How do you use a Air Filter Regulator Combo?

[CZ Eddie]

After several years of small air compressor, I upgraded to the big 80GAL/5HP type that does not come with built-in air regulator.

So I bought a Air Filter Regulator Combo. It's a regulator + filter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSZOIN3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've got a couple issues.

First, I think I installed it backwards.
Meaning it supposedly has directional arrows and I went against the grain, so to speak. Huge deal? I suspect it just means it's just that water won't be filtered before it hits the regulator, which is fine because I have 25' of DIY 1/2" copper water-trap before this assembly.

Second, I can't figure out how to regulate the air.
My old compressors just let me turn a dial and pressure would drop to whatever I set it to.

This one has a twist knob on the bottom and when I turn it, air comes out and then before pressure drops to whatever I set it to, my air compressor turns on again and starts building pressure.
So I never get down to the pressure I set it to because the air compressor wants higher pressure.

What am I doing wrong?

EDIT:
Reversing it fixed the issue. So it wasn't user error in the sense of not knowing how to use it, but rather... in the sense of installation.

 

[sberry]

Start with plumb it the right direction.

 

[CZ Eddie]

Start with plumb it the right direction.

I'm not touching the plumbing unless it's the reason for the issue I'm having.

 

[sberry]

I was gonna come up with a profound smart azz comment but I can't. Only thing I can ask, which direction is the regulator plumbed?

 

[justanengineer]

Regulators usually are designed to flow in one direction as are filters. Reversing flow will often damage both. Switch the plumbing and if it doesn’t solve the issue then replace the unit.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lucid Moments]

If you do indeed have it plumbed wrong I would bet money that is the root of your problem. Think about how the regulator has to work. On the inflow side the pressure always has to be at your compressors pressure. The outflow side is what you are regulating and that is going to be lower. And if you have it set lower than the pressure your compressor is set to come on at then you have the problem that you have with the compressor coming on.

 

[engineer2]

Filter first, then regulator.

 

[CZ Eddie]

If you do indeed have it plumbed wrong I would bet money that is the root of your problem. Think about how the regulator has to work. On the inflow side the pressure always has to be at your compressors pressure. The outflow side is what you are regulating and that is going to be lower. And if you have it set lower than the pressure your compressor is set to come on at then you have the problem that you have with the compressor coming on.

Is that how it works?
I figured it worked somewhat like a water faucet.
Geez, thanks for the explanation.

 

[matt_i]

First, I think I installed it backwards.

Second, I can't figure out how to regulate the air.

What am I doing wrong?

You installed it backwards......that's why it won't regulate.

 

[Lucid Moments]

I'm not touching the plumbing unless it's the reason for the issue I'm having.

Is that how it works?
I figured it worked somewhat like a water faucet.
Geez, thanks for the explanation.

It seemed like you must have needed it since you plumbed it wrong and then didn't want to change it.

 

[CZ Eddie]

It seemed like you must have needed it since you plumbed it wrong and then didn't want to change it.

Nice guess. I ignore yours and other posts in this thread because that's what they come off as ....guesses that my own Mother could have suggested.

I explained my reasoning behind not changing it in the OP but I guess you skimmed past that.

Now I'm back to wondering if anyone out there actually knows if this is really the issue or if they're just guessing also.

Because changing out the plumbing is going to be a huge PITA.

 

[dcummer]

Nice guess. I ignore yours and other posts in this thread because that's what they come off as ....guesses that my own Mother could have suggested.

I explained my reasoning behind not changing it in the OP but I guess you skimmed past that.

Now I'm back to wondering if anyone out there actually knows if this is really the issue or if they're just guessing also.

Because changing out the plumbing is going to be a huge PITA.

Yes - this is the issue. The regulator absolutely has an IN and an OUT. The OUT pressure is balanced against a diaphragm and (adjustable) spring, and allows air from the IN to pass as necessary. You can't connect it backwards and expect it to function.

 

[sberry]

There is probably an 800 number on the box, call them, tell them you need to return it because you are too dumb to own it.

