Theoben Rapid Forum

This was just dropped off at my Doorstep last night!
A bright and shiny new Hill's EC3000 compressor!
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill1.jpg)

This to supplement my Big Alkins W31 compressor
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/compressor/websize/full.jpg)

I was looking at a problem with my New Impact M3....
When I get my 300 bar 580cc botttle for it..
I can only get ONE good Fill from my 310bar(4500psi) tank!
And I don't feel like lugging out my W31 from the garage tp fill my CF tank.
Every time I need to charge up the M3.

So I could setup a Cascade tank system....
Using 2 310 bar tanks, one to fill the majority of the bottle.
Then a second to top it off to pressure wanted!
But still I would only get a few fill before needing to get my Big compressor out to fill  the top-off bottle!!

I was looking at the going price of a new 310bar(4500psi)CF Tank...
Then decided to look into the new Hill's pump...
Well for a couple hundred of dollars$$ more than a second tank, the EC3000 matched my needs!!
I would use my CF tank to do the bulk of the filling.
Then the EC3000 would do the Top Off!! to 300bar!!(which it rated to!)

More photos to follow when I get the chance to set her UP!!

Stuart

I have a Hills it's an excellent bit of kit , I use it to fill the guns and a 3 ltr carbon cylinder Imuse for top ups when I'm out

Yes had 1 a while now ,does what it says a great bit of kit bought during lockdown as couldn't get air from dive shop

Here is a small Photo Update on my EC3000..
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill2.jpg)

(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill3.jpg)

(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill4.jpg)

In this last photo, these are the bottles of lube that comes with the EC3000.
The Red oil is the Crankcase oil.
The Clear oil is the silicone oil for internal lubrication of the compression pistons and seals.
BTW.. The red oil goes into the red capped crankcase! The Clear silicone oil goes into the Blue capped reservoir.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill51.jpg)

Hopefully I get to start her up tomorrow.....
But I have some machining to do for Her in the CNC mill!!

Stuart

Well my Little Hill's Compressor is complete!
I had to fire up my CNC mill and machine out some mounts for an auxiliary water separator/purifier.
This will add another water separator.
It also has contains a molecular sieve material and filter pads. To keep the air dry and Clean too!
Another feature it has is a Pressure maintaining valve..
This will allow the separator to reach an operating pressurize up to about 150bar, before any Air will flow down the hose!
This helps the molecular sieve to do it's job..removing any water vapor...

Here is the machining of the aluminum base mount for the Separator.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Separator1.jpg)

I then drilled, cut, and tapped the top part where the hole is for the Tube frame for the Hill's compressor.
To create a clamp.
Secured with 2 10-32 cap screws..
The Purifier is secured to this base by a single 8mm cap screw.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Separator41.jpg)

So the bottom silver fitting is the water purge valve.
The small brass bleed valve near the top is to bleed any pressure in the fill hose.
Since there is that pressure maintaining valve.
The hose will still be under pressure even if you release all the pressure through the water purge valve!!
Finally the Large top adjustment screw. This where you can adjust the  bypass pressure of the pressure Maintaining Valve!!
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Separator51.jpg)

She is running Great..
Now I need to get that 580cc 300bar bottle.....

Stuart

Well just like all my Rapids...and my M3.
There is nothing like improving on the design....
While I have added a second purifier with molecular sieve.
I saw a need for more Air movement!
To keep things cool and help with the moisture separation..
So I added a second 12vdc brushless fan with twin ball bearings.

(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill%20aux%20fan1.jpg)
(https://photos.imageevent.com/scl_electronics/gun/hillcompressor/websize/Hill%20aux%20fan2.jpg)

With 2 fans blowing air on the cylinder assembly helps a lot in keeping things Cool!


Stuart

Thought i was looking into my lads desktop computer for a second ;)
Stay cool

Atb
Steve
RAPIDFIRE