Running airline without a regulator

[eltax91]

Hi guys

I’ve got a sealey 150 litre belt driven compressor I’ve had for years. After a garage move i decided to get a hose reel and after a mix up with the supplier they’ve sent me a 1/2” hose instead of the cheaper 1/4” one. They’ve said it was a mistake and offered me to keep it, so I’m keen to embrace the upgrade.

The output on the compressor is 1/2” bsp. The new hose 1/2” bsp. All my other snap fitting and crucially my regulator is 1/4” bsp. The compressor auto cuts off at 150 psi (10 bar) and I used the regulator to down the output to 6bar upon recommendation of the supplier at the time.

Given my hose can now do 300psi, the compressor auto cuts off at 150, is it ok to put the fly lead straight into the hose reel and off I go? Just get a 1/2” female bayonet snap adapter for the end of the new hose?

For info the tools I commonly use are:-

Ingersol rand impact gun (2132g)
Mac air ratchet awp038m
Tyre inflator
Air saw
Occasionally air hammer

Or, are these tools not rated high enough and I need to step down to the regulator first, then step back up to the fly lead?

Edited by eltax91 on Thursday 16th July 12:24

[paintman]

You'll likely find your tools run a sight better as the 1/2" hose will allow a greater volume of air to pass than the 1/4".

Is it possible to change the fittings on your regulator?

[eltax91]

paintman said:

You'll likely find your tools run a sight better as the 1/2" hose will allow a greater volume of air to pass than the 1/4".

Is it possible to change the fittings on your regulator?

This is the main reason I want to keep the upgrade! The regulator has two female 1/4 bsp threads cast into the body. If i use the regulator, then i'm effectively restricting air flow aren't it? I can either:-

Not use a reg at all

Or

Step down to 1/4 at the compressor, pipe to the reg (I have the fitting to do this from previous install), then step up from 1/4 to 1/2 after the reg to the fly lead for the reel

OR

I guess i could just replace the regulator with a 1/2" bsp one

Is there any danger of overloading the tools be removing the reg??

Edited by eltax91 on Thursday 16th July 16:21

[E-bmw]

eltax91 said:

Is there any danger of overloading the tools be removing the reg??

Edited by eltax91 on Thursday 16th July 16:21

You need to check the individual tool specs to find the answer to that one, we don't know what tools you have made by whom.

[eltax91]

E-bmw said:

You need to check the individual tool specs to find the answer to that one, we don't know what tools you have made by whom.

Fair enough. I mean I did put them in the OP.

I will take a look at 1/2” regulators I think. Might be the best solution all round

[bluezedd]

I run a 1/2" BSP fitting directly into the inspection hole in my tank.

If you want, you could buy yourself a PCL 1/2" filter regulator (could even get one of the lubricator ones if you don't do any painting).

https://gtair.co.uk/air-treatment/280-pcl-atc12-.h...

You could always change your fittings to the higher flow PCL fittings if you don't already use them. I've not done this though as I have too many of the other PCL type fitting now and deemed it wasn't worth it for me.

[E-bmw]

eltax91 said:

E-bmw said:

You need to check the individual tool specs to find the answer to that one, we don't know what tools you have made by whom.

Fair enough. I mean I did put them in the OP.

Yes, you did, but I do hope you weren't expecting us to do all the work for you.

[eltax91]

E-bmw said:

eltax91 said:

E-bmw said:

You need to check the individual tool specs to find the answer to that one, we don't know what tools you have made by whom.

Fair enough. I mean I did put them in the OP.

Yes, you did, but I do hope you weren't expecting us to do all the work for you.

Well, I’m fundamentally very lazy

[oakdale]

I wouldn't think twice about running any of the tools listed unregulated, the more air the better.

[wolf1]

I run two big ingersol rand compressors at work back to back and don't use a regulator at all. Just keep you air tools oiled regularly and bleed the condensation from the compressor receiver regularly and you'll be fine.

[tapkaJohnD]

Ah!

I thought you meant Virgin and Branson!

[eltax91]

Decided to sort out a 1/2” regulator. I’m not sure if the air tools run any better, but just having the hose out of the way is reward enough for the effort put in:-

[oakdale]

The tools will run a lot better if you bin the regulator, only paint sprayers need a regulator on a compressor of that size.

[eltax91]

oakdale said:

The tools will run a lot better if you bin the regulator, only paint sprayers need a regulator on a compressor of that size.

I read up on the instructions of a few of the tools I have and they have varying different levels of max psi listed. I decided to get the regulator so I can adjust depending on the tool.

[oakdale]

eltax91 said:

I read up on the instructions of a few of the tools I have and they have varying different levels of max psi listed. I decided to get the regulator so I can adjust depending on the tool.

The psi and airflow rating of tools is that which is available at the tool when being operated, not what the compressor can generate.

If you were to put a psi gauge where the hose is connected to the tool, you'd be surprised how low the pressure is in operation.

[paintman]

Which is the reason why I have small regulators on each of my sprayguns. Surprising how much drop there can be at the tool end of the hose if the pressure is set at the tank.
This type (random ebay): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Duren-Mini-air-regulato...

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 22 July 13:49

[oakdale]

paintman said:

Which is the reason why I have small regulators on each of my sprayguns. Surprising how much drop there can be at the tool end of the hose if the pressure is set at the tank.
This type (random ebay): https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Duren-Mini-air-regulato...

Edited by paintman on Wednesday 22 July 13:49

Yes, you need a closely regulated air supply for spraying but in the op's case, although his setup is adequate, it is unlikely to achieve the max airflow and pressure rating of his air tools, so he's best to run it without a regulator to get the best from them.

Edited by oakdale on Wednesday 22 July 21:12

Edited by oakdale on Wednesday 22 July 21:14