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Bauer 8 CFM Breathing Air Compressor getting an oil and filter change.

Bauer 8 CFM Breathing Air Compressor getting an oil and filter change.

One of the last items on my very long list from the purchase survey of Sea Eagle was to get the Bauer Breathing Air Compressor working. It has no hour meter and no maintenance records, so I wasn’t sure what it’s history had been. I remembered the previous owner saying it didn’t work due to some power issue, but he didn’t know why.

I cleaned up all the mildew from the compressor and storage box, then drained the old compressor oil out. It looked brand new, but I changed it anyway. It was the same story with the breathing air and intake filters, both looked brand, spanking new, but I replaced them anyway. I spent almost an entire day with a small wire brush and some rust converter (naval jelly) to clean up the rusty hose fittings, get the connectors and fill whips all clean and working, then I turned on the power and pushed the “on” button!

Filling the first Scuba Tank with the dive compressor on Sea Eagle.

Filling the first Scuba Tank with the dive compressor on Sea Eagle.

Surprise, surprise, the compressor was turning the right way, sounded good and was putting out high pressure air. I blew down all the lines, hooked up a high pressure tank (HP 100), and opened up all the valves. The compressor purred to life and filled my tank in no time! The sweet sound of success!

I used the tank this weekend to clean the bottom of the boat and am glad to report I survived, so we can cross both jobs off the list!