Another compresser query? Noise?

[wizer]

So, finally armed with the correct fittings, I set up the compressor for a little fiddle. I filled it up with the oil provided and connected the fittings to the hose using a bit of PTFE. Switched on and was surprised at how noisy it was. It's so loud i'd say you'd have to wear ear defenders if using for any length of time. If this normal? It doesn't 'feel' right. I left it running for about 10mins and when I turned it off I heard a loud hiss. I felt around and there was air shooting out from here:

After leaving it for a matter of seconds, the air duster loses all air and the dials return to 0

Of course I might be doing something wrong? Any ideas?

 

[Digit]

If it's reciprocating compressor, looks like motor cycle engine, then yes, they are noisy.
You should here mine on a wooden floor!
If you mean the circular bit in the end of the tank there is normally a valve in there that allows for connection straight from the tank, non lubricated airlines for example, you should be able to turn it off.

Roy.

 

[Rich]

Hi WiZer, looking at your second pic, on my compressor the knurled brass fitting slides back and forth covering a small orifice, this is for venting the hose if you want to change tools, if you can hear "hissing" it may be that the hose is venting and the brass fitting needs sliding over the orifice,
HTH.
Rich.

 

[tim]

It shouldn't need to run for 10mins either unless you are using air. If it is running that long then you have a valve open or a leak somewhere. In general, compressors are noisy. I keep mine in a separate enclosure (with my DX) and just run the pipe through the wall and have it switched inside the w/s.

HTH

Cheers


Tim

 

[Mike.C]

Wizer wrote,

I turned it off I heard a loud hiss. I felt around and there was air shooting out from here:

This is normal, or at least mine has always made a loud hiss (one hiss)when I have turned it off.
Obviously the leak is not normal. Where as the part in your first photo is painted white, mine is brass and can be tightened up. Have you tried to do this?

Cheers

Mike

 

[newt]

Also have you checked the drain valve underneath this should be tight, but when you have finished you should open this to let any water out.

 

[JackL]

Hi WiZer,
It seems that everyone has covered the issues now.
You will get a loud hiss as the thing turns off having got to pressure. It should sound a bit like the air brakes being released on a HGV ( that's the best way that I can describe it anyway).
Also Newt might have been very close to the answer for loss of pressure when he sites the drain valve.
My understanding of the pressure vessel transport regulations state somewhere (I think) that all drain valves should be open during transit. This is in case the transport vehicle is involved in an accident involving fire. If the tank was totally sealed, heat from any fire would render the pressure tank an unexploded bomb, quite capable of firing shrapnel several metres.
Just examine the machine very carefully, the tank drain valve is not always immediately obvious.
Good luck.

 

[wizer]

thanks guys, i'll have a play with it tomorrow and let you know.

Must admit i'm a bit bemused if that's the level of noise it makes. It will probably never get any use.

 

[tim]

The thing is if you are using it for nailing, it won't run for that long.

The only compressor I have is the tiny oiless one that Axminster used to sell which I only use for 18g nails and pinning. I occasionally use it for dusting or blowing up the airbed in the summer for those quieter afternoons

If you have a compressor running all the time then the odds are that you have the wrong compressor for the job unless its a hugely air demanding process.

Cheers


Tim

 

[NeilO]

Wizer, not wanting to teach grandad to suck eggs, and I`m no expert but,

there should be no leaking air from the reservior whilst running or not.. the "whoosh"when swicthing to "idle" mode is from the brass knurled valve (shown left, on your piccy, below main switch box))
its efffectively a pressure switch, it can be adjusted, but wouldnt advise it till you know more about your machine...as this effects the blowoff point for the compressor normally set around 112-116psi for smaller types..

not sure on what kind of switch you have pull/push or rotary?? you should have a small dia plastic tube running to under switch from piping to/tank this controls the switching to running /idle..

there will be a drain valve at the bottom of the tank, for air/water check that is tight..
larger of two dials reads pressure in tank, the other is adjustable to air line feed 0-100%.
check if all the unions around the switch/valves are air tight sometimes vibrate loose and leak..
stupid question, is your air duster a trigger operated , is this jammed open ??
Noisy, **** yes :lol: I find mine runs for about 4/5 mins from empty to fill then just "bursts" to keep it topped up when using, otherwise it just sits there..it should be able to hold its pressure overnight (not advised, but it should)) without significant loss of pressure.

 

[ivan]

http://www.airlines-pneumatics.co.uk/ are a useful source of mail order bits which Ax doesn't carry.

 

[wizer]

Wizer, not wanting to teach grandad to suck eggs

To be fair this is the first time I have even seen a compressor. I'm not sure what to expect. I thought it would make more of a 'hum' than an all out aggressive howl. It's louder than any of my saws.

I'll check everything suggested tonight.

I am wondering if I needed such a big compressor. Essentially I will be doing exactly what Tim describes. I can't imagine i'll be even using the nailer much. Perhaps I should consider swapping it for a smaller model.

 

[OllyK]

Wizer, not wanting to teach grandad to suck eggs

To be fair this is the first time I have even seen a compressor. I'm not sure what to expect. I thought it would make more of a 'hum' than an all out aggressive howl. It's louder than any of my saws.

Oh yes, and by quite a margin I have no doubt.

I'll check everything suggested tonight.

I am wondering if I needed such a big compressor. Essentially I will be doing exactly what Tim describes. I can't imagine i'll be even using the nailer much. Perhaps I should consider swapping it for a smaller model.

I've found it's one of those things that once you've got one, you use it more and more and then wish you'd bought a bigger one! I'm planning on putting in an air ring main in the workshop and hooking a supplementary tank on to the main as I have 2 2HP compressors, but both have smallish reservoirs. Hopefully this approach should allow me to cope with most eventualities.

 

[wizer]

so what do you use your compressors for?

 

[NeilO]

Wizer, stick with it.....theyre useful machines and like lathes (an analogy) you can do small jobs with a big compressor, but you cant do big jobs with a small compressor...
also checked your other post about this subject, I have the AW50N and find it very good value, but i think I mentioned this when you queried buying it anyway.
how do you find the extension?, was toying about buying this self same thing for the workshop, saves having hose all over the place, whats the self retraction like??

And like OllyK said, once you have one you find no end of jobs for it..
personally I use mine for nailling/bradding, spraying and of course giving the workshop a good dusting every now and then..of course theres always that inflatable mattress, or paddling pool for the kids in summer tyres, car and on the kids bikes..shall I go on??

 

[OLD]

I felt around and there was air shooting out from here:
Air should not be leaking if you mean the welded on boss take a better picture it may have a blanking plug thats not sealing or missing . The m/c should run the gauge rise to a high figure then cut out using air will cause the gauge to drop then it will cut back in etc

 

[Tom K]

Hi again wiZer, is the air leaking from the cap central on the tank in your first picture? Is that metal it looks like a plastic bung in the picture?

Regards Tom

 

[wizer]

Here we go a picture paints a thousand words:

This is where the air is leaking from:

It's made out of metal and I can't see an obvious way to tighten it?

If it's still not clear I made a video.

 

[tim]

Is this a new bit of kit? If so I would contact the retailer/ manufacturer. It looks to me like something should be bunging that somehow.

Cheers

Tim

 

[wizer]

yep xmas pressie, i'll get on to axminster