Can I upgrade This Compressor?

[lummocks]

Me and my mate bought this old compressor a few years ago now, just to use an air ratchet etc, it's always been very slow at getting up to pressure.

We would like to go and buy a new compressor but we both like this old style and quite fancy putting a new motor on this. Is this a bad idea? Is it just worth scrapping it and buying new? It seems a damn shame.

Any ideas would be welcomed, especially if upgrading it is viable...any one recomend any good suppliers for parts, and if its a fairly straight forward job.

Thanks
Mike.

 

[stormin]

Looks a nice old bit of kit.

Unforunately there's probably not a lot you can do to upgrade it. Motors and pumps tend to be well matched so changing one means changing the other.

I notice a label on the belt guard advising the machine is a minimum of 9 inches from a wall. You seem to have ignored this. The reduced air flow could cause oveheating of motor and pump and reduce performance. Warm air is harder to compress than cold.

 

[lummocks]

Ha! I knew someone would spot that!

 

[bawjaws]

im not surprised it takes a while to get to pressure, its huge to give an idea though il go check how long it takes for mine to fill, ( if it starts coz of the cold)

 

[Davidss]

Considering the identified failure is "it's always been very slow at getting up to pressure" I'd have thought the problem is more to do with a worn out compressor, rather than the electric motor. Similarly, I don't think intake air temperature is too significant at start-up, but I do notice you have it tucked under a shelf, as well as in a corner :-)

If you can measure both the motor speed and the voltage at the motor it would be useful to eliminate any problems in those areas, but I think you need to be looking for compressor parts.

Alternatively, once you know the motor speed and power rating, you might be able to buy a new compressor. Personally I prefer a twin cylinder job if trying to get the best out of single phase 240v supply.

I have tried to recall, but failed, a UK company that sold bits to enable a 'DIY' build, sorry.

 

[bawjaws]

ok, been out and from empty it takes 1 min 32 seconds to get to 10 bar (150 psi) its a 50l and 14cfm to give a rough idea if yours is still working ok

 

[rtbcomp]

Recondition it, paint it and polish those copper pipes!

My Clarke 14cfm fills 245 litres in 6 mins from 0 to 100 psi

 

[scarecrow]

It looks like a single piston compressor on 100 litre tank which will be slow filling why do you want to change the motor is it not working if it is what hp is it you could buy a second compressor and link the two together which would give you lots of air setting the old one below the cut in pressure of the new one so it would only come on when you were using something that is air hungry

 

[eil]

At least you can take the valves out for inspection looks like you only have to unscrew the two caps on the head, see if there is any Maijor damage to them.

 

[lummocks]

Motor seems to be fine, wiring from the contactor and safety switches needs to be replaced but yes i'd say it's just the actual compressor that needs replacing. What scares me is...changing it and the needing a different belt/pully length etc. And then need a load of parts that I have no idea where to get hold of them

I think from cold it fills up to about 100psi in about 8mins if not more, the warmer it gets the slower it gets. I'm not expecting it to keep up with my sandblaster (it wouldn't would it?) but only having 2mins use then having to wait 10 mins for it to fill is driving me mental I'll try and do something about its position in the garage its obviously not helping.

 

[rtbcomp]

I'd remove the valves, don't mix them up! and clean them. I had a compressor that would only go to 50psi and the valves (simple metal disks) were coated in carbon. A clean and polish made a world of difference.

I've extended the air intake on my Clarke, it used to suck in warm air from the motor!

 

[eil]

Theres a good firm down your way could possibly help "Harries Pneumatics" ask for the tech gentleman ,very helpfull chap.

 

[wallopadonkey]

hi there i dont know whether you want to travel or not but however buckley cranes ltd in glan conwy north wales are bristol repairers and dealers they will help ask for tom when you ring

 

[lummocks]

Thanks guys! I'll try and check the valves over the next few days, if I have no luck i'll make some calls.

 

[andypocock]

I wouldn't care how slow it was. It's beautiful.

 

[lummocks]

Lovely isn't it

 

[jaykay]

dont forget pistons have rings too.take look if you take the head off.
putthin oil or white spirit on the piston,just cover it.and watch see if it drains away.

 

[irondarren]

Jaykay's is probaly closest too why it is slow on air build up. An air compressor is very similar to car engine it has piston rings valves etc. chances air the rings are warn i doubt you will find replacements easy. if that is the case live with it or buy a new pump unit or new compressor.

 

[bucko]

MM sells just the compresesor but it would be a shame to see it get changed from origanal spec clean and recondion ! and like someone said before polish that copper

i like old tools etc cuz you get the feeling from looking at them the maker was puroud to be produceing them i had a realy nice looking block and takle with a brass makers plate looked good

 

[johnny7]

it'll more likely be the cylinder, the rings are much harder than the iron cylinder so usually the cylinder wall wears fisrt...

must agree with everyone else though, she's a beautiful old gal and probably has lasted ten times longer than the modern equivalant would

check the valves first though...


john