My old IR EP 5 has started acting up. It works great when loading, but when it reaches about 125psi, max set psi, and switches from loading it seems to be loosing too much air. It has gotten to the point where it only stays in the unload mode for a few seconds and then switches to load again. Load, unload, load, unload. It used to stay in the unload mode when it reached it's max and I wasn't drawing any air. I don't know much about these, but I would guess I have have a problem with the intake valve or the two way solenoid valve or the pressure is up too high. Any help is greatly appreciated.
- Thread starter obpablo
- Start date
rtbcomp
Moderator
- Messages
- 18,574
- Location
- Sheffield UK
Welcome to the forum.
I'm not familiar with this model, but this problem is usually caused by the non-return valve where the pipe from the pump connects to the tank. Can you feel/hear where the air is leaking from? Try going round with some soapy water and a paint brush.
I'm not familiar with this model, but this problem is usually caused by the non-return valve where the pipe from the pump connects to the tank. Can you feel/hear where the air is leaking from? Try going round with some soapy water and a paint brush.
Thanks rtbcomp for your comment. I have done more testing and I think you are correct about the non-return valve. This units manual calls it the minimum pressure check valve. I cleaned it and it seems to work fine when I try it by hand, but I think the little plunger spring inside is too week to hold back pressure. IR wants $437, but I found one on ebay for $62. No big loss if not the problem. The air is leaking from a tube that is plugged into the intake valve. Tracing it back, it seems to originate from the top of the separator which is hooked into the minimum pressure check valve. If this is not the problem, my next guess would be the solenoid valve where the tubing runs between the separator and the intake valve. I want to doubt that this solenoid valve is suppose to control up to 125psi, but I don't know. I will post back after I install new minimum pressure check valve.
the snooper
getting older by the day
- Messages
- 21,063
- Location
- Hull UK
if air is escaping back from the tank through the pump when its is turned off, it can only be the non return valve, the spring is not there to keep the valve closed under load, the pressure in the tank does that, take the valve apart and give it a good clean including the valve seat
