Air Compressor Needs Some TLC.

[Ian S.]

Air Compressor Info Please.

What is the difference between the stock pressure switch 'CW210100SJ' (around $40) for my 5hp 20 gallon compressor and a cheap universal 4 port switch ($15-$20)?

Can I swap my 20 gallon tank for a bigger tank?

Thanks,
Ian S.

 

[Ian S.]

Bump

 

[zkling]

Can you post some more info? Like what compressor you have, pump, etc. A pic would help greatly as well.

It sounds like you have a small CH portable compressor? You could swap the tank for a larger one, just have to be careful on how large of a tank you are talking. You will get into the duty cycle of the pump/motor. If it runs for too long of a time it can overheat the pump/motor. Usually pumps and tanks are kinda a matched item. Ex. you won't see a tiny pump on a large tank (long run time) nor will you see a large pump on a tiny tank (pump won't get up to temp). Of course there are exceptions to those, primarily the latter (ex. portable compressors).

 

[kams1973]

On the pressure switch....if the amp rating on the less expensive switch is adequate, you shouldn't have any problem.

On the bigger tank....you can put the pump and motor on any size tank you want, but it probably won't serve any benefit. The pump is going to make the same amount of air regardless of tank size. In addition, longer pump up times with a larger tank may mean shorter pump/motor life.

 

[CNGsaves]

Post up some pics with details. What are symptoms or problems??

Is this a oil-less compressor . . . . or oil splash??

Hard to get good advice from fellow GJer's when they have to use ESP (extra sensory perception) !!

Now would be a good time to Update GJ Profile with City / State / Country.

 

[Ian S.]

I apologize for not too much info in my first post, but being partially brain dead can have it's bad points.

My compressor is a CH WL611000 5hp 20 gallon upright compressor. I bought it at an auction without trying it first, just took my chances. I paid $50 for it and afterwards, I found the compressor had fallen over as the exhaust tube was bent and the ferrule was on crooked. The pressure switch was also broken and the compressor wouldn't fill properly.

I took the pressure switch along with the safety release valve off my small 8 gallon 150psi compressor, fixed the exhaust tube (Not a permanent fix) and got the big one going. It works OK, but it leaks air (with the compressor full and not using it, it turns back on about every 90 minutes or so).

I'm going to replace all the plumbing along with the pressure gauge and the pressure regulator.

Ian S.

 

[mr-compressor]

A few things to consider:

* Make sure that the safety valve is of the same pressure as the original one!
* Is the new pressure switch of the same (electrical) rating as the old one? If it's smaller. expect to see problems in the future (burned out pressure switch).

Can't you hear where the leaking is coming from?

These compressors often leak through the unloader valve when stopped. If this is the case, the problem is with the checkvalve (on the tank).

good buy btw

 

[Ian S.]

Can't you hear where the leaking is coming from?

When the compressor starts when empty, there is a leak that I can hear but it goes away after about 20 seconds.

I decided I'm going to replace everything on top, the pressure switch, pressure regulator and gauge and all the tubing.

Ian

 

[sgs236]

Before I would start replacing parts, I would use some soapy water to see if I could find the leak.

 

[Ian S.]

I needed a new pressure switch as the one on my compressor bit the bullet. I got a cheapie ($16, free shipping) from eBay last January and it doesn't work that well (no surprise I guess). A friend has an old Square D switch that he gave me but the HP rating for 110V and single phase is only 2HP.

As I am unemployed at the moment and only doing part time work, the $40 (plus shipping) for the proper pressure switch is going to have to wait. Using this Square D switch, how much of a problem will it be to use it for a couple of months, or is this out of the question?


Another thing, isn't a 5HP motor on a 20 gallon compressor overkill?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[EDGAR]

You can be sure that it is nowhere near 5 hp. You can only get about 1.8 HP from 110 Volts. There is a formula for finding that somewhere.

 

[Ian S.]

The other compressor is an older 1HP Ceccato pancake compressor. I'll use the Square D pressure switch from that one. What about the air pump? The one on the Campbell Hausfeld is a crappy little oiless unit, while the pump on the Ceccato compressor, it an oiled unit.

This is my current pump...


This is the other pump...


Can I put the pump from the Ceccato onto the motor from the CH compressor? Would it be worth it, is it a better pump?

Thanks,
Ian

 

[bsaint]

Judging by your pictures, any standard compressor pressure switch will work. I bet that unit pulls 5amps max.