Broken regulator

[VicParticipant @vic]

The regulator on my compressor was leaking badly so I've taken it apart and it's broken inside. Not sure where to get a replacement with the correct thread but I'm wondering if I actually need to replace it as it's normally turned right up anyway?

Any compressor experts out there?

Should have said it's an oil less 2hp 25 litre model Hurricane.

[VicParticipant @vic]

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

.

Yes you do need to unfortunately replace it otherwise it will never switch off until something broke.

Motor burnout from overload – Not good. Or receiver or pipe work splits / explodes due to over pressure. – Even more not good than just plain not good.!

Nick

[VicParticipant @vic]

The regulator comes after the pressure switch so I assumed it didn't matter.

But, looking at my box of bits I've found another combined regulator/water filter which I'd like to use. It goes up to the same 10bar/140 psi limit. Trouble is there isn't room to fit it unless I can get a piece of 4" long 1/4" bps pipe.

Ive also found in my tap and die box both parallel and taper 1/4" BSP dies so I could bore out some mild steel bar and make my own "pipe"? Sounds doable as I only need to turn down the ends to a suitable diameter.

I'm guessing I need to use the taper tap though so what's the easiest way for me to turn the ends and what size/s do I need?!

I should add that I had to take the old regulator completely apart in order to remove it due to lack of space so don't fancy doing this on a replacement.

Looks like a DIY job to me unless I can buy a piece of four inch 1/4" BSP threaded pipe …

Help!

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Posted by Nick_G on 06/09/2015 20:46:46:

.

Yes you do need to unfortunately replace it otherwise it will never switch off until something broke.

Motor burnout from overload – Not good. Or receiver or pipe work splits / explodes due to over pressure. – Even more not good than just plain not good.!

Nick

Hi Nick, I believe you are getting mixed up with the cut out switch. The regulator controls the pressure that you want to use at the output and has no bearing on switching off when it reaches max design pressure, however I believe there are some of the low priced compressors that have the regulator integral with the cut out switch, in which case Vic will have to replace the complete unit.

Vic, it would be desirable to have a regulator fitted, even if it is normally turned up fully, any regulator should be OK as long as it is capable to handle the max pressure output that your compressor reaches and which can deliver the volume of air that is needed. Depending on the make, I would expect the thread will be BSP and a different size can be accommodated with reducers.

Regards Nick.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Vic, go and see a plumber or heating engineer or two, one of them would most likely make you a short length for a drink or two. Yes your combined regulator and water filter would be OK to use.

Regards Nick.

[Nick_GParticipant @nick_g]

Posted by Nicholas Farr on 06/09/2015 21:14:45:

Hi Nick, I believe you are getting mixed up with the cut out switch.

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You are right. I am.

Clouding my thought chain is the fact mine is a combined unit.

Nick

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

I needed to re-organise the fitting on my small compressor in order to fit it into the space – the original quick release unscrewed leaving, thankfully, a standard 1/4 BSP but the air hose would not bend tight enough so I used a small bit of 20mm sq bar (in hindsight 25mm would have been better), drilled (or rather bored), 2 holes 12mm at right angles to meet within bar then tapped 1/4 BSP, even tho the hole was slightly oversize (the nearest standard drill being 11.5mm but not in my set,) it was still hard work but using the standard PTFE tape seemed ok up to max 10bar that the compressor can deliver and used male-male couplers to connect to compressor + hose – Toolstation sell the larger air fittings + some 1/4BSP, Axminster have a wider range of converters but their short length nitrile hose was out of stock when I tried some time ago due back in by late August so you could try them for a metre or so

[VicParticipant @vic]

I've found a BSP thread chart so I think I'm sorted.

[Speedy Builder5Participant @speedybuilder5]

After more than 70 years of service, several repairs etc etc, my Aerograph regulator / filter has seen better days. SCREW FIX sell them for £19 , so that's my solution.
BobH

[VicParticipant @vic]

Only £7 on screwfix at the moment but the ports are too big for mine at 1/2" BSP.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Up and running now. I turned the ends down to 13mm on some 15mm mild steel bar and tapped both ends BSPT and cut a couple of spanner flats. There seems to be a tiny leak on the regulator spindle but it's too small at the moment to worry about. Can't remember where I bought it so not to worry.

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