When is a receiver necessary on a Hydrovane

[GrahamGKD]

I see that many Hydrovane compressors are sold without a receiver. How important is it to have one, particularly for plasma cutting? What are the pro's and con's of having a receiver (apart from the obvious one that the unit will cut in when there is any demand for air without one)? Finally, does £450 +VAT sound like a good price for a '15' without a receiver?
Cheers,
Graham.

 

[tigler]

They are available in receiver and non receiver types. The non receiver types are equipped with a different control box with a time out device, an after cooler and an overheat cut out. Considering the new price of a 15 , £450 is good !!
You could install it onto any receiver though , it doesn't have to be a Hydrovane one !!

 

[GrahamGKD]

They are available in receiver and non receiver types. The non receiver types are equipped with a different control box with a time out device, an after cooler and an overheat cut out. Considering the new price of a 15 , £450 is good !!
You could install it onto any receiver though , it doesn't have to be a Hydrovane one !!

Thanks Tigler. Would I need to put it on a receiver though - the one I have in mind is on a stand so I assume it is rigged to run without the receiver - i.e. with the different controls you mention. If I were to decide I needed a receiver would I need to change the control box as well do you think? The price is plus VAT so over £500 in real terms for me.
Cheers,
Graham.

 

[tigler]

If the one you are considering is on a stand and was originally supplied as such from Hydrovane it will be a non-receiver type so would have the correct controls. If it doesn't have the controls they would be costly to buy and fit. The overheat cutout is fitted integrally to the compressor head during manufacture.
If it is a genuine non-receiver type it would be ideal for plasma cutting , thats the sort of continuous demand application for which they were intended.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Great - Thanks for your help Tigler. Much appreciated.
Graham.

 

[tigler]

Your very welcome mate , glad I could help.

 

[Gary900r]

If it is a 15 it will probably not have a over temperature cutout system fitted. The over temp cut out came after the model was changed to the 502 model. There will also not be a time out device as the controls are for constant run only. With the 15 a aftercooler was a optional extra. I've seen and worked on many of these over the years cant remember any with a aftercooler.
If you were to fit it to a receiver and want it to run as a stop/start machine you would need to remove the pressure control valve from inside the air end or run at a lower pressure.
Most of the 15's that are on stands were 7bar models and not 10bar like the receiver mounted versions.

 

[GrahamGKD]

If it is a 15 it will probably not have a over temperature cutout system fitted. The over temp cut out came after the model was changed to the 502 model. There will also not be a time out device as the controls are for constant run only. With the 15 a aftercooler was a optional extra. I've seen and worked on many of these over the years cant remember any with a aftercooler.
If you were to fit it to a receiver and want it to run as a stop/start machine you would need to remove the pressure control valve from inside the air end or run at a lower pressure.
Most of the 15's that are on stands were 7bar models and not 10bar like the receiver mounted versions.

Thanks for that advice Gary. This is the unit I had in mind (on the offchance that it might help to identify it better). A very similar one went on ebay for just over £300 earlier today. At the moment I'm thinking I will let it go?

http://www.enterprisemachinery.co.uk/cgi-bin/products.cgi?fa=display&id=371&crid=&cmrid=1&cmpid=2

Cheers,
Graham.

 

[tigler]

Yes that is a proper non receiver type. It has the correct controls for continuous running. They do turn up on ebay and are not as popular as receiver mounted types so tend to fetch less. A mate of mine recently got a brand new one for £220 !!!
These small reciever mounted Hydrovanes are very popular with hobby users so fetch more. In your case , for your application the stand mounted version is fine. Go for the higher output version with the 2.2 KW motor.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Yes that is a proper non receiver type. It has the correct controls for continuous running. They do turn up on ebay and are not as popular as receiver mounted types so tend to fetch less. A mate of mine recently got a brand new one for £220 !!!
These small reciever mounted Hydrovanes are very popular with hobby users so fetch more. In your case , for your application the stand mounted version is fine. Go for the higher output version with the 2.2 KW motor.

Tigler,
I'm in two minds at the mo but trending towards letting this one pass (if anyone else fancies it, feel free) - I think I should really wait for one with a receiver. Just thinking about things like when I want to blow away a bit of dust and the like - would be nice to have a reservoir of air for that. The seller says this one is 'as new' but it's a long way from home for me so I can't realistically go and take a look at it. I already have a powerful SIP compressor which works fine so I'm thinking I should prioritise equipment which adds to my repertoire (like a plasma cutter) first and then improve existing functionality later.
Thanks for your help,
Graham.
P.S. I might change my mind if I saw a new one for £220 though!

 

[Gary900r]

This version was made from 1985 until 1995 when the model number changed.
Having worked for Hydrovane distributors for 28years I would pass on that one and wait for a receiver version. As Tigler says try to get the 2.2kw version as the have about twice the output(same air end but the bigger motor spins the airend at twice the speed of the smaller one).
2.2kw models were the 15, then 502 and currently HV02.

 

[GrahamGKD]

Thank you both - I'll keep an eye out for a 2.2KW model on a receiver.
Graham.

 

[the snooper]

having a receiver will also give you a smoother air flow better for spraying.

 

[brightspark]

having a receiver will also give you a smoother air flow better for spraying.

and help with condensation and cool the air

 

[William Small]

Anyone ever manage to get a manual for the Hydrovane 15 compressor?