Lowes Air Compressor Regulator Fail

[gordon_gjs]

Well the air regulator on my new air compressor from Lowes failed on me the other day. I was not at home at the time but my wife was home and she told me that the cats turned on the air compressor in the garage.
I thought to myself for a minute that they couldnt turn it on because it was unplugged. But I wouldnt put it pass them to figure it out because once they managed to turned my shop vac on while I was at work.

But long story short I went into the garage saturday to find the air compressor like this...

I didnt really feel like loading the air compressor into the truck and hauling it around, so I took the regulator off, printed the reciept and off to lowes it was.

When I made it there I told the lady at the return desk what had happen and she tried calling someone from hardware, but as usual they were all at lunch.
I told her that they sell regulators off the shelf and that it would fix the issue. So she said ok go grab one and we will swap it out with the broken one.

So I made it home, installed the new regulator and the air compressor is back working agian.

I know the regulator I got upgraded to is not the best one out there but it sure beats the hell out of the original one that it came with. I cannot believe that they expected a little cheap plastic cap was suppose to hold air pressure and the spring. I could definitely see why it failed.


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[PT Doc]

That reg looked exactly like my 10 year old. Mine lasted this long until the gauge failed. Hope that one lasts longer.

 

[metalhead212121]

its sad. Companies just dont care about putting out a quality product. I truely believe that getting the maximum amount of profit is their only goal.

Dan

 

[Slowboat]

I like the tool holder that fits around the compressor - where did you find that - looks Kobalt...I wouldn't mind freeing up some drawer space.

 

[gordon_gjs]

I like the tool holder that fits around the compressor - where did you find that - looks Kobalt...I wouldn't mind freeing up some drawer space.

I got it from lowes. It was the best $15 bucks I spent on the air compressor... it held all of my air tools and gave me one of my drawers back in my tool cabinet. Here is the link...
http://www.lowes.com/pd_353046-555-KB2121_0__?productId=3439338&Ntt=kobalt+pocket&pl=1&currentURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dkobalt%2Bpocket&facetInfo=

 

[PT Doc]

God thing no cats were harmed during the fiasco.

 

[jhelrey]

I removed my regulator because I prefer not to have one so no failure for me!

 

[gordon_gjs]

I removed my regulator because I prefer not to have one so no failure for me!

I plan on t-ing off before the regulator and adding a on/off valve for 2 reasons...

1.To get 150psi out of the compressor because the regulator only supplys an output of 120psi max.
2.Incase the new regulator breaks I can always shut it off and still use the compressor.

 

[Davefr]

The regulators on these are ****. (Same regulator as the Chinese one that sells for $4.99 at HF.)

It's also possible that it was damaged. These compressors are very top heavy.

The rest of the compressor is good so replace it and move on.

 

[scott4]

hmm. wonder if some preventative maintenance is in order here for mine.

 

[Tarheelgarage]

Looks good but you should consider adding a filter/water seperator just before the quick connect.

 

[Trey T]

Unfortunately, the replacement one might not be a good one either. I purchased one 5-6yrs ago and it crapped out on me after a few years. I kept it for awhile but thrown it out last sunday.