 

[CZ Eddie]

I'm sorry if my last response came off poorly.
I just get frustrated by armchair guesses or people who take the time to respond but don't take the time to provide context to their response.

I can accept somthing like "Hey I'm just guessing, but I think that's the problem". That's fine, thank you because guesses do help. I'll probably ignore it but I'm glad you admitted it was a guess.

But if it's not just a guess, then let someone know. Like "Hey I know for sure that's the problem because.... (see below)".

Yes - this is the issue. The regulator absolutely has an IN and an OUT. The OUT pressure is balanced against a diaphragm and (adjustable) spring, and allows air from the IN to pass as necessary. You can't connect it backwards and expect it to function.

Perfect response, thank you!

 

[CZ Eddie]

There is probably an 800 number on the box, call them, tell them you need to return it because you are too dumb to own it.

Thanks, happy Thanksgiving.

 

[Lucid Moments]

After several years of small air compressor, I upgraded to the big 80GAL/5HP type that does not come with built-in air regulator.

So I bought a Air Filter Regulator Combo. It's a regulator + filter.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSZOIN3/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I've got a couple issues.

First, I think I installed it backwards.
Meaning it supposedly has directional arrows and I went against the grain, so to speak. Huge deal? I suspect it just means it's just that water won't be filtered before it hits the regulator, which is fine because I have 25' of DIY 1/2" copper water-trap before this assembly.

Second, I can't figure out how to regulate the air.
My old compressors just let me turn a dial and pressure would drop to whatever I set it to.

This one has a twist knob on the bottom and when I turn it, air comes out and then before pressure drops to whatever I set it to, my air compressor turns on again and starts building pressure.
So I never get down to the pressure I set it to because the air compressor wants higher pressure.

What am I doing wrong?

Nice guess. I ignore yours and other posts in this thread because that's what they come off as ....guesses that my own Mother could have suggested.

I explained my reasoning behind not changing it in the OP but I guess you skimmed past that.

Now I'm back to wondering if anyone out there actually knows if this is really the issue or if they're just guessing also.

Because changing out the plumbing is going to be a huge PITA.

I don't see anything in the OP where you explained why you don't want to change the plumbing, all I see is you explaining the problem you have and a totally wrong guess about the consequences of doing it wrong in the first place.

 

[lilredex]

First, I think I installed it backwards.
Meaning it supposedly has directional arrows and I went against the grain, so to speak. Huge deal?

What am I doing wrong?

Yes. If installed backwards it will act like a check valve and just shut off and not regulate. The valve in it is normally open and shuts off when the regulated setting is reached. Turn it around if you want it to regulate properly.

 

[CZ Eddie]

I don't see anything in the OP where you explained why you don't want to change the plumbing, all I see is you explaining the problem you have and a totally wrong guess about the consequences of doing it wrong in the first place.

Yep, I was referring to my incorrect assumption (which I admitted was just a guess).

Yes. If installed backwards it will act like a check valve and just shut off and not regulate. The valve in it is normally open and shuts off when the regulated setting is reached. Turn it around if you want it to regulate properly.

Thank you, lilredex.

Not at all looking forward to reversing this thing.
Due to close proximity to wall/ceiling intersection and the need to be on a ladder, this is gonna ****.

 

[lilredex]

For anyone unsure of how these regulators work, look at the cutaway diagram for a Fisher type 64 below, the one I use.

The main spring pushes down on the inner valve (#6) and keeps it open until the regulated setting is reached, which pushes the diaphragm up against the main adjusting spring and shuts off the valve. It cycles in use.

Turning it around, any pressure above the set point will keep it closed, acting like a check valve.

http://www.grisa.com.mx/web/images/pdf/FISHER Reguladores/FISHER Manual serie 64.pdf

 

[MJD1]

There is a reason for the arrow, but enough of that. I have used hydraulic pipe swivels when I had to deal with something that had limited room to swivel an item in place. Pipe unions would be another option

 

[Wrench97]

You need to mount it where it is easy to get to in order to drain the water out of the filter daily.