The RovAir compressor is a gun-only compressor that’s light, fast and inexpensive.
This report covers:
- Airgunners need connections
- More cobbling
- Failed again
- My plan
- Why?
- Summary
Today I tell you the saga of my RovAir compressor as only I can. I have both hated and loved this little air compressor since I first bought it a couple years ago. Believe it or not—you do need to know the history.
My first compressor seemed to fail after about 3-4 months of use. It would fill to 1400 psi and then stop. After some testing that is described in Part 2 of this report I sent the compressor back and got a replacement from Pyramyd AIR. I said it “seemed” to fail because I don’t think it really did. And that is what this report is about.
Airgunners need connections
Read the report titled, Airgunners need connections, because a lot of what I’ll talk about today is in there. I will make references and assume you read it.
We saw that the RovAir hose caused problems because the hose itself wasn’t sealed from the factory. I tried to cobble together a hose that worked with the air filter in line but I couldn’t do it. Then I took the air filter out of the hose line and it filled an airgun quickly.
I had to apologize to Pyramyd AIR because the compressor works so well. The one I returned probably did, as well. It was the air hose with air filter that failed.
More cobbling
After writing, Airgunners need connections, I knew the inline air filter and hose were faulty. So I attached an aftermarket inline filter called AirMega and it failed as well. It was cheap, at $50 (mine wasn’t the one in the picture). Because I am an airgunner, I always go cheap. So I ordered a RovAir replacement hose and filter from Pyramyd AIR.
Failed again
The replacement arrived and—it was a failure! With it attached to the compressor and an airgun the compressor never increased in pressure. After spending 45 minutes checking things out I had no more time to play with it so I removed the hose and cobbled together a straight line hose with no air filter and filled a .25-caliber JTS Airacuda Max from empty with it in a few minutes.
After two years in storage the .25-caliber Airacuda Max was empty.
I filled the Airacuda Max with the RovAir compressor. It now has 3200 psi—the recommended maximum air pressure.
My plan
My plan, which I began while writing this report, is to purchase a super-high quality inline air/water separator/filter. And I did. I paid WAY more than most people would, because for me—time is money. I want something that WORKS. The RovAir compressor works and my Air Venturi 310 Evo compressor by Hill does, too.
The filter/separator I bought can be used on both compressors and no more fooling around with leaky air lines! The ONLY complaint about this filter buyers made was it takes a long time to fill. Well, I have time to fill once. I DON’T have hours to cobble hoses together!
Why?
What brought this report about, you ask. Well, now that I am testing the Hatsan Factor Sniper Long air rifle I decided to also test my two other .25-caliber precharged pneumatics (PCP)—the Benjamin Marauder and the JTS Airacuda Max.
A week ago I grabbed the Marauder and noticed that it had about 2100 psi in the reservoir, so I filled it to 3000 and set it aside. Today I see that the reservoir pressure has dropped to 2800 psi.
After being filled one week to 3000 psi the Benjamin Marauder now has 2800 psi in the reservoir.
Today I found the Airacuda Max completely empty, so I also filled it. In another week I will look at it again.
It seems I will be using my compressors a lot and I no longer want to fiddle with leaky hoses or filters! The hoses I know how to seal and the filter I just bought has the reputation of not leaking.
Summary
I’m reporting on the difficulties of maintaining airguns and compressors. If you plan on getting into PCPs you need to know the issues.
Tom,
It’s times like these that make me appreciate springers and MSPs more.
Siraniko
Yup,
one less thing to worry about!
-Y
I purchased a refurbished Air Venturi RovAir compressor around the time frame that BB returned his. I wouldn’t be surprised if I ended up with the same RovAir compressor that BB returned. It has functioned properly for me (including the filter/airline assembly).
However I did elect to purchase one of the GX-Pump Professional-Grade High Pressure PCP Air Compressor Filter with Pressure Maintaining Function after BB reported on his. I have only used it to fill one rifle (so far). It seems to work well. One suggestion for GX-Pump that I have is to include two hoses instead of just one. Or at least make an extra hose available as an additional option. Right now I am stuck with using the hose/filter assembly that came with the RovAir compressor and that BB has had so much trouble with. So I am starting to look for a good quality hose. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I have the GX-Pump filter mounted to the RovAir compressor with the magnets similar to the photo that BB posted of his setup. So a hose similar to the one that BB used would be great.
I have had my AV compressor (similar to the Krypton) for several years now and (knock on wood) have had no issues with it except a blown rupture disc (it came with extras and a rebuild kit).
