Q:

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.

General Chat

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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.

You might wanna check out Joe Brancoto over on the Yellow

If your dive shop can fill 4500 psi

Get aa used carbon fiber 4500 psi

That will only do you good if you can fill it

SAW

Thanks for the info. I called Pyramyd and they are paying for the return. The tech said the “3rd stage O-ring” was likely the problem, and they would test it out thoroughly before shipping it back repaired.

I’ll be buying a scuba tank soon, likely a 100 aluminum used and post 1988. Seems most dive shops won’t touch a tank made before 1988 if the serial # starts with a “P” for Luxfer, who made alum tanks of questionable metal and expansion issues. I am hoping to find a galvanized steel 100, but the cost is usually a lot more. But with the economy there may be more tanks available at more reasonable prices, you’d think at least. Thanks for all the info?

I would think you could buy one
Just like I did with my o2 for the keg
Not like you fill it on the spot
they just swap with ya
You should go to the welding shop and get some info
I do know the tank you want is 6000 psi and about 4 1/2′
tall
ginormous amount of go go juice

SAW

I see, you rent, not so bad if the capacity is as high as you say.

You gotta talk with someone more knowledgable

At the time I almost went the nitrogen route

I believe you have to dump $300 or so on a reg.
To do it right

Some guys go without, wouldn’t reccomend it

Also you have to rent the tank,
that’s what turned me away

Otherwise nitrogen is perfectly fine if not better

Plus you rent a big bad ass cylinder that would last you a looooong time

Hang in there, someone who knows what it takes will chime in on this

I think our very own Mr. Wok has some know how

On the matter

Later

SAW

SAW… if I needed nitrogen… would they fill a DIN 3500psi SCUBA with the correct connector?

How comfy are Nitrogen shops with filling a SCUBA?

and is the Nitrogen filtered for moister?

My AF pump has lasted me 2 years now

Haven’t used it in about a year though

Ya gotta definetly go easy with them

After a year of pumping by hand, I went with a 3000

steel tank and finally went with a CF setup

What does all this mean ?

Well just Get a CF tank from the get go

If you don’t have a place to fill then go with nitrogen

welding shops are everywhere

Pumping is for chumps

SAW

SAW

😆 😎 💡

After a half hour of scuba diving you want to drink a gallon of water!
Its the best and easiest air source period.

How often does the dry pack need replacing?

My 4th AF Pump has lasted the longest as I haven’t opened the box yet. I haven’t the need since I got a Hill with Dry Pack.

I’ve pumped over 100 strokes continuous with the Hill with Dry pack and it keeps on working. Don’t get me wrong, you still have to learn to pause a second or two at top and bottom of the stroke or you will feel the o-ring chatter or roll over.

Also with the dry pack you don’t have to bleed the moisture out and let it cool every 40 strokes or less. With the Hill pump I stop because I need a rest. And I get right back to it in a few minutes.

I won’t know if my repaired replacement-repaired replacement- 3rd replacement AF pump is finally a good one until my Hill pump quits from old age.

Not the valve in the base, the valve in the pump.

If you have a dive shop nearby then seriously consider a 3500psi Steel tank. I know it costs a lot but it lasts me a couple of months and only takes $5 to fill up. I drive further to get my BBQ LP Tanks filled at a commercial filling station. I will never go back to a pump.

I plink with a 1600psi fill, and 7gn match pistol wadcutters, making my scuba tank last even longer.

I’ve heard good things about the Hill Pump… also consider getting a moisture filter. If you SCUBA dive you’ll know just how dry filtered air is… that’s also good for your AF tanks.

Your pump is breaking down just like mine did, or I should say the last three AF pumps I had in one month.

That up stroke is a killer, I sent my first one back twice, they replaced it twice, the third time it broke, I got my money back. This was all in just a few months all together, and I was only using it to top off the tanks on the last two.

I repeat, that thing is broken is why it is doing that, relieveing valves will not work, you need to send it back and either get a tank to fill from or get a HIll pump or even a FX.

The AF and the Benj. pumps seem to be shit.
And yes it will hurt your back

Roachcreek

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