A SailAir cylinder can be refilled wherever you are, without a trip to a dive center. There are a few ways to do it, and two of them cover most use on board: the hand pump or the Nano HP electric compressor.
The hand pump suits occasional fills and places with no power. The Nano HP compressor suits regular filling and takes the manual work out of it. Here is what separates them, and which one fits your routine.
How the Two Filling Options Compare
The hand pump prioritizes portability and freedom from electricity. The electric compressor prioritizes convenience and repeatable filling.
|
Factor |
SailAir Hand Pump |
Nano HP Compressor |
|
Power source |
Manual operation |
12 V, 110 V, or 220–230 V |
|
Weight |
Compact and easy to store |
15 kg |
|
Physical effort |
Sustained pumping by hand |
The compressor does the work |
|
Best suited to |
Occasional or remote filling |
Regular filling and easier turnaround |
|
Filtration |
Replaceable filter. The filter contents should be replaced every 3-5 fillings, or yearly. |
Replaceable filter cartridge. Replacement interval varies by ambient temperature and bottle size. |
|
Main consideration |
Time and physical effort |
Power supply, space, and maintenance |
Never fill a SailAir cylinder with an ordinary workshop compressor. A SailAir cylinder requires equipment built for high-pressure breathing air to the EN 12021 standard, and matched to the SailAir filling connection.
When to Use the SailAir Hand Pump
The SailAir hand pump can fill the cylinder without any electrical supply. It has its own filter, costs less to buy than a compressor, and it connects right through the SailAir quick coupling.
The trade-off is physical effort. Compressing air to 200 bar by hand takes time and sustained pumping, which suits an occasional fill but becomes impractical across several in succession.
The hand pump is the better choice when:
-
You fill the cylinder only occasionally.
-
Electrical power may not be available where you fill.
-
Storage space is limited, and portability is a priority.
-
You want a backup filling method that works independently of a compressor.
When the Nano HP Compressor Is the Better Fit
The Nano HP compressor fills SailAir cylinders to 200 bar at 13 liters per minute. The main benefit comes from the ease of filling, especially when there are several tanks that need to be refilled.
The trade-offs are power, space, and upkeep. Filter cartridge life changes with temperature, so servicing should follow the temperature compensation table supplied with the unit.
The compressor is the better choice when:
-
You fill cylinders regularly or keep more than one SailAir set onboard.
-
Reducing manual effort matters.
-
12 V or mains power is reliably available.
-
Faster turnaround between uses is a priority.
Air Quality Matters With Either Method
Both the pump and the compressor draw in whatever air surrounds them, so the air you breathe underwater starts as the air at the intake. A filter helps, but it doesn't make a contaminated space safe to fill your tank.
Fill your tank in a clean, well-ventilated spot, away from engine exhaust, fuel vapor, and solvents. Carbon monoxide is the one to watch, since it cannot be detected by smell and exhaust from a running engine is a common source.
Do You Need Both a Hand Pump and a Compressor?
Not everyone needs both, but the two work well together. The compressor handles routine filling wherever power is available, and the hand pump stays onboard for remote anchorages or as a backup when it is not.
Whether that is worth it depends on how you use the cylinder. If you fill it a few times a season, the hand pump alone is usually enough. If you fill often, the compressor earns its cost and storage space, and the pump becomes the fallback rather than the main method.
Choose Based on How Often You Fill
Both methods put the same air in the same cylinder at the same pressure, so the decision comes down to your routine. Fill occasionally, and the hand pump covers it. Fill often, and the compressor is worth the power and space it needs.
NRC has built German-engineered diving and breathing gas equipment since 2000, and it is in use in over 35 countries. You can compare the hand pump and the Nano HP compressor on our SailAir pages, and if you are not sure which suits your vessel, contact us, and we will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a standard hand pump fill a SailAir cylinder?
No. A SailAir cylinder holds air up to 207 bar, far beyond what a bicycle pump or general-purpose air pump can reach, and those pumps do not filter to breathing-air standards. Use only a high-pressure pump intended for SailAir.
Can I fill a SailAir cylinder from a scuba tank?
Yes. A full 200 bar scuba cylinder can transfer air through the SailAir refill adapter. It is a useful option when a scuba cylinder is already onboard, though you only get as much as the larger cylinder has to give.
Which option is better for a boat without reliable electricity?
The hand pump, because it needs no power at all. The trade-off is that you supply the effort, so it suits a cylinder filled now and then rather than several in a row.
Can the Nano HP compressor be used to fill Nitrox?
No. The Nano HP compresses ambient air, so what goes into the cylinder is ordinary air at about 21 percent oxygen. It is certified for breathing air only, not nitrox or pure oxygen.
