Clarke Compressor

[Furiokid]

Just asking a little advice on a possible second hand Clarke Compressor I may go look at at the weekend.
It’s a Clarke Air SE14A150. Looks a bit worse for wear (but can clean it up).
Apparently all runs well and builds up pressure and no leaks.

Is there anything to look out for when I go look at it? I’ve looked for a manual for it online but couldn’t find anything.
Has anyone got one of these compressors for opinion?

Thanks guys

 

[brightspark]

if it builds up air fairly quick and sounds ok without knocking and its belt drive and reasonably priced go for it

 

[Furiokid]

Compressor Video

Here’s a link to a video of the compressor running that the guy sent me to anyone who may here or see something I don’t at all?

Thanks

 

[Edward Teach]

Compressor Video

Here’s a link to a video of the compressor running that the guy sent me to anyone who may here or see something I don’t at all?

Thanks

YouTube may be a better posting site !!

 

[Furiokid]

Well took a punt on it and managed to get it cheap as it was building pressure but seemed to be taking a long time to build up (about 5 mins to make 3 bar).
Switched off and found it held pressure ok though.
I already know it needs a new pressure switch, unsure whether it need a new pump or not yet as need to test it out.
Still not managed to find a manual anywhere for it but hoping I may be able to speak to someone at Clarke next week

 

[Furiokid]

So I actually got an e-mail back from Clarke today to tell me the SE14 is an old machine and no parts are available for it.

I’m going to try and have a play with it tomorrow to see if I can diagnose what’s actually causing it to not build up enough pressure.
Is there any way of identifying if it’s got the correct size motor fitted as it’s currently running a 13amp single phase? Don’t know what size motor it should have from standard?

 

[Tim W]

looks like mine, 14cfm 3hp single phase. new in 1989.
motor looks original, but doesnt sound good. Mine "knocks" occasionally but it always has. I bought it from a mate who bought it new and hardly used it.
They do seem to take a while to build up pressure from cold but once up and running seem to work ok.
Mine runs on a type "D" mcb as it will trip anything else when its really cold weather...
- Will check the model number tomorrow to compare

 

[Furiokid]

Thanks for that. Supposedly the guy said it has been sat outside for a while under a cover hence it does look worse for wear but bartered him down to £50 to try and salvage it.

My plan tomorrow was to start cleaning it up to see what markings I could see on the motor and pump. Was also thinking of draining the oil out to see how it looks.

I already know it needs the pressure switch replacing as it doesn’t cut off apparently, but just trying to see if it needs anything else

 

[eil]

Take the inlet air filter off and then run it till it reaches the 3Bar, then switch off at the mains NOT the pressure switch. Then put your ear at the inlet and listen see if you can hear air passing by the valves or head gasket, then switch off at the pressure switch so that the discharge pipe can unload the air that is still in there. I suspect you might have to take the head off and check the gasket between the inlet and discharge ports above the valve plate as they are a favourite for blowing.

 

[eil]

The pressure switch doesn't cut off because it does not reach the cut-out pressure.

 

[Furiokid]

I’ve not had it upto the cut out pressure, but the guy I bought it from said he’d never had it cut off, but this could be due to the fact it never made it to the cut off pressure or because it doesn’t work.
That’s why I want to get it so it’s making pressure properly before I start replacing anything

 

[Furiokid]

So stripped it down this morning, found a few loose unions that could have possibly been causing leaks so decided to strip the whole thing down and clean it all.
Found the one way valve going to the tank all gunked up, so will clean that.

Managed to get the inspection bung out and inspected inside the tank and found rust as you’d expect but all seems solid, however there is quite a bit of rusty sludge in the bottom so I’m struggling to get out.

Could the inside of the tank be pressure washed out to help in getting the sludge out? Or any other good method?

 

[Seadog]

Could the inside of the tank be pressure washed out to help in getting the sludge out?

What ever method you have to shift the muck is the method to use. I used a garden hose. Then degreaser, then phosphoric acid. Whether it was worth the effort I can't say.

 

[Furiokid]

Well I’ve cleaned it and flushed it best I can, I didn’t want to put any additives through it purely cos of using air tools etc even though I’ll be using a water trap.

This is the crap I managed to get out

Then I pulled the top part of the pump off to inspect because the intake looked all ****ty and found this?

Quite a bit of oil in the bore?
I drained the oil out and didn’t look metallic when I filtered it, was just really black

 

[Furiokid]

And then the inside of the intake

 

[Seadog]

There looks to be too much 'rust' there. Modern receivers aren't that thick. Is it magnetic? Looking at the carbon build up in the head, it may just be carbon. Motor oil used instead of compressor oil. The additives in motor oil burn to form carbon.

 

[Furiokid]

There looks to be too much 'rust' there. Modern receivers aren't that thick. Is it magnetic? Looking at the carbon build up it may just be carbon. Motor oil used instead of compressor oil. The additives in motor oil burn to form carbon.

Some of it is metallic that I removed so was a little weary but I’ve tapped the side of the tank up and down and still seems solid.
The date stamp on the receiver is 1986.

The crap in the intake was just carbon build but was actually blocking the ports below.

The only markings I can see on the pump is 078a? Wanted to identify it for a gasket kit, otherwise I’ll have to buy gasket paper?

 

[Furiokid]

Can anyone help in identifying what pump this could be? As said the only markings on it are 078a?

 

[Furiokid]

There was only 1 suspect bit on the tank where it’s pitted slightly and not sure whether to be concerned or not?

 

[Tim W]

I did check mine and it is the same model, SE14A150. the motor looks identical so it is original, single phase 3hp, 150l receiver. mine is dated oct 1989.
If it doesnt cut out maybe its just adjusted too high - pull the cover off the pressure switch and wind the nut down a bit