Air compressor regulator setting

[countryboyco99]

I just installed my new 60 gal air compressor and 3/4” air lines with a 3/4” regulator. The regulator gets hard to turn when trying to set it up to 90psi. Once I get it set where I want can I just leave it there or do I have to turn it down after each use?


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[The Cobbler]

set it & leave it
as long as your pressure requirements don't change like if you're using a spray gun you'll have to readjust it

 

[cvairwerks]

Leave it where you need it. Might need to set it a little above 90 to have 90 in the lines when you run a tool.

 

[Citation]

Also set and forget. You can always add a regulator at the tool end of the line. Also a shut off valve before the regulator is a good idea.

 

[lilredex]

Check the range on that regulator, it may not go to 90#. If the spring is solid, it won't regulate...you need a heavier spring. Whose regulator is it?

I have two outlets on mine, one regulated and the other, tank pressure. The regulator is isolated when not in use, but left at the last setting.

 

[countryboyco99]

The air compressor is set to 150. I have 3/4” outlet to shut off valve, 3/4” continued to regulator then to 3/4” max line air plumbing.










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[sberry]

I set at 120 with 50 ft reel.

 

[lilredex]

Should be OK, the regulator looks to have a 0-150# range.

 

[redmondjp]

Do you have a single-stage compressor or a two-stage one? What is your maximum unregulated pressure at the compressor?

If it's 120-130psi, you can easily go unregulated just fine - heck, I've worked at shops with 150psi air and it makes the impact guns really work well.

 

[countryboyco99]

It’s a single stage compressor with the cut off set at 155psi. I’m not interested in running unregulated right now but if it gives me trouble it’s an option for the future. I was more or less just getting opinions on leaving a regulator set once you get it where you want. I have always turned off compressor and turn the regulator all the way down at the end of the day and drained the tank at the end of the weekend or when I was done with it for more than 1 or 2 days.


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[redmondjp]

Ahhh, got it. No reason to not leave the tank pressurized - I have a ball valve at the tank on mine and leave it turned off but fully pressurized. My unit will hold pressure pretty much indefinitely which is nice - not all of them will do that.

 

[HenryAZ]

Ahhh, got it. No reason to not leave the tank pressurized - I have a ball valve at the tank on mine and leave it turned off but fully pressurized. My unit will hold pressure pretty much indefinitely which is nice - not all of them will do that.

I found the weak points in my black pipe plumbing to be the manifolds, with their many fittings, so I leave the tank valve open and turn off each manifold when not in use. This will stay pressurized indefinitely. With the manifolds open and idle, the compressor kicks on about once a week. I drain the tank every day.

As far as regulator settings, I keep the reloading bench manifold set to about 20-25psi. I just need it to dust off dirt and stray powder, not destroy the whole setup. The main manifold, with the hose reel and all the air tools, stays set at 90psi, as that's what most air tools want. The third manifold's regulator is more or less wide open (160psi). I use it to fill my portable air tank (125psi max) and my one SureShot sprayer (200psi max).