Quality air compressor regulators

[MovingAlong]

Perhaps there is no such thing... but thought I'd ask. Searched here but did not find a recommendation. Difficult to find clear reviews online, many are written immediately after install. "It works!"

30g compressor.
150psi is where the pump cuts off.
3/8 fittings.

I've swapped a couple Harbor Freight ones through this compressor already. Got what I paid for, so no complaints.

Looking at this Pneumatic Plus on Amazon.

So who makes great quality regulators though? Might not be practical for my garage/budget, but I'd like to at least look at them.

 

[Bill C]

I’ve been using Ingersoll ARO products for 8-ish yrs with great success. These are true industrial grade filters/regulator/lubricators.
I use a pre-filter near the compressor and then just before my two hose reels i have separate regulators. For my “clean” air reel, I use a regulator/filter combo with a coalescing fine micron filter. For my “oiled” air for use with air tools, I have a filter/regulator/lubricator combo.
They both have performed flawlessly for 8yrs. No leaks or other failures. I believe I’ve seen them for sale on a Amazon

 

[MovingAlong]

Thanks Bill C, do you think my lack of a pre-filter is tearing up the regulators?

 

[The Cobbler]

if you're getting debris int he regs that could cause failures . there's actually not very much to a reg, an o-ring and a piston is about all that will go bad

 

[Bill C]

Thanks Bill C, do you think my lack of a pre-filter is tearing up the regulators?

It’s possible... but there shouldn’t be a ton of debris coming out of the compressor tank either way. I did it as an extra measure of protection.

Here are some photos of my setup:

 

[MovingAlong]

The Cobbler is correct of course, if there was trash going through it then that would be my problem. But I don't think that's actually happening. It's a vertical tank and can't imagine how debris would get to the top. Pretty sure the failures are more related to the $5 price tag on my previous regs.

I'm going to try this ARO regulator then. Appreciate your suggestion.

Your setup looks really nice!

 

[ultgar]

I used to rent space next to a company that specialized in Specialty gas equipment. They made up some regulators for my personal use and for some club racers using nitrogen tanks at the track for their air jacks and tires. Very smooth...excellent quality.

 

[RKA]

You may want to look at the coupler going into the regulator from the tank. Even though I would drain my tanks, the regulators failed because rust was forming in the coupler and gumming up the regulators. I swapped them to stainless couplers. I put a good regulator on the garage compressor (sorry, forgot the brand) and a cheap one on the 2 gallon Makita and both have worked fine ever since (7 yrs or so?). They don't get used that often though. But the original regulators only lasted 2-3 years.

 

[MovingAlong]

Well this is embarrassing...

Would have sworn all the small pipes had been replaced with brass after I bought the compressor. Obviously missed this one between the pressure switch and the regulator...

Going to clean up the female connections on the tank and pressure switch, then put in the new brass pieces and connect the new regulator.

Thanks all for pointing me in the right direction. RKA - you nailed it. ultgar - those are some pretty stylish regs!

 

[SkinnyG]

Glad you've sorted it out.
Just to add to the thread, I've been pleased with a Pneumatic Plus regulator similar to the one linked in the original post on my older 30gal Craftsman compressor. I bought it after two Craftsman regulators that were garbage right out of the box.