Opinions on the Clarke Raider 55V ?

[diyhandyman]

Ive got one of these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-Air-...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3a7244e9a2

Probably a bit big for you, but it was well worth the money. I have it coupled with a 50l direct drive 1.5hp compressor to give me 140l total with 2 motors, which works very well together for me. Plenty of power for my home use, only criticism i have of it is that it's more of a stationery setup than a portable; its really back-breaking to move around etc.

 

[Weldinator]

Well thats quite a bit better and in my price range, other one has been ordered now, not sure which to choose now.

Cheers

 

[Weldinator]

Forget that, i checked the reviews and a 16amp plug is pref needed and its very heavy and unloading it from my car to garage on my own when it gets delivered is a problem too.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/cr/rR8MSA2K9OQO4D

When i get some spare cash i may go for this one in 6 months time, thanks

 

[diyhandyman]

I run it from a newly wired 13A plug and its absolutely fine, and i asked them if 13A was ok, and they did.

I also read on that link you sent about some guy having his pressure switch melt and the tank feed splitting. Personally i think thats a cause of a dodgy power-supply; a surge to the compressor and the tank feed, thats never failed on me. Even if it does it's hardly a big problem, just bend out a new copper with some compressions at each end.

You are right about the unloading/movement, it is terrible to transport it, which is why i pretty much use my setup as a 'stationary setup'.

 

[Weldinator]

Being stationary is ok when i get the room but not right now, although it would have been my first choice of machine tbh.

My garage doesn't have the best wired up electrics, pretty old and i need other power plugs for light etc, i only have one socket inlet fitted you see and it advises to be fitted directly to the socket.

Does anyone know if most or all belt driven motors need a 16amp fuse or similar to the above one ?

 

[tigler]

I've used many 3hp belt drive units from a 13 amp plug with no problems. You may conceivably need to change the MCB to a type C but nothing more than that.

 

[Weldinator]

Thanks tigler.

 

[Weldinator]

Well got it this morning and its a SWP Zepher model and looks a Chinese type quality which can be seen from a far tbh, FFS it has the euro type connection outlets, they should be the British long thin type fitments. So i cant use it till i swap the out lets to the standard type my pipes has now.

Even though its a 97 dB it does sound quieter than my old one with the same sound rating.

 

[tigler]

Euro type connectore are standard on this type of unit. The frequency of a noise is a major factor in how loud it is, for a given sound level. Generally a lower frequency will seem less loud than a higher frequency.

 

[Weldinator]

I was told these are the preferred connectors/couplings due to the larger bore, MM said oh these are hard to get hold of we dont supply them. Shiremoor are sending me out a few connectors to fit my 1/4 pipe which is good.

I did only start the machine for the first ten minutes with no load like the instructions say too so im sure it will seem even more quieter.

Whats the story about these euro connectors then ?

 

[tigler]

They seem to be the common connector, probably down to price, as usual !
I would guess you're using PCL type connectors, I use those and Schrader for larger stuff.

 

[Weldinator]

Which are best to use then, the long thin type like mine or these euro types ?

 

[tigler]

Rule of thumb is the type with the largest hole !! Although no use having a fitting with a hole larger than the bore of the hose being used !

 

[Weldinator]

My new red justoffbase and old MM pipe is 10mm inner. Would thinner pipes cause more condensation ?

 

[tigler]

Depends on pressure and flow but typically yes as the velocity increases as size reduces. 10mm is good for spraying though.

 

[Weldinator]

Great, thanks for the help again tigler, appreciate. There is quite a small pipe from halfway from motor to the tank, thin compared to the thicker ones coming from the head of the new compressor.

Busy weekend install, very happy i can move forward now.

So would an 8mm pipe be better to power tools ?

 

[tigler]

10mm is better.

 

[Weldinator]

Well before i use the new compressor with the big stonechip job, i thought i'd ask you if one of these idea's would work well enough.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=30704&page=6 on this thread page 6 i think is the picture of an enclosure. I scrapped this box and need something for the new bigger one.

Well the air inlets are round and on the top edge of the head of the new one i got. I thought of using the duct pipe in the above thread. I'm thinking of using that and another one on the air inlet breathers, so it will be breathing in fresh air from the windows instead of the solvent. I dont want any more problems with regards to the valves etc.

Or if thats no good how about buying some thick plastic sheeting the width of the garage, then use a long net curtain string and hang it over the back of the car blocking off the compressor from the solvent. Then it would breathe in the fresh air from the windows.

The plastic sheeting would cost more because i have none spare, all i have to get with the pipes is buying another one for the second air inlet.

Your thoughts on this please ?

 

[Weldinator]

Pimped up my new compressor, solvent repelled.

Well i decided to link some aluminium venting pipes, they are 100mm in size, so i used some spare smaller diameter to fit over the air intake filters. This was the cheapest option, the spare pipes i had are made from silicone so decided it best not to use that. The alu pipes were £6.99 each, well worth it for the protection it will give to the machine.

The pipes are 3 meters long and go way outside the window and had no problems when in use. I used a jubilee clip where it meets the air intake, nice and tight. I can feel the machine suck air through the pipes when my hand was at the end of them.

 

[tigler]

Another pimp job, nice ! You could, however, have linked the intakes at the compressor end and just run one pipe through the window.