adding auxilliary tank to compressor

[breezer]

Hi all.

My Wolf 24l compressor starting leaking air constantly today. Google seems to point to a faulty unloader valve, anyhow i was in need of a compressor so a trip to Machine Mart occurred.

I'll try and source a new unloader valve but depending on the cost, and the fact I now have a new compressor this may not happen.

I was wondering if I took the motor etc off the Wolf tank, could I use the tank to double my air?

If so, whats the best way of doing this?

Cheers

Jim

 

[Robotstar5]

Take one of the blanking plugs out of the end of the receiver on both compressors and link with a pipe.

 

[the snooper]

simply connect an airline from one to the other, nothing else required also if it leaks when the pump isn't running then its probably the one way valve on the receiver if so clean it

 

[breezer]

oh right, much more simple than I thought!

The compressor leaks when it is running (and will only pressurise to about 2bar) and then continues to leak until it's empty after turned off.

 

[Rig Pig]

Strip the unloader, there's nothing too them - a spring and a lump of rubber, they get full of rusty muck from the tank and stick.

 

[Bill Edwards]

With that amount of leakage just follow the audible hiss until you find where the problem is, shouldn't be too hard!

 

[rtbcomp]

Strip the unloader, there's nothing too them - a spring and a lump of rubber, they get full of rusty muck from the tank and stick.

That's the non-return valve on the tank you're describing.

 

[the snooper]

The unloader shouldn't be able to pass any air at all when not running and the only thing that will allow it to is the non return valve on the receiver

 

[breezer]

Sorry, I'm confused...

The compressor is leaking form somewhere inside the switch cover. Have removed the switch cover but can't see where it's coming from.

Have removed & re-fitted the non-return valve, it's clean, no gunk and still the same problem.

As soon as I fire it up it starts leaking, when I turn it off it continues leaking

 

[rtbcomp]

The unloader only passes air for a few seconds when building pressure up after the motor starts and very briefly when it stops.

If it's passing air continuously with the motor running then the unloader or the mechanism operating it is faulty. There may be a bit of gunge trapped in it.

If it carries on leaking once the motor stops it must be the non-return valve (NRV) because the only source of air is what's in the tank, and the unloader is held open by the switch.

The unloader normally exhausts below the switch, if air is leaking inside the switch you may have a perforated diaphram.

Have you dismantled the NRV? The rubber "pastel" may harden & crack.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/useralbums/compressors.206/view

 

[breezer]

Identified the problem.

Underneath the switch mechanism / electrical contacts is a rubber gasket (or possibly diaphragm). This has a rip it - hence it's pis, sorry PASSing air whenever there is any pressure to do so.

I will give the wolf after sales team a call tomorrow to see if one is available. Otherwise it's back to plan A, or is that plan B? Use the tank as an auxilliary one. Shame to have to junk the motor for the sake of a bit of tree sap...

 

[rtbcomp]

Thanks for letting us know.

I doubt whether you'll get a diaphram, the switches are about £15-20 from Machine Mart.

If you decide not to fix it you'll need to remove the switch and blank the hole off with a plug.

 

[Rig Pig]

That's the non-return valve on the tank you're describing.

Oops!

 

[breezer]

Think you are right RTB, however for the sake of a phone call I will give it a go. Switch may be cheaper from Wolf, you never know.

And thanks for the advice all. I have learnt a couple of things so that is something