Air compressor help

[rantingmadhare]

I acquired this Ingersoll Rand SS3J5.5GH-WB for a bargain but is missing the regulator and has some other monkey business done to it. The Honda GX 160 has spark and a mostly clean gas tank, so will be getting just a tank flush, oil change, new air filter, and new spark plug. I plan to change the oil in the compressor unit and replace the missing air filter unit. It has suction on the inlet, so hopefully it will put out some pressure. I will not run it though without the filter. Any other suggestions for maintenance checks? This is my first compressor, though I have operated this type before.

Also, any suggestions on a replacement regulator assembly? Original individual Ingersoll Rand parts are adding up fast to much more than I bought the unit for. At least this came with an unloader valve and overpressure relief valve, so should be somewhat safe to operate as-is sans any manual pressure adjustment? If I get this operational it will also get a paint job to address the rust.

 

[GeoBruin]

When I see rust on the outside of the tank I really wonder about rust on the inside of the tank. Does it drain clean? Don't want to split the tank open when you start to pressurize it.

 

[Jswain]

I wouldn't worry much about a regulator until you verify it works good. The ss3 pumps are very simple and parts are readily available if you do need them. Make sure it has oil, check that the safety valves aren't seized closed and pressure it up then let it sit overnight to make sure the tank isn't leaking

 

[rantingmadhare]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. This was a state surplus find so might have spent its life riding on a truck. There were ten or so to choose from and this was one of the better ones. For $50 I figure it was a good gamble. Others were missing motor exhausts or carbs, locked up pumps or motors, gas tanks full of rust, etc. Basic parts are on the way so should be able to fire it up later this week and see how much air it will put out.

 

[The Cobbler]

it looks in good shape to me. remember these are construction machines so often used int he weather & left outside so they can tend to look rougher than portable electric ones.
I don't see the pilot valve? it lowers the RPMs of the motor & blows off air when tank pressure is reached.
I have one that i,m refurbishing, it doesn't have a regulator on it , I suspect they get removed for use with multiple guns etc ( less restriction )
I would address see how it runs, see how well it builds air before you spend a lot of $$ on it, but I suspect you have a nice machine there

 

[redmondjp]

it looks in good shape to me. remember these are construction machines so often used int he weather & left outside so they can tend to look rougher than portable electric ones.
I don't see the pilot valve? it lowers the RPMs of the motor & blows off air when tank pressure is reached.
I have one that i,m refurbishing, it doesn't have a regulator on it , I suspect they get removed for use with multiple guns etc ( less restriction )
I would address see how it runs, see how well it builds air before you spend a lot of $$ on it, but I suspect you have a nice machine there

Agreed. I just wanted to point out that not all gas-powered air compressors have the engine speed control feature - I would say that this is limited to the higher-flow/HP units. My Ingersoll-Rand wheelbarrow compressor with a Briggs 5HP engine on it just dumps pressure once it hits its setpoint, but the engine runs at a fixed speed. I suspect that this unit does the same.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

I believe the plastic air line existing the manifold just above the pilot valve, connecting to the engine is the idle kick-down feature.

 

[The Cobbler]

I believe the plastic air line existing the manifold just above the pilot valve, connecting to the engine is the idle kick-down feature.

I would agree. I don't know why I didn't see that yesterday! LOL

 

[redmondjp]

I believe the plastic air line existing the manifold just above the pilot valve, connecting to the engine is the idle kick-down feature.

It could be, but we would have to know where the other end goes. On mine, it just goes to the opposite side tank (for some reason). I remember this because I had to fix it when I first bought the compressor.