AusVarmint

Ok just pondering(working out the cost)about PCP's and the cost to setup for one.I rang the local dive shop and asked the question about getting cylinders filled and the requirements and he replied with the following.
Can fill to 300-350 bar depending on cylinder,dive cylinders need certifiying every 12 months and costs $30,to fill dive bottle the person presenting it needs to have a dive certificate...........bit flexable on this.
Now he advised me to source a high pressure industrial cylinder,certified every 5 years,dont need dive license and can get near any size.
Is there anything else I should be taking into account with regards to setting up.


Regards Chris.

chris.tyne wrote:Ok just pondering(working out the cost)about PCP's and the cost to setup for one.I rang the local dive shop and asked the question about getting cylinders filled and the requirements and he replied with the following.
Can fill to 300-350 bar depending on cylinder,dive cylinders need certifiying every 12 months and costs $30,to fill dive bottle the person presenting it needs to have a dive certificate...........bit flexable on this.
Now he advised me to source a high pressure industrial cylinder,certified every 5 years,dont need dive license and can get near any size.
Is there anything else I should be taking into account with regards to setting up.


Regards Chris.

Chris,
I always sent people to Dive Dive Dive up here.They're shooters and know their stuff.

Lewis

Where are you mate?

I've never had problems filling my tank at any dive shop. In conversation I usually mention what it's for and have never been asked for a dive cert. In fact, you can probably tell pretty easily that my tank has never been in salt water.

I got the biggest highest pressure that I could get, a 100cuf 300bar Faber steel tank. Cost me about $450, but I think they are substantially more than that now. Be aware that there are two types of fitting in dive tanks...DIN and K valve (or yoke). DIN are for high pressure (300bar), the K you'll find on lower pressure tanks (200-230 bar). Just to make things complicated you can get a 232bar DIN fitting that wont fit a 300bar cylinder however the 300bar DIN will fit a 232bar DIN.

When buying your fill gear, look at Blackpool airguns: http://www.airgunbuyer.com/Showproducts ... 0Equipment

I've had stuff sent over and its well worth it. There are a few other options from the UK but in my dealings the saving have been substantial. Maybe things have changed here since in terms of pricing, so just compare your prices. I do like to support local, but it's your call. The microbore hoses are a joy to use versus the fat stiff hoses that I've seen on most fill set ups here.

If you can get away with it, I'd get anything above 230bar. You don't have many fills in these lower pressure tanks. If you are going to outlay for a tank, your most of the way there cost wise so spring for the biggest, highest pressure you can get. My tank is still going strong way way way after all the other blokes with their 207bar and 230 bar tanks are only into part fills. I only wish we could get the carbon fiber tanks like in the states. I had one and it was much nicer to lug around.

The problem with industrial cylinders is you may end up only being able to rent them from the big companies like BOC and Air Liquide and they wont fill cylinders that they don't own, nor will the sell you one. Their money is made in rentals. As a home brewer (for CO2 tanks) I've been through this discussion many times over with other brewers looking to get into kegging their beer and they charge around $100+ for rental each year. Up to you to run the numbers and see if you think its worth it.

The real joy in PCP rifles is being able to fill from a scuba tank for no effort. I know it's hard to swallow but it is worth the cost. Pumping would get old real quick. If you can get a tank do it. It's just part of the cost of PCPs unfortunately but they are a lot of fun to shoot and their accuracy is awesome.

JD

Trapper I am on the mid north coast of NSW,JD thanks for the info as it's very helpfull and also mirrors what Jason at Dive,Dive,Dive told me today.
Now I have never heard of Dive,Dive,Dive till Lewis mentioned them so I gave them a ring and spoke to Jason,well Jason was/is a very,very helpfull bloke who obviously knows his stuff and I would not hesitate to purchase from him or their business.



Regards Chris.

Chris,
I bought a used steel 6L 300BAR cylinder for $200 from these guys:

All Woods Breathing Services
21-23 Paul St
Mooroolbark VIC

The guy tested, filled and stamped it for me before I picked it up, so it's good for 5 years before the next test. They don't accept credit cards tho, so that might be a problem for you buying from NSW. It's bloody heavy too, so freight might be exy.

I get about 12 fills of my 400cc buddy bottle before the pressure has dropped to 200BAR. If you can afford a bigger cylinder get one, because it costs the same to fill regardless of size.

An interesting point re 300BAR cylinders: the steel ones last forever. the carbon fibre ones have a 15 year life then they have to be thrown away. Most users of breathing apparatus are upgrading to CF cylinders, hence the relatively cheap price for used steel ones.