TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 504
Club RR Member Number: 168
|
Recommissioning a compressor?TessierAshpool
@tessierashpool
Club Retro Rides Member 168
|
|
Hi all, Picked up a compressor today. It's a 200L Sipair Workshop Series, from 1982. Seller said it "ran when parked" a few years ago. It also comes with a spare (and I'm told unused) compressor head. Obviously it's not been run in a while, and I can see there's a couple of bits that need immediate attention like the cutout button needs replacing and it's connector is broken. Possibly the drain plug needs to be replaced too as it looks always-open at present. Apart from what I know about, anything I should know before I run this up? Thanks. Cost £80 by the way bit too big for me really but a serious upgrade from my 24L one!
|
|
|
|
|
Phil H
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,448
Club RR Member Number: 133
|
Recommissioning a compressor?Phil H
@philhoward
Club Retro Rides Member 133
|
|
Make sure it will stop before you try and get it to start - namely the cutoff! Assuming it's a variable one, wind it down to something 30 or 40psi first; gives you chance to check the operation (and for leaks) and reach for the power supply if it doesn't shut off when it should.
Might be worth changing the oil if its been sat that long, and check the compressor turns by hand before applying electricity. An insulation check wouldn't be a bad idea either but not easy without the correct kit.
|
|
|
|
TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 504
Club RR Member Number: 168
|
Recommissioning a compressor?TessierAshpool
@tessierashpool
Club Retro Rides Member 168
|
|
Make sure it will stop before you try and get it to start - namely the cutoff! Assuming it's a variable one, wind it down to something 30 or 40psi first; gives you chance to check the operation (and for leaks) and reach for the power supply if it doesn't shut off when it should. Might be worth changing the oil if its been sat that long, and check the compressor turns by hand before applying electricity. An insulation check wouldn't be a bad idea either but not easy without the correct kit. Thanks, all good to know. It turns by hand and builds up some pressure if I put my thumb over the cutout switch's hole, so that's a good start. I'll replace the cutout switch entirely with a new one and new connector as I can see various problems there, and run new wire. I guess I can run up the electric motor without the belt on to test that in isolation too. The oil change is a good idea, looks like the oil is cheap as chips to buy.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hi, If you can take the plug off the end of the tank and have a look inside to see what the corrosion is like.
A tip is to replace the pump intake filter with a car one, it quietens them down no end.
Colin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
It will come in handy even if you never use it
|
|
|
|
Jun 10, 2020 20:48:37 GMT
|
Hi, If you can take the plug off the end of the tank and have a look inside to see what the corrosion is like. A tip is to replace the pump intake filter with a car one, it quietens them down no end. Colin Interesting - not heard of that. Any pointers as to which to fit?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 10, 2020 22:12:04 GMT
|
Hi, If you can take the plug off the end of the tank and have a look inside to see what the corrosion is like. A tip is to replace the pump intake filter with a car one, it quietens them down no end. Colin Interesting - not heard of that. Any pointers as to which to fit? Hi, I read on a forum (this one I think) about someone used an exhaust silencer but then you still need to find a filter. I had for some time thought about fitting an air filter off of a car because the tiny foam filter was continuously needing cleaning. Anyway a few years ago I fitted an automotive air filter and was surprised at the reduction in noise. I used the filter from a diesel Sherpa that I broke complete with its trunking and just made an adaptor for the pump intake. The same filter is used on SD1 6pots and some Maestro/Montego models. It's vastly over sized for it's task but I think that's why it's so effective, to be honest any filter that you have knocking about that could be made to fit would do. I'll try and get a pic tomorrow if you like. Colin
|
|
|
|
TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 504
Club RR Member Number: 168
|
Recommissioning a compressor?TessierAshpool
@tessierashpool
Club Retro Rides Member 168
|
|
colnerov thanks - I've had a look inside this filter housing, and it appears to contain a filter that looks like an internal motorcycle oil filter, which I'm guessing is non-standard. I'll see how it sounds when I start it! The only filters I've got to hand are motorcycle pod filters - would make it look racier but doubt it would help the noise! Everyone loves a bit of induction noise though right? On the note of starting it, I've ordered a new drain valve, pressure switch, gauge, and pressure relief valve, and also oil for the compressor, so when they arrive I'll have a go at starting it. I've gone for 8 bar switch/valve for now. The tank is designed for 11/12bar but 8 is hopefully enough for my needs, and gives me a bit of a safety margin on the old tank.
|
|
|
|
TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 504
Club RR Member Number: 168
|
Recommissioning a compressor?TessierAshpool
@tessierashpool
Club Retro Rides Member 168
|
Jun 11, 2020 11:51:31 GMT
|
Bit of an update, parts turned up.
I've run it up to 3 bar. On/off switch works, compressor works, electric motor works.
The non-return valve isn't non-returning, so I'll take that off and see if it can be cleaned or replaced. Other than that, no leaks.
It's quieter than I imagined it would be - my 24L baby compressor is substantially noisier than this one.
It's also good news that so far the compressor pump is working perfectly, I could potentially sell on the spare pump that came with it which appears to not have ever been used. That wold probably recoup most of the costs (so far £80 compressor, £35 parts). The story from the seller was that the apprentice in the shop had told him the compressor had failed, so he bought a new pump before realising the apprentice had accidentally hit the safety switch. How true that is I don't know, as surely no-one would trust the word of the YTS boy?...
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jun 11, 2020 11:59:53 GMT
|
Keep the new pump, sell the old one?
|
|
|
|
|
|
TessierAshpool
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 504
Club RR Member Number: 168
|
Recommissioning a compressor?TessierAshpool
@tessierashpool
Club Retro Rides Member 168
|
Jun 11, 2020 19:08:01 GMT
|
Yeah looking that way. Still got to run it up to full pressure once I sort the non return valve but a good buy it seems.
|
|
|
|