Having Air System Problems...

[TuckinToyz]

Hey guys. I'm lost right now and need some help lol. I have the IR 80gal 175psi 2-stage compressor. All of my air tools have a max. 90 psi rating on them. OK, so I got a regulator/filter setup from Harbor Freight (I know, I got cheap after spending $2000 on the compressor lol). http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92261 It says to not exceed 125psi. I thought this would be fine since my tools should operate at 90psi or less. So now I've got all this **** hooked up and my air tools will hardly work when I have the regulator set at 90psi. I turned up the regulator to the 125psi mark on the gauge, scared to exceed that, and the tool will operate better. But what do you guys recommend I do now? I don't think I will be able to return the regulator setup I bought since it's all assembled/used. Help?!

 

[nissan_crawler]

You could return dirty diapers to harbor freight. Just take it back and buy a quality setup.

 

[Chris Adams]

Sounds a lot like a bad regulator, but does it have a gauge?

Try setting the regulator to something like 40 lbs. Fill a tire. Check the tire with an accurate gauge. Is it at 40lbs? or over? Under?
I had one Campbell Hausfield regulator that was way low. That was 25 years ago, but it happens.

Are you using 3/8 or larger air lines?
Any kinks in the system?
Any valves between the air tools and the tank?
Does it FEEL like 90 lbs of air is coming out when you just use a spray nozzle?

If you have any other air gauge you can check the regulated pressure in just a few seconds. It should match the setting on the regulator very closely.

 

[TuckinToyz]

You could return dirty diapers to harbor freight. Just take it back and buy a quality setup.

LOL, that's good news!

 

[1320stang]

The regulator is not supposed to see greater than 125 psi on the compressor side, that's what it means by not to exceed 125 psi.

After I bought my compressor (from Sam's, 80 gal. 175 psi 2-stage) I found that Lowe's, Home Depot, nor any of my local cheap tool stores carried anything that would go up to 175 psi.

You have a couple options, you can adjust your pressure shut-off switch down lower, but I don't know if it'll go down that low. Or you can bite the bullet. I went the Ebay route and got a new regulator and a new filter good to 250 psi with 1" inlet/outlets. Mine are Norgren pieces, Wilkerson, Speedaire, Watts and Parker are all good pieces.

 

[PoorOwner]

You could return dirty diapers to harbor freight. Just take it back and buy a quality setup.

Agreed, why would you spend money on a nice compressor and restrict it with a low quality regulator.. I am very happy with my IR regulator.

 

[TuckinToyz]

I'm gonna go check on something else in the shop real quick.....

 

[TuckinToyz]

I know I shouldn't have taken the cheap route. Sometimes money is tight and you try to cut corners. Oh well...you really think they'll take it back? I should just tell them it didn't work right anyway.

Ok, so I put another gauge at the end of my line where the tool goes. With nothing running, the HF regulator guage reads 125psi. The guage at the tool reads the same. When I squeeze the trigger on the impact, the pressure on the regulator guage drops to about 75psi, and the guage at the tool drops to about 50psi.

 

[TuckinToyz]

So is this what I should have gotten then?
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311679_200311679

 

[PoorOwner]

HF will let you bring it back within 30 days with receipt.

I bought this from northern tool also.. on sale now that's good news for you. I oil my tools manually.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200311687_200311687

It appears you have huge pressure drop at the regulator or the hose after it, mine is set at 110 PSI at the regulator gauge, then when you use most moderate air tools, it drops to 90 under load, allowing the most tools to run close to 90.

 

[grzmonkey]

Tuckin, some suggestions ...how long is your air hose, what size hose, what size fittings? Your regulator may read 125 but if you are undersizing your system then there can be a signficant pressure drop by the time the air gets to the tool. Get a guage and measure the pressure at the tool with the trigger engaged...that is the best reading

 

[TuckinToyz]

Alright guys, I went today to Northern Tool and bought the IR Regulator and IR Filter 175psi stuff and I'm going to install it tonight. Should've done it right the first time, I know. I'll let you know how it works once installed. Thanks!

 

[jay50]

I know I shouldn't have taken the cheap route. Sometimes money is tight and you try to cut corners. Oh well...you really think they'll take it back? I should just tell them it didn't work right anyway.

Ok, so I put another gauge at the end of my line where the tool goes. With nothing running, the HF regulator guage reads 125psi. The guage at the tool reads the same. When I squeeze the trigger on the impact, the pressure on the regulator guage drops to about 75psi, and the guage at the tool drops to about 50psi.

'Bought that big compressor and "cut its balls off" with an cheap a$$ regulator..

 

[SteveU]

Alright guys, I went today to Northern Tool and bought the IR Regulator and IR Filter 175psi stuff and I'm going to install it tonight. Should've done it right the first time, I know. I'll let you know how it works once installed. Thanks!

Next thing to do is get some HVLP or 3/8" fittings for your air tools & hoses, more flow means more power at the same psi than the small restricted fittings such as 'A' or 'M'.

 

[eschoendorff]

Next thing to do is get some HVLP or 3/8" fittings for your air tools & hoses, more flow means more power at the same psi than the small restricted fittings such as 'A' or 'M'.

Made a big difference when I switched mine....

 

[Fast Orange]

Any filter/regulator will flow less air than the pipe size that it fits-just the nature of the beast in my experience.Also,the lower the quality of the filter/regulator,the lower the flow will be.In my experience,the best set-up is to run full system pressure-125PSI-through the system and only install a regulator at the points of use that require them.The filter/regulator should be of at least one pipe size larger than the piping it's installed in,and reducing bushings used to make the connection to the f/r.Going this route increases the storage capacity of the system and also ensures adequate flow to each point of use.For most rotary air tools,I usually don't bother with a regulator-most impact guns and air ratchets can handle the 125PSI,drills and die grinders can be cut back if needed by small flow controls installed at the hose connection.For situations requiring clean,dry regulated air,I use a DeVilbus filter regulator that is meant for use with professional paint guns that also has a dessicant filter to remove any moisture from the air.

George