Bambi Compressor

[Sidney Rough-Diamond]

Hi all,

I've been given a Bambi 50ltr compressor after telling a friend I was starting a car restoration. Not had or used a compressor before so am a little unsure on a few things and have no manual for it.

I looked online about this model and it says it has a max pressure of 8 bar (116 psi) . My kind friend gave me a quick demo of it when I picked it up and it seems to work OK, but was gutting out at 4 bar and restarting on 2 bar.
Is that correct and adjustable in some way ? I took the cap of the pressure switch but couldn't see any adjustment.

The other thing is, I have no oil with it. Looked online and it's around £20 inc post for 1ltr. Is there another brand I can use and get locally , or should I stick with only the Bambi part ? I only ask because on the esate where I work is a large number of places selling compressors and tools and the like, so could pick some up tomorrow.

Thanks for any help.

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

Any chance of a picture? - Bambi do a range of different types.

Google "bambi air compressor manual"

 

[Banny]

Go to your local toolstation for oil much cheaper there.

 

[Sidney Rough-Diamond]

Thanks, sorry, should have listed the model. Its a 150/500 same as this, although mine has a tap and regulator/filter coming out the front of the tank, unlike this same model in the link.
http://www.aircompressorcentre.co.uk/Bambi-150/500-Medical-Dental-Laboroatory-Compressor
Don't have any pics now, but will try and snap some tomorrow. The pressure switch looks to be original.


Found the manual for it on Bambi's website, but seems no adjustment , just says 8 bar max and that it will kick in again after a 2 bar drop in pressure.

Will have a look on Toolstations website now for the oil, would be handy, as they are next to where I work.

 

[Julian_P]

Machine Mart do compressor oil

Take the top off the motor controller (one screw - that black plastic square lid) and you'll probably see a 10 or 11mm bolt head. You can turn this to adjust the working pressure. Obviously stay within the working pressure of the tank and give the safety valve a quick test.

PS, are you sure these compressors need oil, it's designed for dentists and they are obviously funny about things like that!

 

[rtbcomp]

They are fridge motor compressors. They need special oil - the normal SAE30 won't do. Use Machine Mart's Shhhhhhh range oil.

As Julian says set the pressure by adjusting the spring tension, increase tension to increase cut-off pressure. Again a photo would be useful, some switches have twin springs and possibly an adjustment to set the difference between cut-out & cut-in pressures.

 

[buckers]

I had a Bambi compressor for my airbrushing, and that's about all it would do. It couldn't support even a mini gun, let alone breathing gear. They (well mine anyway), have a duty ratio of 50%, and after trying it, it was patently obvious it wasn't up to the job (which it was never intend for). I bought proper Bambi oil for it.
HTH
Phil