Air compressor coupling question

[MikeH]

I bought an inexpensive manifold kit off of Amazon because there were a couple of things that I didn’t like about what was on a compressor I had. It looked (upon wick inspection) like it had plugs attached instead of QC couplers, but I figured no big deal, I just won’t use them and I’ll put on the couplers I want anyway. When I got it, they are actually these items, which the paperwork calls couplers. What the heck are they, is there any real advantage to using them? Should I buy female couplers and use these things, or go with my original plan and leave them out, and use make couplers?

 

[timgunn1962]

They look like a sleeve shutoff valve I've seen on a few cheap, small compressors over here (UK), mostly Italian-made ones.

Inlet on the right. With the sleeve slid to the right, air gets into the sleeve, but has nowhere to go. The hole on the right is open and vents out whatever is connected on the left. Slide the sleeve left and the air can go through the hole and feed whatever is connected on the left. It seems like a low-flow design and doesn't give quick-release, just shutoff.

I'd just replace them with whatever quick-release fittings you are comfortable with.

We don't need them, or QR, so we replace them with Camozzi Rapid fittings for the 8mm od nylon tubing we use for our control air systems: nothing like a typical GJ application.

 

[The Cobbler]

have you made sure they're regular pipe thread IPS? if they are from Britain it may be BPS

 

[MikeH]

They appear to be NPT, but I’m not sure how close the two are. I Can Thread a plug in two or three turns before hitting resistance. Would I be able to do that if they were different thread standards?

 

[The Cobbler]

BSP is close to NPT, not sure how many turns you can get in with mismatched. but it sounds like you're OK

 

[MikeH]

I just realized I could compare to these parts, which were meant to go there. They thread all the way in to the flats (both sides do) so clearly they are something different than NPT. I’ll return it, and probably get the “American Pattern” front the same listing. I got this option because I wanted two outlets, but not bad enough to could on just the thread sealer. Thanks for raising this question before I got in too deep to return.

 

[Firebrick43]

They appear to be NPT, but I’m not sure how close the two are. I Can Thread a plug in two or three turns before hitting resistance. Would I be able to do that if they were different thread standards?

Bsp is 1/8-28 vs Npt 1/8-27 and Bsp 1/4-19 vs NPT 1/4-18. In both cases you can start the fittings easily and in about 2 to 3 turns but it will ****** the threads if you tighten with a wrench.

 

[The Cobbler]

The most common coupler is MIlton M style . some people go to a high flow system, but usually not necessary .
Stedlin ( on here) have amazing couplers.
I like to use good quality couplers as the cheapies often leak with very little use on them , the plug is not as critical I find

 

[Firstram]

They look like slide check valves as mentioned above. Leave those in place and add a standard quick connect, they'll shut off the air and relieve the pressure making it much easier to connect/disconnect hoses.