Air compressor help needed
Discussion
Hi chaps
I have a basic 100 litre air compressor that to be fair has been pretty reliable.
Last week the air regulator control box broke so I ordered new one and fitted yesterday.
I need to paint a car bumper but I can not regulate the air!
See the current set-up in the pics but I’ve also tried having the regulator at the gun end and out of the side of the pressure switch where you can now see the brass fitting.
The compressor builds air to 110psi and cuts out as it should. I need about 40-50psi for spraying.
Turning the control knob anti-clockwise doesn’t reduce the pressure; I I turn it quite a few turns air is released through the fitting.
I’ve tried 2 regulators so I know that’s not the problem.
On the old unit, I’d would simply turn the control knob to the desired pressure and that would be it.
What am I doing wrong!??
Cheers Paul
The new unit:
My setup:
I have a basic 100 litre air compressor that to be fair has been pretty reliable.
Last week the air regulator control box broke so I ordered new one and fitted yesterday.
I need to paint a car bumper but I can not regulate the air!
See the current set-up in the pics but I’ve also tried having the regulator at the gun end and out of the side of the pressure switch where you can now see the brass fitting.
The compressor builds air to 110psi and cuts out as it should. I need about 40-50psi for spraying.
Turning the control knob anti-clockwise doesn’t reduce the pressure; I I turn it quite a few turns air is released through the fitting.
I’ve tried 2 regulators so I know that’s not the problem.
On the old unit, I’d would simply turn the control knob to the desired pressure and that would be it.
What am I doing wrong!??
Cheers Paul
The new unit:
My setup:
The gauge under the black box shows tank pressure & is not controlled by the big red knob. The one under the big red knob shows the outlet pressure which you set by turning the big knob.
Your outlet arrangement is also wrong which is affecting the way it all works.
Normal to have a female coupling on the compressor effectively sealing the pressure in. Inserting a male coupling will open the female & the air is free to flow.
Put a male end on the compressor end of the airline & a female end at the tool end of the airline.
For the gauge to work you need to have a pressurised line. All that's happening with open male ends is that it will just let the air out as there's nothing to stop it.
Tools should be fitted with male connector - and a pressure gauge/adjuster at the gun which will give you a better idea of pressure at the gun as you are taking into account the drop in the airline.
I take it that's an old spraygun with the cup underneath? I would suggest you are going to do a lot better with a HVLP gravity fed gun which will operate at much lower pressure AND with a fraction of the cloud of overspray as more material ends up on the work.
ETA. Having thought about it a bit more, yes, you'll probably find it simpler just fit the new assembly as is & put a female connector on the threaded end by the red wingnut. Then open the red wingnut fully & you should find it now works properly. When you reduce the outlet pressure by turning the red knob you will hear a hissing as the gauge needle drops to the new pressure.
Your outlet arrangement is also wrong which is affecting the way it all works.
Normal to have a female coupling on the compressor effectively sealing the pressure in. Inserting a male coupling will open the female & the air is free to flow.
Put a male end on the compressor end of the airline & a female end at the tool end of the airline.
For the gauge to work you need to have a pressurised line. All that's happening with open male ends is that it will just let the air out as there's nothing to stop it.
Tools should be fitted with male connector - and a pressure gauge/adjuster at the gun which will give you a better idea of pressure at the gun as you are taking into account the drop in the airline.
I take it that's an old spraygun with the cup underneath? I would suggest you are going to do a lot better with a HVLP gravity fed gun which will operate at much lower pressure AND with a fraction of the cloud of overspray as more material ends up on the work.
ETA. Having thought about it a bit more, yes, you'll probably find it simpler just fit the new assembly as is & put a female connector on the threaded end by the red wingnut. Then open the red wingnut fully & you should find it now works properly. When you reduce the outlet pressure by turning the red knob you will hear a hissing as the gauge needle drops to the new pressure.
Edited by paintman on Monday 20th April 14:58
Thanks gunman but you didn’t find the fault 🤣
I did not know that the regulators are directional!! My bad but I solved it.
Yes, you are correct regarding my gun, it’s an old Devilbiss and I just primed 2 bumpers and it was very difficult.
Too much pressure, too little primer out the gun meaning very dry coats and silly amounts of overspray!!
Ok, before I apply the base and lacquer, I’ll buy a new HVLP gun, any suggestions??
Thank you for your help, I really do appreciate it 👍🏻
I did not know that the regulators are directional!! My bad but I solved it.
Yes, you are correct regarding my gun, it’s an old Devilbiss and I just primed 2 bumpers and it was very difficult.
Too much pressure, too little primer out the gun meaning very dry coats and silly amounts of overspray!!
Ok, before I apply the base and lacquer, I’ll buy a new HVLP gun, any suggestions??
Thank you for your help, I really do appreciate it 👍🏻
Chris32345 said:
Do you have an air dryer on the line as well?
If not your likely to get condensation on the out spray that can effect the painting
I have a water trap that I will include in the line prior to spraying the colour.If not your likely to get condensation on the out spray that can effect the painting
I need some tips for the most suitable gravity fed gun and tip size if anyone has any??
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