Firing Up an Old Compressor

[Bull]

Years ago, I bought this compressor from a fellow GJ member who was clearing out his shop. I haven't had it hooked up for several years because the one outlet in my garage where I could plug it in became inaccessible. I just had a new outlet wired for it.

From a safety standpoint, is there anything that I need t do before pressurizing the tank? I was always good about draining it, but it's old and I certainly don't want to experience a rupture. If tanks have been drained but have sat for long periods of time, does corrosion become sort of a guarantee?

Also, do I need a pressure regulator? The compressor didn't have one when I bought it, and I never installed one.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

You should have no problems. Run it.

 

[nomadicbohunk]

Just run it.

 

[csp]

Pressure regulator only if you plan on running air tools that shouldn't see whatever max pressure the compressor will go to.

 

[seber]

Turn it over by hand for a couple of revolutions to get some oil into the bearings. Dry starts are less than ideal.

 

[Bull]

Thanks, guys. I feel better about just running it now.

Have any of you ever experienced a ruptured tank, or is it like getting struck by lightning in terms of rarity?

 

[seber]

I've had two ruptured tank in my life. One rusted out and started leaking slowly which got worse until it was unusable. The other got hit while under pressure. The hole was too big for the pump to overcome so I eventually welded that one.

 

[The Cobbler]

you should be fine running it. an oil change wouldn't hurt . check the belt condition & tension .you could run it up to about 60 psi and check for leaks along the bottom welds and tank, but you're probably OK .
regulator is strongly advisable IMO

 

[DTE]

I would want to watch the gauge and make sure it shuts off at a reasonable pressure, and make sure the pressure relief valve works. That is when one will explode.

 

[marinusdees]

I would want to watch the gauge and make sure it shuts off at a reasonable pressure, and make sure the pressure relief valve works. That is when one will explode.

An explosion, by definition, requires a combustible gas. They burst, rupture, whatever you want to say, not an explosion. Can scare the s--- out of you. Or, in a very rare instance, hurt you. I would, it it was mine (it's not) make sure it had oil in it and light it up. If you are really concerned, light it up and drive into town. Come back after lunch.

 

[DTE]

An explosion, by definition, requires a combustible gas. They burst, rupture, whatever you want to say, not an explosion. Can scare the s--- out of you. Or, in a very rare instance, hurt you. I would, it it was mine (it's not) make sure it had oil in it and light it up. If you are really concerned, light it up and drive into town. Come back after lunch.

I do not think I used the word explosion , as it has a different meaning than the word explode. But if the pressure pressure switch should fail to shut it off at a safe pressure and the pressure release valve should not open it will do more than burst. So those would be my concerns with something that has been out of service.

 

[matt_i]

An ASME-certified tank won't explode even if you over pressurize it.

The ducility of the material is very high and the welds are also. This stops a crack from "fast fracturing" which means propagate at the speed of sound in that material, which, for practical purposes its instantaneous.

"Leak before break" is the criteria which is used for higher confidence pressure vessels like propane tanks and vessels holding even more sinister chemicals.

 

[Bull]

Now that you've mentioned it, I remember that when it was in service I was experiencing a situation where once it had built up a lot of pressure, instead of just shutting off, the safety valve would release instead, but the compressor kept running. I'm pretty sure that was on this unit and not the portable I have. I am waiting for a new tank drain valve/hose assembly to arrive so I can't test this yet.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

I have that compressor. I'd add the regulator and use it, should be fine.

 

[Bull]

I have that compressor. I'd add the regulator and use it, should be fine.

While working on my Firebird this morning, I happened to notice tucked in a corner of the garage a filter/regulator that must be at least 25 years old, but new in the box. Score!