I have started turbines many times on a small shop compressor. The reason a scuba bottle is used for the most part is the transportability , secondly it offers more starts than a regular portable air tank due to the higher pressures it has more cubic ft of air. I.E. a ten gallon protable air tank holds 100PSI, (figures are exagerated) say that might be 10 cubic ft of air packed into a ten gallon tank as opposed to maybe 30 cubic ft of air packed into a 2 gallon space at 1500 psi. again the figures are exagerated there are formulas for figuring out the correct numbers I just tried to make it easier to understand. Now if you had a good sorce of electric at the field a portable air compressor will start a tubine till you wear out but how many meets or fiels come to mind where there is reliable electric service. I have gotten 3 to 4 good starts off of a portable air tank. I am not sure of the number with a scuba tank, I am sure sombody else could provide that info.


Jim