Air compressor making noise only when in use (not when pump is on)....

[jmilch]

Greetings guys...

Setup: 80 Gallon vertical, 20 CFM 3 cylinder, 2 stage, 5HP 220V air compressor. (most of this is irrelevent, but I figured someone may ask)

When I am using an air tool, and impact wrench for example, I hear a hollow vibrating sound coming from the tank area.

The pump is not running when this happens. It sounds very much like a stuck valve, or a valve that is not opening all the way. I can feel the vibration coming from the regulator I believe, and is causing the huge tank to amplify the sound.

I have never had a regulator go bad, so my question is, would this be a realistic possibility?


I double checked the check valve on the air inlet, and it is in sound working order, and is not leaking or making any extra noises.

 

[larry_g]

It is a good guess that the regulator is the culprit. Try it at a different pressure setting. If no change then remove the pressure from the inlet to the regulator and open the top and check for a bad diaphragm or dirt in the orifice. Rebuild kits are avaiable for good regulators, replacements for the cheaper ones.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[jmilch]

It is a good guess that the regulator is the culprit. Try it at a different pressure setting. If no change then remove the pressure from the inlet to the regulator and open the top and check for a bad diaphragm or dirt in the orifice. Rebuild kits are avaiable for good regulators, replacements for the cheaper ones.

lg
no neat sig line

I am going to take the regulator apart tomorrow. It is a high quality IR regulator, made circa late 1980's. It is rated for 180 PSI, and I have the pressure on the tank set to 160 currently. I will put 125 in the tank, stop the pump and dial back the regularot and see what happens.

I just have never had a regulator stick or give me any issue.

Thanks for the reply.