Posted: 3/5/2010 1:52:19 PM EDT
| I have a stanley Bostitch pancake compressor. It will turn on and fill up and turn off like normal. My problem is when I hook it up to a tool and use it, the air pressure will drop almost all the way. When I let off the tool, the pressure builds back up. So basically I don't have constant pressure. This is the compressor I have. I am thinking that I need to replace Part number 27––the pressure reducer valve. Anyone know for sure? |
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Quoted:
What type of air tool are you using with it? Good question ^^^ You are probably running more tool than that type of compressor can handle. When the compressor is at full pressure, and you turn the tool on, does the motor/compressor kick on? If so, then you are just using a greater volume of air than the compressor can provide. That type of compressor is only intended to run things like nail guns, which only require very little air volume. Look on the tool and see what the CFM requirement is. It will likely be a number less than 15. Then look on the compressor for the CFM output. It will typically be XX@40 PSI and X@ 90PSI. If your tool needs 12 CFM and 90 PSI, and the compressor can only deliver 5, then it's going to deplete in the manner you describe. THAT is why VarmitSniper asked the question he did. 
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Don't order a regulator yet. Part# 27 adjusts your pressure to the tool only.
Test the pressure regulator like this. With the compressor full, look at the tank pressure gauge. This tells you what's in the tank, not going to the line. If you turn the regulator up it will match the tank reading on it's gauge. When you turn it down, the dial will drop and you will hear a hiss sound as it purges air to adjust what's going to the tools. Try not to go lock to lock on the regulator, it can mess it up if you get to the end of it's range and really crank on it hard in either direction. All the regulator is doing is adjusting the line pressure so you do not have full tank pressure going to your tools. If all this seems correct, it's probably your pressure switch. If you're saying the compressor fills up to max pressure, then shuts off............then when you call for air the compressor does not kick back on to refill it correctly to maintain enough pressure to run tools you had no issue with in the past, it's NOT your pressure regulator. The problem is in the pressure switch #21. The pressure switch senses the pressure in the tank. It will allow the unit to fill to a set pressure ( this is adjustable, but usually pre-set at the factory so you do not go over pressure and blow things up ) and will kick the motor/pump on when the pressure in the tank gets down to a set pressure. That is how the compressor knows when to cycle. Unless I read your post wrong, I believe this is your problem. The high end of the switch is working correctly and the low end that senses when to build up pressure again is not. |
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Quoted:
Don't order a regulator yet. Part# 27 adjusts your pressure to the tool only. Test the pressure regulator like this. With the compressor full, look at the tank pressure gauge. This tells you what's in the tank, not going to the line. If you turn the regulator up it will match the tank reading on it's gauge. When you turn it down, the dial will drop and you will hear a hiss sound as it purges air to adjust what's going to the tools. Try not to go lock to lock on the regulator, it can mess it up if you get to the end of it's range and really crank on it hard in either direction. All the regulator is doing is adjusting the line pressure so you do not have full tank pressure going to your tools. If all this seems correct, it's probably your pressure switch. If you're saying the compressor fills up to max pressure, then shuts off............then when you call for air the compressor does not kick back on to refill it correctly to maintain enough pressure to run tools you had no issue with in the past, it's NOT your pressure regulator. The problem is in the pressure switch #21. The pressure switch senses the pressure in the tank. It will allow the unit to fill to a set pressure ( this is adjustable, but usually pre-set at the factory so you do not go over pressure and blow things up ) and will kick the motor/pump on when the pressure in the tank gets down to a set pressure. That is how the compressor knows when to cycle. Unless I read your post wrong, I believe this is your problem. The high end of the switch is working correctly and the low end that senses when to build up pressure again is not. No, when the pressure gets low, the compressor kicks on and fills it back up and it will shut off. I just messed with it again. It seems that the air coming from the tank is going to slow from the tank to the regulator. With the regulator cranked up, it takes it about 30 sec to get to pressure, then if I use say an air blower, it will drain the pressure from the regulator, and once it hits 0 on the regulator, it is barely streaming any air out. The tank is still at 150psi when this happens. Possibly a clog or bad valve?? |
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Sounds like the regulator is doing its job. You need a bigger compressor for a blow gun. That is a compressor for a brad nailer and stuff that barely uses any cfm like the air brush you use. Even a touch up gun with push it.
ETA: Looked it up and it's a oil less pump too. CFM is the key. I run a blast cabinet and air tools on a 8 gallon compressor that is about 12 years old. It's a 1.5 hp twin and will hold 70 psi open even though it's worn out. It's getting rebuilt like any other pump(engine in your car that likes lube) that's been abused and getting a bigger tank since it wasn't drained for 8+years before i got it given to me. Finally rusted at the welds so i'll be putting it on a 15-20 gal. tank also. |