ARB 4WD stores sell a pressure switch that cuts in at 70psi and out at 100/110psi, designed for their Diff Locks. They only cost @ $12. With a relay it's a cheap solution to control compressors. I only mention it as you say your controller "Maxed out" to get 100PSI? ARB also have a new switch that's 135-150 I think. I've also heard that old fire extinguishers make excellent small storage cylinders for @100PSI stuff. The one I'm looking at has 690kPa working pressure, 5.9Mpa maximum!
Too much oil will lock up the compressor, and too little is not really effective it is a delicate balancing act. the oil needs to be kept scrupulously clean if you want your compressors to last.
These compressors are designed to have a continuous throughput of oil. There is an intake tube inside the hermetically sealed container, and as oil returns to the unit from the air receiver/oil separator it reaches the level of the intake and the oil is fed back through the compressor.
Most have no rings and need very close tolerances to work efficiently, hence the recirculating oil system. A piece of capilliary line from the oil separator to the air intake will effectively meter the oil return
Hey Aussie50 I live in canada and most of our appliance's run off of 120v ac, i was wondering i have already got a propane tank ready to hook to a compressor such as yours, but before i start to solder the pipes together i 2 small pumps off of fridges from the scrap pile at the dump, but i kinked the air line to test it starting under pressure and when i unplug it and plug it back in the sompressor won't pump, any ideas how to have the line empy to the tank for easy start?
@zerodegrees8 also if you know weather a small compressor could pump up to 110psi, would like to get 120 tho, what i have for air storage is a 30 gallon propane tank, i could take pictures and post them as a video if that would help? any help is much appriciated
Your design has given me the motivation to make one of my own, basically for use with an air wratchet, small air nailer, and pumping tires, hope i hear from you
@zerodegrees8 install a check valve between the tank and pumps and install a tee between the pump and check valve. To ways to unload the pumps for a restart. One you need a on/off pressure switch with a unloader valve. small bleed valve that uses a core from a tire to bleed pressure wile the motors are off, its built into the switch. easiest way. they are found on larger pressure switches with a 2 hp and up power rating.
GR8 Video. I am building a compressor for my airbrush. I have the compressor but it did not come with the starter/PTC. So I got one from an appliance shop but it appears it is the wrong one. I got the type with a relay and thermal switch. I got the compressor to start but it soon tripped the thermal relay. I found put I need a RSCR type starter. Any ideas how I can get this to run without too much fuss?
Is it necessary to drain out the air after every use or once a month or once a week is good enough. I have a Craftsman 33 gallon air compressor but I not sure if it will rust if i drain it like 4 times a month and not after every use. I use it only 2 times a month.
I removed a pair of compressors from a fridge/freezer earlier today and was wondering if i need to put oil in them or do they already have oil in them as standard for lubrication?
Seems they have oil in them but as its donkeys years old i`ll replace it with new oil. I`m considering drilling a hole in the side of the case to act as an oil filling overflow so i can just top it up until a little runs out every so often and use a plug.. sounds reasonable? The only thing i`m not sure of is how high from the bottom of the casing to drill the hole ro provide a safe depth of oil..i was thinking 2" might be about right unless you have any recommendations?
@Digadogup Argon is a inert gas and cylinders have no external lining at all, Acetylene cylinders have a outer skin of Concrete or Asbestos, but it does not become airborne unless you are cutting the cylinder apart with a grinder.
Likewise AFIK, Acetylene tanks have a filler of Cotton Wool to absorb Acetone in the tank.
Using Argon, Nitrogen, oxygen, , Propane, or other high pressure gas cylinders as air tanks poses no airborne dust hazard.
Acetylene tanks may pose a problem, and I don't use
G'day! :P It's not really syphoning, it's the pump trying to push the oil out in it's exhaust, as mist from the piston. To stop it, you can do things like leaving the loop of tube in the output, running the hose up before down or fitting an oil trap of some kind. I've seen people using things like a ping pong ball for that. Using it as a compressor like this, you'd probably be better getting a proper oil trap (not too much). Pretty much all oil lubricated pumps do this to some extent.
@craigr13666 yeah its a bit slow for its size, big air tools will run it down pretty quick, but small die grinders, blow guns and tyre inflators are fine.
I've got a pair of commercial compressors 2X the size of them for if i ever need lots more air.
@Aussie50 can u teach me how do i setup a rig like this or recommend a site which shows you how??cuz my regular air compressor is annoyingly loud even when i put it outside
i picked up an old stainless steel LPG car tank and converted it to compressed air it works quite well. i use it as a secondary air tank that i then hook my air hose up to. it holds 70 liters much better then the 40 liter tank on my compressor.
