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California Air Tool - HORRIBLE Experience

bradjacob

Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
13
Hi -

In OCT-2022 I bought a CA (California Air Tools) 60 gallon upright (CAT-60040CAD Ultra Quiet 60 Gal Compressor). It sat wrapped in it's shipping plastic wrap, unused until April-2024 while I had a shop being built.

I fired it up for the first time and was impressed with its noise level, yada yada.... But more important is an air compressor's reliability. And I've been experiencing solenoids that are failing all within a few weeks. First it was the auto drain valve, next it was the top valve that shuts off the motor while filling. I wound up disconnecting the auto-drain because nothing would remedy the issue. Now the one that shuts the motor is just hissing away as it drains.

I tried to cycle this 3 times now and nothing. I tried unscrewing the electric part and it triggered the motor to come back on, only to fill up and remain open and hissing as it drains and my frustration level escalates. My business is now DOWN and I'm dead in the water.

Ok, so I did what any rational person would do - I called them. I got "you're the first one in the queue"...Great I thought. Then after a few minutes the message came on for me to leave a message. Feeling stupid, I told my problem to an answering machine. No call back. I then tried several hours later, with a total of 5 more calls, no messages. I even tried going in the "sales", "service" and "parts". WTF? Is this company a legit corp or some nickel and dime operation. I get that people might be on other calls, but they have to know that some people rely heavily on their products so some level of tech support, or receipt of the logged issue shouldn't be too much to ask.

It's one thing to have machinery fail (BRAND NEW machinery, mind you) but- Nothin is worse than being hung out to dry with no help in sight. I'm left sitting here dead in the water with only the hope that someone out in California will answer their phone and assist their customers.

Anyone else experience this level of quality and proffessionalism?

Frustrating & worried in PA,

-Brad
 
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rust in the eye

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Oct 2, 2017
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Chicagoland
California Air Tools

dentalaircompressors.net

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chevy.stroker

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Dec 31, 2010
Messages
389
Location
Waco, TX
Have you pulled the part number on the switch? On my USA made compressor the pressure cutoff switch that screws into the top of the tank was a Chinese switch and cost me $20 to replace.
 
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bradjacob

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Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
13
Have you pulled the part number on the switch? On my USA made compressor the pressure cutoff switch that screws into the top of the tank was a Chinese switch and cost me $20 to replace.
Nothing yet. At the top of the compressor, there is a solenoid that closes a small hard line. That continues to stay open so after the tank fills, it's actually draining.
 
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bradjacob

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Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
13
What is that? Cat compressors aren't cheap.

To the OP, sorry about the experience. I've had a portable cat compressor for years and it's been nothing but great
Yeah other than the tank draining - I love it (eye roll). Seriously though, its nice and quiet and otherwise performs very well. I'm most upset about THEM not answering their own (advertised) tech support, warrenty support, EVEN "Sale" - nothing but a silly voicemail about how important my call is to them. So frustrating.
 
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Tinkerer2

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Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Messages
351
Location
Central Florida
If I understand your issue, it is the same one I had. Where the solenoid connects to the tank look for a nut that is actually a plug. Unscrew it being careful not to loose the internal spring and any other parts. Clean the oriface and plug well and reinstall. Mine had some debris preventing complete closure and thus the tank bled down when the motor turns off. My compressor is about 8 years old.
 

RPH

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Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Messages
4,190
Location
Michigan Thumb
I’d remove and clean all solenoids. Rust, debris can hold the valve open. Inspect the seats for grooves worn in by leakage.
 
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bradjacob

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Joined
Oct 18, 2023
Messages
13
I’d remove and clean all solenoids. Rust, debris can hold the valve open. Inspect the seats for grooves worn in by leakage.
I can't. Can barely get underneath their welded motor mount. Plus everything looks to be sealed with some type of locktite.
 
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bradjacob

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Oct 18, 2023
Messages
13
So when I turn ON the air-comp, the solenoid closes the value. When I turn it off, the solenoid opens the valve. I can actually feel no air escaping while the motor is running. Turn it off, and the solenoid lets it open or opens it up somehow. I have no idea what's going on.

I've unscrewed the solenoid from the valve post and cleaned the hole that slips over the valve stem.

Is it correct that there is some sort of a sliding valve that opens & closes because of the (female surrounding) solenoid's magnet?

Wondering if anyone else experienced this same situation.

Maybe the solenoid went bad and won't close when the switch is turned off. I'm incredibly frustrated and getting more so, by the day. Which of course is day 2 with no call back or return email from these CAT clowns.

Massive regret with this air compressor. Massive...
 

RPH

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Dec 17, 2006
Messages
4,190
Location
Michigan Thumb
I can't. Can barely get underneath their welded motor mount. Plus everything looks to be sealed with some type of locktite.
I made a great living doing what others said couldn’t be done. I was taught that nothing is impossible, it just take longer. If man designed it and built it. You can disassemble it for sure. Drain the air, keep tank open and precede to wrestle it into compliance. I’ve worked with every type of loctite. Everyone had I give up temperature, heat gun can be an ally here. It will fight, bite, kick but in the brains and patience wins out.
Good luck, this ain’t hard stuff.
 

Jswain

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Joined
Apr 26, 2013
Messages
2,467
Location
Calgary, AB
So when I turn ON the air-comp, the solenoid closes the value. When I turn it off, the solenoid opens the valve. I can actually feel no air escaping while the motor is running. Turn it off, and the solenoid lets it open or opens it up somehow. I have no idea what's going on.

I've unscrewed the solenoid from the valve post and cleaned the hole that slips over the valve stem.

Is it correct that there is some sort of a sliding valve that opens & closes because of the (female surrounding) solenoid's magnet?

Wondering if anyone else experienced this same situation.

Maybe the solenoid went bad and won't close when the switch is turned off. I'm incredibly frustrated and getting more so, by the day. Which of course is day 2 with no call back or return email from these CAT clowns.

Massive regret with this air compressor. Massive...
Does it leak all the air out of the tank or only for a few seconds when you turn it off? If it leaks it all, and there is a check valve down stream of it im assuming the check valve has debris in it. They are usually located on the discharge line screwed right into the tank, not sure on the California air ones though.
 

scooby074

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Joined
Oct 26, 2008
Messages
5,283
Location
Nova Scotia
Is your problem wit the unloader? I tried to check out the CAT manual for a parts breakdown but its completly unhelpful.

Some pictures of the leaky piece will do wonders.
 

Tinkerer2

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Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Messages
351
Location
Central Florida
Does it leak all the air out of the tank or only for a few seconds when you turn it off? If it leaks it all, and there is a check valve down stream of it im assuming the check valve has debris in it. They are usually located on the discharge line screwed right into the tank, not sure on the California air ones though.

They have the check valve. There is a picture showing it at my link above.
 
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