New Old Compressor - Test

[Yohahn]

Hello

I just bought a Quincy 325 roc 1 on a 70 gallon horizontal Westinghouse Tank. I paid $400. Not sure if it was a decent deal or not. It works well, though I'll likely restore it to perfect because I can't resist.

My question is whether to trust a hydro test that I do on my own. The tank looks to be well cared for. Very little rust comes out with blown out water. But I feel I should test it. If I fill it 100% with water and get it to 300 psi. And see no appreciable drop in 24 hrs can I trust it. I know there are professional testers but I can't tell you how many times I've felt I could have done the same thing AFTER I laid out a bunch of money. Half the time the people performing this kind of stuff are just like trained robots and have not enough of a clue to realize if they are making a mistake. Just cranking out invoices.

So would you trust your own test if done correctly.

 

[Heel2toe]

How are you planning to pressurize the tank to 300psi?

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you can get the tank very, VERY close to 100% full with water then can insert a zerk into an adapter on your test port and use a good grease gun. If it is has a lot of air, it is going to take a lot of grease !

If it passes your test, empty the water add several handfuls of clean gravel and figure out how to rotate the tank. After a couple of hour remove the gravel and rinse it out, at least 2 or 3 times. Let dry for a couple of days in the hot sun. Pour about a quart of Rustoleum primer (or your favorite) in the tank and roll it around wso that it is well coated. Pour out the excess. Let dry in a warm area for at least 24 hours.

 

[CNGsaves]

First of all . . . . Welcome to GJ !!

2nd of all . . . . we just LOVE pictures and would love to see Quincy 325 for $400

That's a nice score and may be due YS awards . . . BUT . . we NEED pictures !!

+1 to OldWiz described hydro test of tank that has been done by other GJer's.

 

[Yohahn]

I'll get some pics up. They'll be without the motor as I brought it to a shop to be gone over. It's a 5hp Leland Faraday. Huge. The guy at the shop said the frame is the size of most 10hp motors. Also got a 3hp of same brand but it has a noisy bearing that I'll have to try to address. Generally very clean. Real quiet. Has been painted red but I'll fix it up.

Going to do the water test and the gravel is a great idea. Never thought of an internal paint job.

Is there any chance at all that painting it like that could trap moisture under the paint. Maybe cause some more localized corrosion. Just a thought.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is there any chance at all that painting it like that could trap moisture under the paint. Maybe cause some more localized corrosion. Just a thought.

Why do you think I said leave it out in the hot sun for a couple of days.

[TONGUE IN CHEEK] Either that or find a storage place that uses forced air heating and has no humidifier. Or a lumber mill that will allow you to park your tank inside their kiln.[/TONGUE IN CHEEK]

 

[bad_idea]

Why the gravel?

 

[Farmerjonathan]

Why the gravel?

Cause you can't reach in there with your hand and sand it. Rotating it with gravel in it will knock the rust loose and do a low/no pressure sandblast to the entire interior.