and not a weakling, but I think I’ll pop a disc in my back or rupture a ab muscle pulling up so much. Advise? Scuba tank, yes, on my list.
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An AL has a service life of 15 years, which is why you’re finding it hard to get one serviced of that age. Steel is rated for 40 years, assuming its been looked after.
Steel has the advantage of a 3500psi fill. Use the AirHog calculator to compare the values, http://www.airhog.com/tank.htm , here’s an example:
* 8 Fills – starting 2600psi, ending 1500psi, AL 80cu ft 3000 psi
* 20 Fills – starting 2600psi, ending 1500psi, Steel 100cu ft 3500 psi
So you get 2.5x more fills with Steel vs Al and 40 years vs 15 years of life… or put another way… you can find a 2nd hand steel at 50% of its life and still have more usage than a brand new AL tank. Plus you make 2.5 times less trips to get it filled.
Can you see where I’m leaning with this…. I bought a 2nd Steel with 20 years remaining and find that it never seems to run out. When it does my dive shop tops it off while I wait and I go home with air that costs the same as a trip to Wendy’s.
Try and avoid 80cuft 3000psi AL tanks if you can… stepping up to 100cuft 3500psi steel is a massive increase in performance for a modest sum.