New compressor - please educate me!!

[Kroggers]

OK, this is probably going to sound like some stupid questions, but I have never had a compressor before!

I picked up this compressor used the other week for the garage and it has come without any instructions, and I am a bit confused about some things - hope you can help



So, here are some questions:-

1.- What is the normal maintenance that I should do to this thing? Should I drain the air out from it every evening? Is there something I need to do with the oil, etc?

2.- There are two different locations for connecting air lines to this thing. One is directly on the main air tank (as in the above picture), and then there are two connectors at the other end with some pressure thing attached to it - see this picture.

What is the difference between these two? What do I connect to what, and how do I select the correct output?

Any other good advice?

[repp]

congrats on the world of compressed air.

the red dial above the gauge is to set the outlet air pressure from the two conections near it .

the black box in the second picture looks to be the air inlet filter, which I would open and clean it if aplicable.

as for the oil yes you should change it with a good oil recomended for air compressors.

and drain the water from the tank when you run it for any length of time.

[Kroggers]

Cool, thank you repp.

I will have a look at the filter today when I get back from work.

So the air line connectors with the gauge can be adjusted for a set air pressure. I will then assume that the connector at the other end and on the main air tank will give full pressure with no control. Got it...

But then I have related question - how do I select which air outlet to use? ie. My car lift is operated using compressed air. Should I operate this from the pressure controlled side or from the main air tank? Also, I have a tire changing machine that needs to be connected to the compressor - which connector on the compressor should I use?

I know these are probably stupid questions, but I am new to all this

[Grog]

Your air compressor will have an pressure range that it will cycle between (compressor on/ off) The regulator will maintain a constant pressure as long as it is at you compressor minimum press or lower (good for air tools, nail guns ...) most air tools and equipment will give you a inlet pressure range and max operating pressure, follow those to figure out what connection to use. Some require a moisture separator in line, or an oiler.

[Kroggers]

Originally Posted by Grog

Your air compressor will have an pressure range that it will cycle between (compressor on/ off) The regulator will maintain a constant pressure as long as it is at you compressor minimum press or lower (good for air tools, nail guns ...) most air tools and equipment will give you a inlet pressure range and max operating pressure, follow those to figure out what connection to use. Some require a moisture separator in line, or an oiler.

So for most air tools or things that need constant long running air (sand blasting cabinet etc) it is best to use the outlet with the pressure control. For things that only need a short run with air like the car lift or the tire changing machine it is OK to run directly from the tank.

Or is it normal practice to run everything from the regulated side and not connect anything directly to the tank?

[billybek]

Are you going to run airlines from the compressor to different areas of your garage?
Then you want full line pressure and regulate at the end of each line.
Different air tools (brad nailers for example) will require less pressure to operate than a 3/4 inch impact and will require different quantities of air to run.
If you look on the garage journal, they have tons of threads on compressed air systems for the home garage.
i think it is a good idea to drain after each use. The oil will last a long time with light use as long as the air inlet filter is clean.
It is a good idea to have drain or drip legs at the end of each run.
If you are going to do a small amount of painting, clean, dry and oil free air is necessary.
The black box in the first photo is the cut in/out. Attached to the same access stub is a pressure relief. It would be a good idea to know if the cut in/out operates properly.
Looks like a nice set up.

[rfuerst911sc]

It would be considered normal that all tools and accessories would be attached to the air outlet with the regulator. The reason has already been stated air tools are designed to operate at specific psi ranges. You want to regulate the air output for each specific tool. In my opinion the unregulated outlet on your tank should only be used if you run an airline from that output source to an externally mounted regulator. As already mentioned check the air filter once or twice a year or more depending on what you are doing. I try to change the compressor oil twice a year. I drain the tank when I remember to do so . I have found that you will only use a compressor IF you make it easy to use. If you bury it in a corner and your tools are hard to find you won't use it. I recently ran air lines ( piping ) around the perimeter of my garage. I have three " drops " on the inside of the garage and one on the outside. I have a hose reel at one drop and coiled hose ready to go at the other two. Everything has a quick disconnect on the outlet. I can literally be ready with air at any of these outlets in 10 - 15 seconds so I am more motivated to use them ! It's one of the best things I have done for my garage. Good luck you will enjoy it.

[Kroggers]

Thank you all. I think I will only use the outlet with the pressure regulator on it and leave the one on the air tank disconnected.

The outlet with the pressure control has two outlets on it. I will use one as a dedicated feed to the tire change machine, and run the other one to several drops in the garage and workshop as suggested by rfuerst911sc.

[azasadny]

Look for a mfg and model number, then use Google to try and find a manual. I've had very good luck finding manuals for just about every thing I have, including old items...

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by azasadny

Look for a mfg and model number, then use Google to try and find a manual. I've had very good luck finding manuals for just about every thing I have, including old items...

It is amazing how many old manuals are available.

That is also a pretty standard design so a similar make and models manual would be helpful as well.

Nice rig.

[rfuerst911sc]

I forgot to mention that on my setup my Ingersol Rand commercial compressor does not have a pressure regulator , my compressor just has a ball type shut off valve and a quick connect at the exit. So when I did my piping for the garage I went to Harbor Freight and purchased a combination regulator filter. It is a large cannister so you could consider it a commercial version. It has a pressure gauge on it and of course the regulator for adjusting the pressure. I have this mounted on the wall next to the compressor and a rubber line attaches compressor to regulator/filter. The cannister has a drain valve on the bottom so by having this mounted low in the system it should be effective in catching/draining moisture. I have ball valves at the bottom of each drop with a tee and the bottom of each tee has a fitting with a brass plug screwed into it. So I can open/close each individual drop to drain moisture. I just completed the install a few weeks ago but so far works perfect. I highly recommend at least one filter in the system to catch moisture. If you want to add a " oiler " to the system I use a small one that attaches to the tool . That way you only add oil to the tool and not any of the piping/hoses. You do NOT want oil in any of the lines if you are going to do sandblasting or painting.

[repp]

before you get it all plumbed up.. I would change the drain in the bottom of the tank and have it extend out towards the side/front to make it easier to drain frequently.

I ran two big ingersol rand compressors for a couple of years before I put a 45 and extended the drain to an easy to reach setup.
A happy mechanic is a productive mechanic.