Need help with “bargain” Ingersoll Rand SS5 compressor.

[Short Round]

Not sure I was terribly smart. I bought about a 8 year old IR SS5 single stage 5hp 80 gallon compressor. The tractor supply version.

I bought it knowing it ran, runs without hitting the high pressure cut off switch which should be about 135 psi.


I wired it up last night, 30 amp, 220v, 50 foot run. No issues with the Emerson electric motor, starts, no hesitation, no trips on the 30 amp standard not slow trip breaker.

Cut in is 80-85 psi and that does work.

It hits 100 psi fairly quickly, around 4-5 minutes. It is just warm to the touch.
It will run about 5 minutes more before topping out at 122 psi. Compressor is hot by then.

No air leaks or minimal, test was done with valve off tank shut. I did a second test with the filter off, no difference.

Contacts on switch look ok but not new. I have watched them snap closed.

It still has old oil in it, full up to thread bottom on filler and is quite black. Sight glass is totally black.

Runs relatively quiet.


Not sure where to go from here.

Gasket issue?
Reed valves week or dirty?
Rings or cylinders shot?


Gasket kits are $35-40
Gaskets, reed valves and top plate kit is $280
Ring kits are another $180 iirc
New SS5 loose compressor replacement is 489 from northern tools.

So far I am $100 invested.




Btw, I may not check back until much later today. Working.

Thanks in advance.

 

[GrayFlattop]

For $100 you still made a good deal.

Re-set the high pressure limit switch to 120 psi, change the oil and run it until it won't run any more.

That said, you might want to check your voltage with a DMM. If you are a log run from your main panel, you may have too much voltage drop.

If you are convinced the pump is the issue, I'd take it apart to investigate - with the idea of replacing the entire pump as a "worst-case" outcome.

 

[Short Round]

Thanks, that was kind of my starting thoughts re a take down and inspection. Fix it if it is gasket blow by. The top plate fix is questionable when for not a lot more you get the whole compressor. Anything like piston problems on the crank bearings or the cylinder walls and immediately go to new compressor.

The max run in the manual is fifty or seventy five feet iirc. I will double check online.

From what I understand the OEM pressure switch is a non adjustable type. I did think about running at a lower max pressure setting anyhow just to be kind to the compressor.

If it is adjustable I would definitely lower the shut off like you suggest. I would be content dialed back.

I am also going on the assumption the gage works close to indicated numbers.


Edit, A bit of crud inside is kind of expected. It was run in a friend’s welding shop for two years then was a mostly idle back up in his father’s auto shop. It was not used much there as they knew it was insufficient for their needs. They had a much larger old machine and now a much larger new machine.

The old man wanted it gone, I wasn’t going to buy that style and would have got the Italian made HF 80 gallon compressor. A hundred bucks was the tease.....delivered no less!

 

[Citation]

Have you done a time to pressure measurement? Here is a website that lets you calculate time to fill the compressor
https://www.compressorwale.com/calc...o-check-the-efficiency-of-air-compressor.html

Time how long it takes to get yours to say 100 psi and see if it matches the calculator. If it does your pump is likely fine. If it cost too much to rebuild the pump, consider getting one of the "5hp" pumps from HF. With 20% off coupon they are under $150.

 

[Short Round]

Thank you! I will look at that and compare to the chart.