Pressure when using air tools

[Luke]

Yes, having watched the videos I think if it were me I'd be looking at the regulator too.

 

[M@tt]

excellent thanks for the replies gents

i'll try and get some new connectors this lunchtime and see how i get on over the weekend.

the threaded section out of the tank to the regulator had a 21mm nut on it and trying to measure the threaded section it looked like it was somewhere near 3/4" does that sound about right?

 

[Antsuno2]

we have changed to the highflow connectors at work, dont notice any difference apart that there harder to engage and dissengage, i personaly prefer the older longer type, Ant!

 

[JayRS4]

this is going to sound a bit stupid, as your running the tool through the regulator, you have changed the pressure on it havent you, should be a little black knob on the top that you probably pull and twist to set the pressure. set it whilst running a tool to get a proper working pressure.

I only say this as it seems the obvious answer and no-one has mentioned it, the reason it`s showig a high pressure at first is just leakthrough. If you have no idea what i`m talking about i`ll do you a video.

 

[JayRS4]

Ok, just noticed the reg has been mentioned, but when you turned the pressure up, did it spin freely or was it quite stiff. Like I said, it`s possible you have to pull of push the knob to engage it.

Anyway, did a quick video to demonstate my point, sorry for the poor quality, but hopefully it makes things clearer.




I dont mean to sound patronising say this, but I dont know if the compressor if new to you and you are unfamilier with it. It`s easy to overlook the most obvious things.

 

[HasBean]

Have you tried another air tool? It's not just a knackered die grinder is it?
I use 8mm bore hose with mine and it runs ok.

 

[M@tt]

not patronising at all, all answers very much appreciated

the knob on the top of the regulator does lift up and down and i can adjust the pressure on the tank gauge by turning it so have tried that but it didn't appear to make any difference apart from making the pressure go even lower than 2 bar when the tool was running.

the tool is brand new albeit it fairly cheap but I've had the same issue with my bergen air ratchet again brand new so I'm pretty confident it's not a dodgy tool, but it had crossed my mind

 

[NTwoO]

It looks like a new compressor, but has it worked alot? Old compressors full of water also lack the ability to provide capacity.

 

[M@tt]

it is second hand but i think it's only about a year or 2 old, it looks and sounds like its been well looked after and wasn't full of water either which was nice

 

[Gary900r]

The gauge in you video clips is not measuring the receiver pressure but the pressure after the regulator. Looking at the video it looks like you have a restriction (blockage) at the regulator.
Have you checked the filter element inside the bottom part of the regulator. It could also be a faulty regulator although the pressure rises while not using a tool it may not be letting full flow through when you are using a tool. We used to expect around a 5% failure rate on these regulators.

 

[M@tt]

ah ok, i'll take the regulator off and have a bit of an inspection to see if anything looks a miss and if not i'll try connecting the tank direct to my new on wall regulaotr and see if that helps the situation before forkign out for all new bits

 

[Gasman]

As mentioned before, it appears to be a restriction in flow rather than pressure issue. (Both your gauges read the same so its not that either!)

May sound daft but just check the outlet valve is fully open, then look at blockages.

 

[jaykay]

use the high flow fittings.as few joint/connections as possible.
also a garage will have a lot bigger compressor then you have.

 

[jaykay]

while reg is off. try putt a connector striaght in to tank and see what it runns like.
if ok spend out on a new/better reg.

 

[M@tt]

before work this morning i tried to take the regulator out of the tank so i could take it with me when trying to get some pipe fittings so i can do away with it, but one of the nuts was ridiculously tight so i'll need to have another bash this evening, however the top part of the regulator unscrewed and when i looked inside it the bottom section it only has a very small hole coming out of the tank maybe 5mm if that

does that sound like it could be the problem?

although that said the hole on the 1/4" PCL fittings isn't much more than that though is it?

 

[jaykay]

looking back,i see it's a budget compressor.that means reg could be better.
try comming of tank direct.if that give you the air you want,send out on a better reg.
also change them fittings,for the high flow ones,it does make a differants
sorry about spelling in last post.

 

[eil]

Any pics of the innards of the reg m@tt. I'm sure if you got yourself a cheap 1/2"BSP regulator and connected it up straight to the tank where the inspection plug is you would see a marked difference in the flow.

 

[M@tt]

problem sorted chaps

i took the regulator apart but there was nothing obviously wrong with it

so i went to see a friendly local garage tool supplier who gave me a 3/8" > 1/4" elbow for free which i replaced the regulator on the tank with.

The with the tool connected directly to it the pressure only dropped to 90psi so that was spot on. I connected the tank to my wall mounted regulator and the tool to that and again it worked perfectly.

a quick vid



So thanks very much for all your advice

 

[eil]

Glad you've sorted it m@tt, this thread should help a few in future.

 

[andy pen]

I love this forum it answers my questions before I ask them.I've been haveing similar problems with my compressor and this thread has answered the questions I was going to ask.Off to the garage to throw away my regulator cheers all