Since it is huge, I mounted mine on a garden cart. I also added an inline filter very similar to BBs. I have used it to fill my PCPs, but I mostly use it to fill my carbon fiber tank.
Previously I used a hand pump, but when I went big bore, it was quite inadequate for the job. I still have a hand pump, just in case.
Most of my airguns are still sproingers. I enjoy being able to snatch up one of the “old gals” and have at it, but when I need long range accuracy, I will grab one of the PCPs.
WAKE UP!
I have had my RovAir compressor for about a couple of years now and have had no problems with it. I use it to fill an avenger and avenger x.
I just got done with an Airacuda Max. First it was the fill connector oring, and upon the refill it was the poppet valve body orings (size not listed in factory drawing [11X1.5 iirc]). One of the 2 orings on the valve body was in pieces. I also found all of the orings in the air cylinder assembly, all 6 of them, were hard, not quite brittle yet. If you go into it, better have all the orings available. The only pliable orings were the transfer port and one on the poppet valve body. Measurements will be required for dis/reassembly to reset the poppet valve spring tension, similar to the air arms poppet service. Based on comments I have seen, hard orings in JTS rifles is common complaint. I wouldn’t recommend using the OEM supplied orings.
I hope your Marauder is a Gen 2, as the Gen 1 air tube is no longer available and typical possible problem is corrosion in tube, due to moisture, at aluminum pressure gauge spool area. That is what it was on my 25 cal. I bought it used, so I don’t know its prior history, but has a very accurate green mountain barrel in it. Holds air like a vault now with new pressure gauge spool and pressure tube. Unfortunately, I have a very accurate Gen 1 .177 marauder with a corrosion issue at gauge block.
PS in case you hadn’t run across this yet, the Marauder gauge block, adapter and gauge were revised at some point so it isn’t just a swap if the gauge block is corroded. Been there, done that.
MMCM13,
Mine is a Gen 2.
BB
MMCM13,
I know it is not a “cure all”, but the introduction of a little silicon oil on occasion does help with the o-rings. It will help with the corrosion also.
FM can’t wrap his thick skull around a company marketing compressors with defective hoses. Maybe that happened during a certain manufacturing run and Tom’s RovAir was one of the “lucky” recipients of the Deficient Parts-and-Testing Award. Have found the “cheapie” VEVOR airgun compressor purchased at a gun show a few months ago to work well enough for FM’s needs and it came with a spare set of o-rings for a rebuild, so will be sticking with it until it goes bust, which could be tomorrow, could be after FM checks out.
Anyone buying one of these cheap compressors should include a can of CRC Leak Detector with it.
I am still quite happy with my AV compressor I bought several years ago. Yes, I did cry when I bought it and I had to listen to the boss chew me out some then, but it has not been a problem since.
B.B. and Readership,
Tom, thanks for the reminder(s) on why i saved up, cried once, and bought FOUR BIG Carbon Fiber Cylinders and a Cascading Manifold/System to replace my Steel (very heavy) SCUBA Tanks instead of getting home/portable Compressor(s) to fill my PCP airguns.
Readership, IF you have a Dive Shop you can deal with nearby or within a reasonable distance that is able to get you close to 300 BAR (4,500PSI) fill for a reasonable price you will have at least a 15 year RELIABLE fill system and likely 30 years with the cylinder life extension inspection. You will NOT need to filter your air and it will bone DRY as well. With a cascade system and a little planning you will have nearly empty cylinders to get filled each time. You will get more full pressure fills with way less hassle than you think is possible.
The more cylinders you have in the cascade the fewer trips to the Dive Shop and obviously the more full pressure fills as well.
Just the same story…IT REALLY WORKS…BETTER.
shootski
PS: i’m saving up for two more CF Cylinders ;^)
PPS: you only need micro bore hoses with QD Foster fittings. Oh! This is also the fastest filling system by a long shot.
When the reservoir reads ‘0’ you probably have a leak. A drop in pressure that holds after filling may? be due to the air cooling down after being compressed. Just a thought, not sure about it. Topping it off after cooling may verify if it holds.
My FX Indy would drop to 2100 psi over time, but it always held there. Leak only happens above that pressure. I believe it leaked out through the incorporated hand pump. It is in-op now. I think high pressure air leaked into the low-pressure pump stage and locked up the pump handle.
Bob M,
I almost bought one of those things some years back. For as much as they were selling for I thought it should have been made better, do I did not throw down the bucks on it.
