Compressor pressure regulator

[CraigStu]

I bought this compressor the other week and installed it.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-30-Gallon-175-Oil-Lubricated-Portable-Air-Compressor/5000042449

It has an adjustable pressure regulator which is a new one to me. While looking I didn't think much of it as a + or a - but I see that the pressure gauge goes to about 170 while the gauge on the regulator only gets to 155-160. My old compressor has no regulator and I have a regulator that is all set up w/ hose and quick connects that I used to use in our previous house to blow out the irrigation system. So I don't need it. Should I unscrew it and file it? Do regulators like this restrict flow?

 

[sandersd]

Air tools have a recommended and maximum working pressure. You need to adjust the pressure at the hose side to match. For example, nail guns are around 90 psi Max. Too little pressure and it will not fully drive the nail. Too much and you can damage the gun seals. Hope this helps.

 

[sandersd]

If you don’t need the regulator I would not remove it. Just open it all the way and leave it.

 

[PoorUB]

I would leave it in, but if you need full pressure perhaps add a tee fitting between it and the tank and add a coupler for those times, or add a tee fitting at some other spot, like the pressure relief, but be sure to put the relief back in place!!

 

[haveissues]

I don't think there is any harm leaving it. While a regulator can restrict flow I doubt it will restrict flow on your compressor.

 

[nadogail]

Have you really read your instruction manual that was packed with the machine?

 

[FredWanaker]

One gauge reads up to the tank pressure and one the hose pressure. Don't put more pressure into the hoses than you need.

 

[brownbagg]

you need it, mainly to keep the compressor from burning up. 150 going be your max

 

[u2slow]

The regulator does a different job than the pressure switch.

The small 1/4" npt 90psi regulator on my compressor was a choke point. I ran the 1/4" npt directly to a 1/2" hose.

I'm in the process up upping both to 1/2" npt so I can have good volume at a regulated pressure.