Air & Gases On Site

PUFFIN GAS SERVICES AND FACILITIES

Compressed air is available from the self service panel between the times shown below or by arrangement prior.

Winter 07:00-20:00 Summer 07:00-22:00

The panel will supply compressed air to a maximum pressure of 232 bar from A-clamp and DIN fit adaptors. Users can bring their own DIN adaptor. A SINGLE tank of any size (ie: 3, 10, 12, 15, 18 L) can be filled from the panel with cash payment for £5 (no change given in shop) regardless of current pressure. Any 232 tanks twinned or banded together may be filled at the same time using a single panel outlet provided they are part of the same twinset or rig and are intended to be operated as a pair. Multi filling using additional or your own whip(s) is not allowed.

The self service panel operates with any coinage (except coppers) and Puffin Dive Centre tokens which can be purchased through the shop if carrying large quantities of coinage around with you does not appeal.

Full filling instruction are posted on the main instruction panel. Ensure these instructions are followed and filling is easy. We cannot accept responsibility for money lost through improper use of the filling panel. If in any doubt or just want some friendly help, please ask in the shop. All genuine faults should be reported to the shop.

Higher pressure fills (to 300 Bar) can be purchased through the shop and are filled by staff only. These types of fills can sometimes be carried out straight away although customers should allow at least 45 minutes during busy periods. As high pressure air produces a small amount of heat it is advisable to give us a longer filling period to ensure the cylinder after the initial fill can be 'topped up' to ensure a good fill. The normal period for cooling a filled bottle allowing it to return to ambient is 1 hour therefore if you wish to have a "good fill" then you should allow more time or the cool down when your bottle goes into the sea will reduce the air quantity. (Rule of thumb - 0.6 of a bar for every degree Celsius) Customers should ensure that the tank has been filled appropriately prior to accepting the tank back.

There are two separate compressors feeding our large storage air bank, both can operate independently of one another and combined. The 32 cfm compressor is our main compressor and fills our storage bank of 19 X 61 litres. The 18 cfm compressor pumps air on demand when requirements dictate. Even on the busiest of days you will never be short of air or have to hang around waiting for the compressor.

Both compressors, the bank and all the filtration equipment are serviced each week by our specialist staff from the M and E department. Compressor hours are carefully monitored for purity of air of which we have very carefully selected the quality of the external air surrounding the centre (Oban).

Enriched Air Nitrox can be arranged through the shop where you will be asked to provide appropriate certification for the blend you are purchasing and to complete a filling form. Charges can be found below. Please allow a minimum of 45 minutes for blending especially during busy periods. An indication of the completion time should be received from the shop staff at the time of payment. The process of filling the cylinders is based on a manual system and on staff priorities serving other customers. The more time you can give the better and is appreciated. If you have an urgent requirement and require an instant fill or solution we will try to assist provided you arrange this with the shop and subject to the availability of a suitably qualified blending technician we can often oblige. The normal period for cooling a filled bottle allowing it to return to ambient is 1 hour therefore if you wish to have a "good fill" then you should allow more time or the cool down when your bottle goes into the sea will reduce the air quantity. (Rule of thumb - 0.6 of a bar for every degree Celsius)

Prior to filling all tanks will be checked for appropriate serving and maintenance, any tanks falling below minimum requirements will not be filled. When you collect your enriched air nitrox you will be asked to sign after a check accepting the tank mix and pressure. If you do not have your own analyser you can analyse the blend using ours. All pressure and percentage checks should be dealt with on collection allowing both of us to verify the findings.

Oxygen fills will receive an average fill pressure of 160 - 180 bar subject to the gas supplier. Air products tend to provide fills of about (currently) 170 Bar.

Oxygen clean tanks requiring a "clean air" should ask in the shop for a staff assisted fill and not self fill from the air panel unless you have an additional filter attachment.