Rhyas air compressor

[mrsbruce]

Having hijacked the hubby’s air compressor (Rhyas 24l), I had to fit a new air compressor connector bar thingy. In fitting everything back on, I realised the pressure tube(?) which runs from the tank to the pressure switch was goosed. It’s the little one with the brass olive on one side.

Sadly, in trying to fix it, I broke it. I have googled, but have not found a replacement. Is there another name, or will I have to make one using my Blue Peter skills.

Any help gladly received.

 

[rtbcomp]

That tube is the unloading pipe, the switch gets its pressure from the pipe underneath that it fixes to the tank with. The pipe should be standard 1/4" (imperial) or 6mm (metric). Is it plastic or copper? Does it have olives at both ends?

Pictures would help

 

[mrsbruce]

I shall get some pictures later this morning. It seems to be an aluminium tube, with a small olive at one end, and a flare at the other.

I seem to remember the hubby having to remove that pipe about 6 years or so ago, for some reason. I distinctly remember buying some new olives to fit, so there should be some in his shed.

Sudden thought, he has a basic brake pipe making kit.

 

[frank horton]

just replace the ally pipe with plastic/nylon........all parts are easilly available on the the bay of flea's......try a local Hire shop, they'll have old comp's for spares.......
I'm sure if u chuck it in the back of the car the hire shop will fix it for no money really........

 

[mrsbruce]

Here’s the bit, and as you can see, I’ve lashed a temporary repair (red pipe with jubilee cip). I’ll get on the phone tomorrow, if I can’t get something made today.

I did see a pipe on a European webshop, but adding tax, pistage, etc, brings it to over €19, so need to look elsewhere.

 

[rtbcomp]

That's the unloading pipe. I'd consider replacing it with plastic, I suspect over the time ally will weaken and fail due to the vibration.

 

[mrsbruce]

Fixed! The brake pipe was a bit narrower than the original pipe, and I could not find where the hubby had hidden the olives. So, I cut the brake pipe to fit, flared one end a fair bit, then got klever.

Using the brake pipe kit, I opened up the diameter of the brake pipe at the olive end as much as I could. I then cut and drilled a silicone plug (for filling holes when sandblasting) to replace the olive, and tightened it all up.

Compressor now fine.

 

[rtbcomp]

Nice one, thanks for letting us know the outcome.

 

[gaz1]

mrs bruce is getting to be a right lady in the shed for building stuff and repairs

doing well with doing it all
many wouldnt have thought about the brake kit could be used

 

[mrsbruce]

Thanks. It’s all those years of watching Blue Peter that done it.

 

[brightspark]

there u go u need one of these https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/joinin/about-blue-peter-badges

 

[mrsbruce]

Sadly, I’ve just fallen over the maximum age qualification. If only I’d thought of it earlier this year.

 

[Farside]

Fixed! The brake pipe was a bit narrower than the original pipe, and I could not find where the hubby had hidden the olives. So, I cut the brake pipe to fit, flared one end a fair bit, then got klever.

Using the brake pipe kit, I opened up the diameter of the brake pipe at the olive end as much as I could. I then cut and drilled a silicone plug (for filling holes when sandblasting) to replace the olive, and tightened it all up.

Compressor now fine.

What you need to do is put a circle in the brake pipe, so that it forms a loop instead of a short straight run. If you don't do that, vibration will crack the end off in short order.
That's how they used to do it in the days before plastic pipes. It worked well enough for long enough, and was commonly used in critical applications (with the right materials, of course).
This shows you the general idea...

 

[mrsbruce]

Farside, many thanks for the advice.

To make life easier, I’m going to order the proper sized parts, make up the pipe as you’ve described, and put it aside. When the other pipe breaks, I’ll be prepared to swop it over.

 

[rtbcomp]

^^ I'd make the spare out of plastic.