New air compressor, rubbish instructions so a few questions!

[reb78]

Hi,
I just bought one of these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/50LTR-2HP-ELE...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item563b609aab

It is a Marksman 66163c 50litre 2hp compressor.

It looks well made, but as usual with some of the cheaper stuff, the instructions are woeful!

I just wondered if someone would know the answers to a couple of questions?

1. The 'crank case breather' supplied is more of a plug/bung & i cannot see it acting as a breather. This is a red bung that replaces the travel bung where the oil is topped up in the top of the crankcase and where you would normally find the dipstick. Some other models seem to have a proper breather here-i.e. one that will release pressure through a filter. If the bung supplied with this model is pushed in firmly, i cannot see it acting as a breather and could result in excessive crank case pressure. If it is not pushed in firmly, i cant see it keeping dust out well. Is this bung which is supplied likely to be the correct part & if so how firmly it should be pushed in?
2. There is no dipstick but there is a sight glass. I presume that the oil level is meant to be to the red dot in the centre of the sight glass and that since it has come supplied with oil to that level, it is ready to use?

I've asked the seller to confirm the above, but thought i'd come on here and check with the experts!
Thanks!

 

[lexi]

Usually supplied with oil. Tip it up and view sight glass. They are toys these units really but work surprisingly well for a year or two and sometimes more.

Treat it as doing X number of jobs for you then ...............................Bang!

 

[reb78]

Thanks. It was only for occasional use to spray waxoyl on the landy and run a plasma cutter every now and then, so i didnt want to spend a fortune on it. It'll probably last me a while as it will only get four or five uses a year.

Any ideas on the breather system? - seems like it should be able to vent if the pressure gets too high, but other than forcing the bung out, i cant see it releasing crank pressure this way.

 

[lexi]

Some have a ball bearing in there. I would just fit it loosely...........it should let air pass

 

[reb78]

The seller replied to my queries today and all is well. Here is the reply:

..............
Hi Richard,
Pleased to hear that the compressor has arrived in good time and in one piece. The breather plug needs to be pushed into place when you take the travel plug out, you should notice that it has a very small hole in it so the pump can breath, sometime the factory have been known to leave the breather plug in place and put the travel plug in the bag of accessories. I can confirm the oil level should be up to the red dot on the glass viewing window. Any problems please call me on ..........
Kind regards
Martyn
...............

That will teach me not to look properly! There is indeed a tiny hole to vent excess pressure! Can get on and use my plasma cutter and spray waxoyl till my heart is content now! Thanks for the advice on this one though.

 

[Stokewood]

I did not use mine for over a year after purchase and lost the filter and replacement bung. I managed to find a filter in Hong Kong for £3 but have no idea what to do about the bung. Do you think I could get away with just sticking a pin through it? Its hard to find a seller for this model now and the one I did find does not have a clue. They tried to sell me a replacement plastic top cover and told me it was an air filter. Such a tiny little bit of plastic is beating me. Don't want to buy another compressor when this one is unused. HELP!

 

[tigler]

It looks similar to the Aldi compressor, parts are obtainable for those from the service agent.

 

[madkayaker]

As long as its got a hole in and the hole is not so big as to let large volumes of dirt in then it won't be a problem it's only to allow for a bit of expansion due to heat