Air compressor troubleshooting?

[WastedAgain440]

When I try and run my impact guns with a full tank of air my guns work at full power then slowly get weaker until they **** out completely. If I wait a minute and hit the trigger again it's back to full power. I can watch the pressure gauge on regulator go from 90psi dive down to nothing as I pull the trigger on the impact. Still have no trouble filling tires and using the blow gun?
I'm thinking the regulator is shot? What do you guys think?

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Need more info...what is your receiver (tank) pressure when you see the regulated pressure drop below 90 psi?
If the incoming pressure is higher than 90 psi as you see the regulated pressure drop, then, yes...the regulator is faulty.

 

[bsaint]

Make sure there isn't a kink in the hose.

 

[WastedAgain440]

Thanks guys, tank pressure is 120 psi. No kinks in the hose. It only happens when I use air tools be it impact, die grinder, d.a. Sander. Never does it when using blow gun or filling tires. Appreciate the help! I’ll try and get some pictures of the regulator, I wonder if it can be rebuilt?

 

[The Cobbler]

sounds like something with the flow rate . reg is restricted, hose , fittings etc. what size & lenght hose are you using? what happens if you put a plug into the hose without anything attached to it? does it blow well or does the pressure drop the same ? check the filter screens in your guns to see if they are plugged

edit, just re read OP. so it's an issue with the regulator or perhaps the check valve on the compressor not opening enough

 

[hangfirew8]

Sounds like a constriction of some sort. I had a bad quick release hose end that was killing the performance of my impact gun. Air hammer, air ratchet worked OK. Once replaced the impact really perked up. Your situation sounds similar but more extreme.

-HF

 

[Stedlin]

When I try and run my impact guns with a full tank of air my guns work at full power then slowly get weaker until they **** out completely. If I wait a minute and hit the trigger again it's back to full power. I can watch the pressure gauge on regulator go from 90psi dive down to nothing as I pull the trigger on the impact. Still have no trouble filling tires and using the blow gun?
I'm thinking the regulator is shot? What do you guys think?

It could be that the output of your compressor is very low in terms of CFM.
You didn't say what the capacity of your air tank is.
If it is for example 60 gallons, that would be 60/7.5= 8 cubic feet * 8 bar(120psi) = 64 cubic feet of air in your 60 gallon tank.
These types of air tools can consume air at rates over 30 cubic feet per minute.
Obviously the tank will be depleted rapidly unless the compressor has a good CFM rating.

 

[WaterBoyz]

Yea, more info as to your set up.

Those tools you mentioned are air hogs.

 

[WastedAgain440]

It's a old Brunner 80 or 100 gallon model H 1255, 2 stage. Not sure what it flows for cfm's, can't find label. It has had no problems running any air tools the past 20 years we've owned it. Been running the same air hose and regulator for 20 years.
I'll try and get more info on cfm and what not when I get home.

 

[Stedlin]

It's a old Brunner 80 or 100 gallon model H 1255, 2 stage. Not sure what it flows for cfm's, can't find label. It has had no problems running any air tools the past 20 years we've owned it. Been running the same air hose and regulator for 20 years.
I'll try and get more info on cfm and what not when I get home.

You could bleed the tank down to empty and time how long it takes to fill to 120PSI. You can then calculate the approximate CFM from there.

 

[jubilee]

I always set the regulator with the trigger pulled on the air gun at the end of the airline I’m using. I have some guns ( 1/2 “ thru 1”) that run at 90lbs and some I run at 120lbs. Sometimes I have 25’ of 3/8” line and sometimes 100’ of 1/2” line.

 

[whateg01]

If the regulated pressure is dropping, the restriction has to be before the regulator or on it's inlet. If it was something downstream, the regulator would just maintain that pressure.

Connect the air tool to the outlet of the compressor tank and verify that it truly is the regulator, then start breaking the lines down after that.

Dave

 

[OccupantRJ]

Your airline,could be collapsing inside, restricting flow. Try the air tool right at the regulator with no hose to see.