Bob M,
N.B. I don’t have one and never owned one.
Is the gauge on your FX Indy still showing pressure?
If it is you might want to try bleeding off pressure by unscrewing the gauge or gauge block. There may also be some other spot in the pump system that can be used to ”unlock” the pump. Is there a bleed screw for the pump?
shootski
B.B.,
shootski will now play the Devil’s Advocate:
“After two years in storage the .25-caliber Airacuda Max was empty”
The Airacuda Max had been filled long before you adopted the wise move of a drop or two of silicone oil in the fill port or in the fill hose before a fill.
“A week ago I grabbed the Marauder and noticed that it had about 2100 psi in the reservoir, so I filled it to 3000 and set it aside. Today I see that the reservoir pressure has dropped to 2800 psi.” The Marauder on the other hand may or may not have had the benefit of the silicone oil on the last fill or the one before; inquiring minds need to know!
Angel Number 666,
shootski
Shootski,
I actually have a handpump rebuild kit for the FX Independance but if nothing has been improved it will probably happen again in a few years. It has about 900psi in it, I can always shoot it out before disassembly.
I will be looking into blocking off the hand pump or removing it. It has an external fill connecter also.
Hoping 3 pumps from a hand pump after each shot will top off the small reservoir as well. Think it’s good for 6 shots topped off. No critter has survived beyond two so far.
I did manage to get the pump working a little, but it is way too hard and I did not want to destroy something.
So, it looks like the gift from the Airgun God was not the Holy Grail of Airguns we expected. A fully adjustable power, superior PCP air rifle with a self-contained air pump.
The carbine / bullpup version, called the Indy instead of Independance, is still NIB and should still work.
Bob M,
I believe the design engineers of that FX system moved to the USA to work on/in the Air Traffic Control system in particular the Air Terminal Tower Based portions….
Having flown into and out of some of the most dense air traffic airfields/airspace with NO air traffic controllers or much radio communications i always think what a bunch of self serving prime madonna that bunch have always been!
The FX concept was very tempting back then; I almost bought into it.
KISS adherence saved me some bucks.
shootski
It sounds like your FX version lasts a bit longer than my Seneca Aspen/Nova Freedom version. Mine stores best at zero psi, then I can at least fiddle with it all afternoon to get it to pump up and shoot. If I leave air in it, the pump will lock up and I have to degas and repeat the process.
The airgun Holy Grail may still out there somewhere, undiscovered… Maybe it looks like an FX duct-taped to a Hill pump.
Ia doubta de Svedish vill hava much ta doa vit da Holy Grail.
Berserkeley Mike,
I suspect the Achilles Heel of an on board pump system on this type of PCP is likely to be found in a hpa reservoir back to the pump CHECK VALVE or total abscence of one.
For the electronically knowledgeable types it functions like a zener diode/blocking diode.
shootski
Mike,
Sounds like good advice, Both my Senica and Nova are acting up as well. Handle locking up.
Perhaps if they did away with the reservoir entirely, or a very small one, avoiding back flow and had a single shot setup with a 3,000 psi pump up with less than 5 pumps.
shootski,
No, the Marauder had not been oiled with silicone before now.
BB
You probably have not put any in that Edge either, have you?
RR,
Not yet.
BB
Ridge Runner,
YELLOW FLAG!
Piling ON!
;^)
shootski
B.B.,
Hope it works.
It worked for quite a number of fills reviving the seal on the gauge block on my very early Benjamin Discovery but now i’m cleaning/rebuilding or potentially replacing the valve which is leaking on the outlet side.
The Discovery is one of the few PCPs that i have filled (often) with a hand pump. Everything looks good inside the compression tube but now i need to open up the valve body to check/clean/polish the valve and valve seat.
shootski
Nitrogen/CO2 Kompletes are getting more attractive by the minute or so it seems to me.
Deck
Deck,
A little silicon oil on the end of the bottle will not hurt them either.
RR
Yes! Everytime a new one is inserted.
Deck
Just so you folks out there in LaLaLand know, I have a very old AirForce pump that I converted from the fill fixture to a braided steel hose quite a few years ago. The pump needs to be resealed, but the hose is still good. On one end is a Foster fitting and on the other it is threaded 1/8 inch BBPPPPP…whateveritis. If anybody needs it, let me know something.
Something: a broken clock is always right twice per day.
I would be happy to take that pump off your hands, if it can be resealed. Do you think it will do the Disco?