Electric or Mobile?.

[zoom40]

I want to ask the guys that use this alot more than we would this question..

If you were purchasing a "mobile air filling station" would you use a mobile gas compresor on the trailor? Or would you buy a stationary Electric Compressor that naturally would stay at the station? Considering we have a 5 bank Cascade system on the trailor with 6000 PSI DOT Bottles?..


Pro's and Con's? Experience with each ? This is a tough decision to make for me?. Seems all the sales pple have different opinions. :confused:

[BFDLT32]

I am assuming that you only have the money for one or the other. We tried the trailer deal with an in-station compressor for many years. The problem we ran into was the limited supply in the trailer. This was especially true when we and neighboring cities went to high pressure SCBA's. With the low pressure bottles we could fill 75-80 bottles without a problem. With high pressure bottles we could only fill 20-25. Since that time we have purchased a multi-jurisdictional unit that responds to 14 cities. This unit has not only air but lights, and initial rehab supplies. It works well and all the departments involved are pleased with the response and capabilities of the unit. In addition we have the unit set up with an electrical shore line so we can run the unit in the station and not worry about the CO levels.

If possible it may be a good idea to do a multi-jurisdictional purchase. Get more bang for the buck.

The advantage we have is we still have the trailer and in-station compressor for day-to-day operations. The mobile unit can be used in the station in the event of a failure of the other unit.

If you would like more information on our unit PM me and I will provide the manufactures information.

[doughesson]

We have a five bank cascade system that also responds to EMS calls and when our mutual aid departments request it.
I find it interesting that any scuba air tank can be filled anywhere in the world but if you spec out an air truck to refill your SCBAs,it has to be brand specific to MSA,Scott or any other brand of SCBA hoses.
Shouldn't there be a standard thread type for the hose fittings so any system can be used to refill them?Given that we are in the job of back ups and emergency procedures,this seems logical.

[Res343cue]

We have a five bank cascade system that also responds to EMS calls and when our mutual aid departments request it.
I find it interesting that any scuba air tank can be filled anywhere in the world but if you spec out an air truck to refill your SCBAs,it has to be brand specific to MSA,Scott or any other brand of SCBA hoses.
Shouldn't there be a standard thread type for the hose fittings so any system can be used to refill them?Given that we are in the job of back ups and emergency procedures,this seems logical.

Hmmm. A neighboring department has Interspiro SCBA. They also have a cascade unit. They've filled our MSA bottles, and I've seen them fill Scott bottles too.

[oldchief]

Gas fumes from a protable fill station worry me that is if it is prowered by a gas engine

[doughesson]

Okay,I admit I based that on the word of one of our officers who said that it is "either/or" and not "one size fits all".
This guy also believes that since his radio is hotwired to the alternator,the faster the engine is going the more range his radio has.

Hmmm. A neighboring department has Interspiro SCBA. They also have a cascade unit. They've filled our MSA bottles, and I've seen them fill Scott bottles too.

[zoom40]

Yes, we have to choose one or the other..

I just heard bad things about compressors mounted to tounge of mobile air trailors.. We have a guy who is great at fabricating.. He assured me he could make the mobile compressor very secure to the trailor..
Gas fumes are a concern. From what I have read there are instruments you must buy and attach to monitor the levels.. Thanks for the info..

[BFDLT32]

I find it interesting that any scuba air tank can be filled anywhere in the world but if you spec out an air truck to refill your SCBAs,it has to be brand specific to MSA,Scott or any other brand of SCBA hoses.
Shouldn't there be a standard thread type for the hose fittings so any system can be used to refill them?Given that we are in the job of back ups and emergency procedures,this seems logical.

Unless you are using a bottle that is manufactured in another world all SCBA's have the same threads on the bottle.

I was going to say something about a Drager unit but I did not want to here the rath of Sansom :D

[N2DFire]

Hey Zoom,
I talked a similar idea over with the guy who does the work on our current compressor (It is electric and I was planning on adding in a generator some additional storage bottles and making a mobile system out of it).

His suggestion (for that particular compressor) was to leave it in the station and just use the cascade bottles in the trailer due to the fact that the compressor wasn't designed / meant for the harsh treatment that rattling it around on the road would produce.

Just food for though - ask the sales rep. about your intended use before you purchase a compressor (also remember that not all roads/driveways you might want to drag the trailer up are paved and *smooth* - remind the rep of that too).

My vote is cascade only on the trailer for the above reasons and the fact that by dropping the compressor you either end up with a smaller/lighter trailer that's easier to get from place to place -or- you get room for more spare SCBA cylinder storage on the larger trailer.

[mcaldwell]

I was going to say something about a Drager unit but I did not want to here the rath of Sansom :D

Yeah, cuz Draegar bottles fill themselves upon request. ;) :D

The only difference these days is the new Scott quick-connects. I have not seen how they plug into existing compressors/cascades.

[Dave1983]

Okay,I admit I based that on the word of one of our officers who said that it is "either/or" and not "one size fits all".
This guy also believes that since his radio is hotwired to the alternator,the faster the engine is going the more range his radio has.


No, that is incorrect. We have Scotts, some area departemnts have other brands and we can fill thier bottles and they can fill ours.

Besides, after his radio/alternator comment, I wouldnt pay much attention to anything he says. ;)

[EFD840]

Okay,I admit I based that on the word of one of our officers who said that it is "either/or" and not "one size fits all".
This guy also believes that since his radio is hotwired to the alternator,the faster the engine is going the more range his radio has.

Now that's scary. I hope he's just messing with you - around here it is stuff like checking the engine's spark plugs.

If he's serious, you might want to watch yourself around him because it doesn't sound like he's the sharpest tool in the shed.

As everyone else has said, they're absolutely one size fits all.