compresor plumbing????

[car-nut]

Help!!!!! I have a two stage compresor that the copper pipe that goes from the pump to the tank has fractured and is now split in two pieces. I went to a plumbing contactor/ supply store and he said I shouldn't replace it with copper as it will not hold the pressure. He thinks I should do it with black pipe. Every compresor I see has the same/similar copper line. How bad could it be? The problem I have with the black pipe is that it is not a straight shot. Even using 45 and 90 degree fittings I am not sure I can get it to work.

Any suggestions??? HELP, I have a compresor I can't use right now and it's driving me crazy.

 

[Roospike]

Copper shouldnt be a problem .......... normally. But sense you have had this issue what about flex line ? I have seen high heat / high pressure flex line used on compressor pumps to take set up quite a bit , actually it might just be the way to go but it does add to the over all cost of the compressors and thus not used on all set ups.

 

[bmwpower]

Not sure why copper wouldn't work or why your pipe burst...defective maybe? These lines usually take on a lot of heat since it's close to the head. That and maybe the line was defective could be the reason why it burst.

I would use a line like Roospike said as long as it can take high heat. It certainly can take the pressure.

 

[kbs2244]

Some plumbing shops are the wrong places to go. Some only work with water and low pressure gas lines inside the building.
Your copper was what they would call "soft" or "flex" as opposed to the stright copper pipe. I am guessing it has flared, compression type fittings at the ends.
If you find a plumber that does hookups from the city mains into the house, he should have the tube and the tools you need. They use the soft stuff underground and the stiff stuff inside the house.

 

[car-nut]

kbs2244 is correct, the copper pipe is the type that uses compresion fittings and it is 1/2" pipe.

I am not sure I would refer to it as FLEX or SOFT, as it is the large diameter though. I will try to find someone to else to make up the line.

Thanks

 

[flesburg]

Some years ago I faced a similar problem.

The copper pipe used by the manufacturer of my compressor was a hard
copper pipe used in the air conditioning industry and had "feril" (SIC?) fittings.

It has a odd dimension (ie it is measured in OD not ID) and I believe it was 3/4" OD. An air conditioning repair shop had the proper "pipe" and cut me a piece and bent it to shape. He even had new "ferils) which I could not find anywhere else. And he had a tubing bender and bent it to the right shape for me.

Copper used for water is not hard enough to handle the heat and pressure and it is not of the right diameter.

If that fails, I would order a replacement part from the compressor manufacturer.

 

[RickP330]

Copper Pipe should be fine. It is cracking because of vibration. You need to put a "Pigs tail" between the head and the tank. Just bend it in a circle before you enter the tank. I'll try to post a pic of my compressor, it has a half a "Pigs Tail" but seems to work fine.
Rick

 

[kyeakel]

I just took my measurements, the end fittings, and went to my local NAPA. They made me a hydraulic hose that can stand upto 6000lbs pressure, it's nice and flexable too.

Kipp

 

[mike348]

I just took my measurements, the end fittings, and went to my local NAPA. They made me a hydraulic hose that can stand upto 6000lbs pressure, it's nice and flexable too.

Kipp

Will the very hot air temp affect it?

 

[kyeakel]

Mine's been in over 6 months without any issues. So, all I can say is so far so good. I've got a 3 cylinder 18cfm Eaton compressor powered by a 6.5hp 220v motor feeding an 80 gal tank. I keep the whole thing at 135psi. These compressors have an anti-backflow valve in the tank so I'd guess the hose is under pressure only when the compressor is running.

Kipp

 

[Morrisman]

Re: compressor plumbing????

Help!!!!! I have a two stage compresor that the copper pipe that goes from the pump to the tank has fractured and is now split in two pieces. I went to a plumbing contactor/ supply store and he said I shouldn't replace it with copper as it will not hold the pressure. He thinks I should do it with black pipe. Every compresor I see has the same/similar copper line. How bad could it be? The problem I have with the black pipe is that it is not a straight shot. Even using 45 and 90 degree fittings I am not sure I can get it to work.

Any suggestions??? HELP, I have a compresor I can't use right now and it's driving me crazy.

We use copper for car hydraulic brake lines in the UK! I hardly think it is going to bust wide open just because you put 100psi though it on a compressor. Your plumbing guy is talking out of his rear.

Make sure you get some heavy wall stuff, not skinny water pipe. Make sure it can't bounce around else it can work harden and crack.