Another Air Compressor Problem

Texasmark1

Well-known Member
Have a 4 (real hp), 60 gallon, 230V, air compressor that is roughly 20 years old. Was out of something to do yesterday so I decided to wade into
changing out the pressure control module....had numerous things to get out of the way so that the module could be unscrewed. While installing
my new one, both Square D slightly different Off-Auto lever but otherwise identical, I noticed on the box that it had a mfgr. date of 2004 and knew
that I had it for a long time as a backup.

Installed it and when pressure got to 140 I popped the ckt breakers and started backing the truck up. Spent a lot of time trying to understand
what was wrong and learning just how the mechanism works in sensing pressure, shutting off the power, and bleeding down the head pressure. I
wound up adjusting the larger of the two springs which is the cut off control. I did several iterations of more and less tension and comparing the
length of the spring adjustment to the original while checking the effect on the unit.

In the final analysis, I got it to function properly and the spring was set back where it was initially (1.49") for the cut off pressure specified (125
psig) and the only thing that changed was I lubricated the non electrical conducting metal parts and manually cycled the mechanism.

So, rule of thumb here (to me) is if you have one that has been sitting around for awhile, don't jump the gun and think you have a bad part.....what
you have just might need a little limbering up.
 
Hello Texasmark1,

Do you really need all that pressure with all that volume? A good size unit for sure!

Guido.
 
I had a 175 psi 80 gallon 5 hp compressor for years. When I finally got tired of repairing it (it was taking a long time to pump up too) I bought a 60 gallon 150 psi 5 hp and tied it into my 80 gallon tank. So now I have 140 gallons of storage. Minimizes the starts. Now I can raise my lift without starting the compressor. Air grinder still brings it on pretty quickly, though.
 
When I bought it I had just bought a HF sand blaster and was wanting to do some quality makeovers of my antiques. Home Depot had it for around $300 believe it or not, had a floor full of Cambell Hausfeld and that pushed me over the top. Otherwise yes, it's way larger than most jobs require, even rotating tires with the impact or such.
 
I remember working in a service station when in high school (50 cents an hour and anything you broke came out of your check). The compressor
for the lift was huge and looking back possibly 2 stage. Course that was when we had full service and windshield wipe, oil levels check, tire
condition and fill checks part of the deal.

On that subject, I recall the first time a '57 Chevy came in. I looked and looked for the fill spiggot cover but couldn't find it. Don't recall but
somebody went over to the driver's side fin and rolled the chrome back and there it was. Gee.
 
Hello Texasmark1,


Definatly a good price. The one at work was a 15hp 3 phase unit. The one in. Impact was the only think that that made it come on, but not for long. That one was also set @175# with one in. Line to the shop,

Guido.
 
You had the 2 stage and probably a 1000 gal tank. Mine was single stage and about 125 is it for regular duty workouts.
 
Since we can't edit, more added comment:

I bought a HF ? impact a while back to work on my round baler. Was replacing some roller bearings and the ? just didn't have enough whoopie and with SAE impact sockets was starting to round off the tips of the bolt....since that baler is all metric.....ouch! Was running a 50' ⅜" hose which worked the ?" just fine.

"Destructions" with the ? said to use ?" hose. After futily fumbling around with short lengths of ⅜ to no avail, I went to HD and got a ? hose and then she ran. Oh, I also needed metric impact sockets so I sent off for them from HF. Both the tool and sockets were dirt cheap and work great for no more use than I give them. Anyway, with the right tools, I touched the trigger and before I could get my finger off it, the bolt was out. Yeah!!!!!!!

Initially I was afraid my hose reel wouldn't accept 50' of ? since it was built for 50' of ⅜ but it does just fine if you help it along with a little "level wind"......Level wind, my grand dad (fishing buddy) gave me a Pflueger President fishing reel when I was a kid. Top of the line, regular bait casting reel.......no level wind. One he had for many many years and it was an heirloom. wanted me to have it as he had no son and I was the only boy from his girls....got his name too; 7th generation....I still have it and looked at it just a few days ago. Back then you had to do your own level winding with your left hand thumb and index finger. After you practice it a bit, it's second nature.....like big reels for Marlin and such.
 
Andy,

What's the advantage of using a 5 hp compressor to power an air grinder when it can be replaced with a fractional hp electric right angle grinder? geo
 
(quoted from post at 04:21:08 07/15/16) Andy,

What's the advantage of using a 5 hp compressor to power an air grinder when it can be replaced with a fractional hp electric right angle grinder? geo

That's also been my question.
My good neighbor would take the sickle bar out of his combine, clamp in down to saw horses and he and his son would take their pneumatic grinder and their 4-1/2 in. electric side grinder, and start sharpening sharping the sickle bar.
The air compressor was a true 3 horse, and every so often the one that was running the pneumatic grinder would have to stop and let the compressor catch up, and that side grinder would just keep going.

Dusty
 
Hello TexasMark1,

I don't remember the tank size, but with the 1 in. Zipper full blast the beast would shut off. In this case size does matter. Talking about marlin biggest one we landed was 120ls. 8foot tip to tale. That was 10 years back in Capo San Luca. Ha! The good old days!


Guido.
 
Pneumatic grinders eat a lot of air for what you get. I prefer the electric angle grinder too for blade sharpening even over the conventional stone
electric bench type. I keep my 3 pt rotary shredders sharp too and by hitting them every time I go out, it only takes a few minutes and I get a nice
clean, well mowed field. One thing I have started using quite often is the 4" cutoff wheel on an angle grinder. Has it's niche and serves the
purpose well.
 

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