Air Compressor leaks and dies

uriahsky

New member
Joined
Oct 27, 2004
Messages
94
Reaction score
2
Location
Lompoc, California
I have a problem with an air compressor that runs a few games. It sometimes develops a leak and will run and run until something breaks. I know, shut it off before it breaks. The problem is I am not there but once or twice a week and no matter how hard I try, the employees just can't seem to care enough to pay attention to something like this on a continuous basis. Is there something I can add to this thing to shut it off if it runs too long? I think it has a thermal fuse in it but it didn't work a week or so ago and the piston broke in half. I could also use some way to drain the water automatically.
Any ideas,
Thanks
Russ
 
If runs on 110, just plug it into a timer.

They make them for 220v as well, but you might have to do some rewiring to get a compatible connector on the wire.

Not sure how your system is set up to drain water, but offhand, it sounds like something a hardware geek would like to play with. Some sort of PIC or Arduino circuit to activate a solenoid valve.
 
Last edited:
Air compressor

I recommend a belt drive air compressor. The direct drive compressors are extremely light duty. They are for once a month Usage for a few minutes. Try to find a cast iron compressor like an older (10+) craftsman or Campbell Hausfeld. They are quieter, and can run continuously occasionally without melting down. As for the tank drain, there are electric automatic drain valves available. Be sure to pipe the drain securely, as the water drains at tank pressure. Check www.grainger.com part number 1TCB2. Your local branch is in Oxnard. They will ship.
 
Last edited:
Yeah a timer is about the only idea I can think of too.

Otherwise, you would need a themal temp sensor, that when hot, would trigger a relay to switch the compressor off.

At that point, you might as well call a tech to come repair the leak so it functions like it was when new.

Can you change out the thremal fuse to a smaller AMP, so it'll blow a lot faster?

Large trucks like I work on and with for example have self draining air tanks, not sure if there is a way to retro fit your compressor with a self drain style drain myself.
 
Just be careful what you plug it into,my shop at work caught on fire 3 weeks ago as a result of a compressor/extension cord. I was able to put it out but just barely.

fire002.jpg


fire001.jpg


fire003.jpg


fire004.jpg


fire005.jpg
 
Thanks

Thanks everyone.
I think the only problem with the timer thing is that I need the compressor working from the time they open until the time they close. They do manage to turn everything off at night but I guess the hours they are open are enough to cause problems. I guess what I am asking for isn't quite practical. How would something know it is a leak or just a high amount of use? I was hoping for something that could sense that the motor was running without enough pause for over an hour or two. Maybe a thermal fuse that shuts off quicker and is a manual reset that way someone has to pay attention and perhaps look for a leak. I do have what I think is a belt drive compressor.

DEWALT D55167 1.6 HP 200 PSI Oil Free High Pressure Low Noise Horizontal Portable Compressor

I took it apart and there is a belt driving it so I guess it is belt drive. It is not very "Low Noise"
I will contact Dewalt and see if they can recommend a fuse that would work.
Thanks for the pointer to the drain valve. It looks like exactly what I need.
Thanks again,
Russ
 
DO NOT buy an oil free compressor! They are very noisy at the least and dont hold up well.
Automatic tank drains have been around for decades, look into one. If you want to buy a quality compressor look up "Quincy" brand.
 
+1 that you don't want an oil free compressor in a commercial environment. Oil free units are for the homeowner doing occasional repairs and small construction projects.

If you know you've got a leak, find it. Fix it. Get a spray bottle with soapy water and spray down all the joints.
 
I mentioned this in another thread, but I bought a used Craftsman oilless compressor that turned out to be a decent buy, but the crack head looking couple that sold out lied about the condition of it. It was a Craigslist ad with a couple of crappy pics. The seller (wife) replied to email saying it worked, etc.. come check it out.

I showed up at this house at night in a bad part of town and 'husband wasn't home yet'. The wife came to the door dressed in a nightie looking big t-shirt, and seemed skeevy - the kind of gal that looks pretty good for a mug shot. After she secured the giant dog in the house, I nervously went into the back yard and saw it in a rickety shed with no lights. I scanned around for meth lab stuff, but didn't see any. She awkwardly tries to shine a flashlight in the shed. The guy gets home, meets us in the backyard, shows me the compressor, etc..it was very clean, but he 'didn't need it.' While he was pulling it out of the shed, into the light, down a home made wooden plywood ramp, the guy slipped real quick right onto his back, like out of a cartoon. He laid there like he was dead for a second, then just groaned about his back. Talk about awkward.... He got up, I gave him the cash and hurriedly loaded it up and left..

Got it home, ran it the next day and found that there was no compression. Damn.. we had turned it on, but hearing it run, I figured all was well.

I took it apart - the cylinder/sleeve was badly scored, the compression ring/piston was completely trashed. Had to replace the cylinder/sleeve, compression ring, related o-rings. Seems like about $30/parts from Sears Parts Direct. Also added a nice valve on the bottom from Lowes. The petcocks are usually garbage, even on the more expensive ones.

Point is, buy used for a great price, beware with oil-less that you may have to repair it.
 
If you need some more detailed info on the compressors let me know. Its what I do for a living. If you get a compressor that is 100% duty cycle, you won't have to worry about it running all the time. They are designed to do just that. Nothing you buy from Sears, Home Depot, Lowes, or Tractor Supply is going to be that style.
 
Back
Top Bottom