Husky 60gal Air Compressor HELP

[kweiner]

Hey GJ,

This past weekend I picked up an older (circa 2000) 60 gallon husky compressor from an older couple down the road. Ive seen it plugged into the wall and running, but it obviously needs some TLC before being put into service (pic below AFTER washing it). I plan to do a belt, oil, and ensure the pressure switch is working, etc. After doing a bit of research I notice the head is facing the opposite way of similar compressors (2nd pic is of another compressor I found online). It seems to me that the tube from the compressor outlet to the tank is poorly crafted and obviously wrong. I would like to correct this before I install into my barn. The pump looks like it is installed correctly, but the head is the culprit. Could I spin the head 180*? Would I need to reverse the direction of the reed valves? (not sure if these 60gal units have these like my harbor freight 21gal). My knowledge is a little lacking but I will be working on this this week!

I am also looking for a part no or a parts list to replace this tube with copper, I have had difficulty finding a solution thus far.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Terra Nova]

Can't answer definitively if the head can be rotated 180°, I have the 30 gallon version of that compressor and the plumbing matches the 2nd photo you attached. Can you get a picture of the top of the head? Seems odd and someone intentionally installed it that way, the pump is a Campbell Hausfeld, if you can find the part number it may shed some light on it. It's possible the pump was replaced with one from a different unit that was plumbed differently (like below). Either that or the motor was wired backwards and this was their 'fix'

 

[ycgoat]

I put a garage hack truck radiator in line between the head and tank by having custom braided hoses made. The head side hose had a special liner, teflon I think. Any way the hose is still hood but I blew out the radiator a few years ago

 

[The Cobbler]

it's definitely had work done to it. first question, when it's spinning, does the flywheel fan push air towards the pump (correct) or pull away from the pump? (wrong)
the copper line is just regular 1/2 soft copper and brass fittings, nothing exciting about that. regular hardware store stuff.
is there a check valve at the tank where that galvanized pipe connects? it's probably either 1/2 or 3/4 pipe thread good time to check that for leaks ..
personally, I wouldn't bother with the orientation of the outlet, but if you're really concerened , I don't see why the head & valve plate cannot be rotated, if they can't be, probably the cylinders and top end can be . but, you may be opening a can of worms that you will regret too.

 

[Pontiac787]

Does the unit work? If so, run it. Seems like you’re planning a lot of work for not a lot of reward.

 

[Citation]

I agree with The Cobbler's question about a check valve. At the top of the tank should be a 1 way valve. It is typically screwed into the tank where the air line from the pump goes into the tank. You will see the unloader valve (small black air tube to the pressure switch) attached into the check valve
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200625240_200625240 (shown as example)

It looks like that plumbing stuff they added may have a check valve in it based on where the unloader black line attaches. Also, the tank pressure gauge wouldn't work if the check valve were still inside of the tank. Looking at your picture it does appear the check valve is in that mess of piping.

As for which side of the head the air cleaner goes on, I don't see any reason why the head can't be unbolted and reversed. It doesn't affect air flow over the head and since the head contains basic reed valves there is nothing that would care about the direction of the head itself.

Honestly, other than looking like an ugly mess I don't see anything inherently wrong with keeping what's on there. It looks like the blow off valve is in the piping vs on the pressure switch. That is fine, the only requirement there is the blow off valve must be able to vent the tank.

Looking at the pictures a bit more, it looks like the copper line was probably the original part. Perhaps the owner wanted that air connector near the pressure switch and this was the only way they could make it all work with the plumbing supplies they had in the shed. Or perhaps they had to replace the pressure switch. Instead of getting one that had a 4 way base they got one without? Perhaps they damaged the threads on the pressure switch base (I replace one on my compressor for that exact reason). Anyway, it looks like all the original parts are there so you could just remove the iron stuff, reverse the head again (might need new gaskets), put the check valve back in the tank, unbend the copper pipe, put the blow off valve and pressure gauge back on the switch and call it good. I do think the lack of a fan shroud is an issue. First, it's a safety thing. Second, I think it was needed to get the air from the flywheel/fan to flow across the head.