Accurate, reliable compressor regulator?

[Lu-Max]

I am about to upgrade my entire home workshop air system: new compressor, piping, water separator and coalescing oil separator. I already have two big 3" glycerin filled gauges that I will be able to read from across the workshop, but now I need recommendations for a regulator. I actually plan to install 2 regulators, one on each side of the shop for the separate lines.

I want something accurate & reliable. An easy access or easy to grip pressure adjusting knob would also be great. Price is not particularly important; but when I set 90PSI I want 90PSI and not somewhere between 80-100, and a plastic knob that breaks off in 6 months is also a no-go item.

Recommendations? Thanks.

 

[larry_g]

Curious as to what tool or machine you are supplying that will need such an accurate and tight pressure? If you really need the tight tolerances then you are likely to end up with a two stage unit and some really big dollars.

I have used these in the past on some machines, http://www.numatics.com/applications/products/frl/frl.aspx

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Lu-Max]

Not really big dollars necessarily, I'm leaning toward Parker or Wilkerson brand, definitely not I.R. or C.H.

The regulators I have now are not very accurate and it drives me nuts. I set 70PSI and a bit later my gauge reads 85. Else I will be cutting and not getting the performance I expect only to see the PSI 10-15 below where I set it. I also prefer an accurate PSI arriving at my spray gun or airbrush regulator, this makes small adjustments on those far more stable.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Wilkerson is owned by Parker, but operated as a separate company. I expect that someday it will be merged and disappear. I like Wilkerson products.

Norgren makes good stuff too. Much of it is made in Mexico but of good quality.

Plastic knobs don't break unless abused. You are going to set it and leave it, so why worry. They are all plastic, even the best ones.

 

[A_Pmech]

Single stage regulators will always change their output pressure by some proportion of input pressure. It is inherent to the design of all single stage regulators.

 

[Lu-Max]

My new compressor should keep the input pressure to the regulator mostly constant with the possible exception of when using my smallish blast cabinet, but then PSI is not that critical (when blasting crud off of metal).

 

[Charles (in GA)]

for the paint sprayers, you probably want a dedicated line with a second regulator, and filters and separators suited to painting. For other work, just come off the single regulator.

 

[sberry]

I put a little filter and reg ahead of my paint line.

 

[Wizzard]

The Milton 1108 regulator/drain duo is top notch, also made in the USA: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AXCFS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Responds quickly and stays at the pressure set to. I've used a few regs and this is the best by a mile.

 

[larry_g]

When shopping keep in mind that the diameter of the diaphragm is proportional the the sensitivity of the regulator. The larger the diaphragm the more sensitive the regulator.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Lu-Max]

I decided to go with two WILKERSON regulators, I'll post how they worked out once they are installed and I've had a chance to use them for a bit. Thanks.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

http://fairchildproducts.com/subcat/6/High_Precision_Pressure_Regulators.php

 

[Lu-Max]

Too late, but thanks.

 

[Will McRay]

Which one did you go with?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What I like about Wilkerson is the very complete catalog and air systems manual. Here is the LINK to the complete, current air systems manual and catalog, in PDF format.

Charles

 

[Lu-Max]

Wilkerson R18-04-F000
I'm going to give them a try and will report back. I found several regulators that are marketed as high precision regulators (Fairchild was one brand), but the cost was substantially more. If these do not work out I will try one of them.