air compressor intake problem..help?

[Brian_B_]

Hi all,

I have an old Sanborn "Black Max" compressor. It is a 240V, 5 HP, 60 gallon upright. I did not see any information on the compressor unit itself. However, it apprears to be 2 cylinders. I know it is not two stage.


I am not at home to get the model number. I can get it tomorrow if it is needed. I think the original owner purchased it in the early 90s.

I have been reading the many threads about the intake being a huge part of the noise. I thought I would investigate mine and see if a silencer would fit.

Here is what I found.... It appears to be some sort of metallic screen. It is coated in many colors of automotive paints. Yellow seems to be the latest. I cannot see any way that it is fastened in. Running my fingers over it..I could not feel any openings behind it that seem big enough for any sort of pipe fitting or anything.


Does anyone have a clue what I should do?

Just additional pic of compressor itself:

 

[kams1973]

Post a picture of the top of the compressor pump

 

[930dreamer]

I'd move it away from the wall for better air flow, remove the painted filter media and replace with some new stuff.

 

[Brian_B_]

I'd move it away from the wall for better air flow, remove the painted filter media and replace with some new stuff.

Any clue how it is fastened in there? Where would I look for more of it?

I was afraid to mess with it until I have a replacement in hand. Small town in the middle of no where.

I will get pics of the top of it tomorrow. I am not at my house tonight. I see red, black, and possibly gray automotive paint under the yellow.. I have no clue how its getting air through that mess.

Thank you gentlemen..

 

[930dreamer]

A metal screen is probably holding the filter pad in place, pry out and replace, lightly oil a piece of lawn mower type filter.

 

[Pro-Painter]

I use to have that same compressor and had the exact same issue. The filter will pry out easy with a screwdriver, finding a replacement is almost impossible.

I went around the world and back looking for a replacement filter, or something that would work and came up with nothing good. I even talked to Coleman-powermate many times with no help what-so-ever.

I ended up buying the nicest (thickest) furnace filter I could find (Lowe's), cut it to size, coated the edges with thick hi temp silicone, and then trimmed the silicone to size so that it fit in the pump tight. It seemed to work well, but I always worried about it.

 

[Brian_B_]

I use to have that same compressor and had the exact same issue. The filter will pry out easy with a screwdriver, finding a replacement is almost impossible.

I went around the world and back looking for a replacement filter, or something that would work and came up with nothing good. I even talked to Coleman-powermate many times with no help what-so-ever.

I ended up buying the nicest (thickest) furnace filter I could find (Lowe's), cut it to size, coated the edges with thick hi temp silicone, and then trimmed the silicone to size so that it fit in the pump tight. It seemed to work well, but I always worried about it.

Hmmm....thanks for the information. It is nice that you have first hand knowledge. Bad design basically.

I will try to get it out tomorrow. Any chance soaking it in some sort of solvent or aircraft paint remover would clean it up?