@Aussie50 if the outlet pipe asin the one that goes to the resovour tank is goes higher that the fridge motor/compresser before it goes back down the it will not spit oil its like a cyphon so say the compresser is 15inch from ground the pipes should be say 17 inch before it goes down lower that the compressor thx nice duo make
thats prity sweet dude im doing a bit of testing on a car ac comperssor with a 4 horse brigsit fills a 9kg lp tank quick smart and am cruntly converting it onto my turbo patrol engine 4 mobial air wen im in the bush
got it finshed up 2day fills up the lpg tank i got out of a falcoon up 200 psi in about 3 mins while driving will run a rat gun 4 ages works real well
if i was to put 2 of them fridge compressors on a smaller tank like the one you got would you say this it would be ok to use things like impact guns and thing like that on
impact wrenches and similar tools need a lot of CFM airflow, but you could do short runs off it no problem!. my big tank dose just fine with die grinders and an air wrench.
Just curious. I have an small compressor from an apartment sized fridge. I plan on building a silent compressor for airbrushing. running about 30-40psi. Do you think being a smaller compressor it would keep up. I have the chance to get 2 more full size compressors. I'm assuming since the compressor is smaller, the volume of air it pumps would be too. I'm doing the same idea you did. I'm buying a 3 gallon compressor so I have pressure switch, regulator, and the tank. Thanks for your time.
I was told that you could also use an AC compressor from a car, with a small engine of course , electric or other, and that they work as good as a factory made model, does anyone know if that is true, or has anyone made one themselves?
You can make an engine or electric motor driven air compressor with an auto AC comp.
Electric motor would need to be at least 1.5Hp with a reduced belt drive (3" pulley on motor)
But a 4HP Briggs or similar engine would work fine.
The clutch requires 12V DC but you can weld the plate to the pulley so its always on
Pressure control could be managed by the clutch disengaging the comp at a set pressure (12v Control system). or a 3 way valve dumping press from the compressor while the tank holds
ask my girlfriend,lol the fact that you see the need for quiet compressures is awsome,compressures are fk noisy
one thing i am going to build one but im woried about oil ? how much oil can i lose before the pump suffers,i may need to build a site glass drain the oil put in the site glass or level tube that can handle high vaccum. also good point my compressur station will also have vaccum abilities for test that need vaccums,very good vid friend.
The pressure rating of copper pipe is dependent on many things, particularly what its classification, diameter and wall thickness is. I'd recommend "refrigeration grade" pipe which is designed to take pressures far exceeding that of the compressor especially if your pushing for 200psi +
As far as oil is concerned, if they do pump oil around, then a commercial 'oil trap' may be the easiest option to keep it in check.
I did a torture test on one of my early display compressors that I cut open, the 1/4 HP TL4a. it ran for 4 hours straight, bone dry, before seizing the main crank bearing.
I've even had a SC15 pumping water for a few mins (modified and insulated electrics on isolating transformer)
temp depends on many things, mainly how long they run for and how high the pressure required is.
Domestic fridge compressors are pretty good but many air con compressors are dependent on the icy cold return gas (called 'subcooling' in the HVAC world) for cooling and will overheat if run for too long.
Even if they do burn out after a while, their abundant and practically free to obtain anyway.
one more question how high of a pressure do you think a small unit can handel,,, i bet that scroll compressure
would do 300 psi with no problem
i wonder what the max pressure for standerd copper pipe is?
any way very good project friend this quiet
compressure thing is important to me im a night owl most big jobs are done from 1:00 to 5:00 in the morning also would you be willing to do some time trials for me and perhaps on a vid show the time it takse to refill with air,no obligation :]
dont mean to be a pest about asking for the time required to recharge,i just like minor details,to me thier all major
im the type of gie who always whants to no how fast how strong how much hp
how many rpm all that stuff is intresting to me the ability of the device is as intresting to me as the footage of the device is to others,science shows piss me of becuase of thisthey never reveal the goods
I don;t mind running tests like that at all!, it gives me something to do that's beneficial, other than turning stuff into scrap metal.
I was thinking of hooking one up to a truck tire tube ages ago to see how long it would take to go from dead flat to firm pressure. but I'll use a small tank and maybe a .5HP compressor in addition to my tandem system.
awesome music !
BADtimmay 1 week ago
how do you drain the Freon?
Australiaroo 1 month ago
That argon tank would hold around 2000 pound and those refrigeration compressors would push out about 600, so why only have 100 pound in it?
poo979 1 month ago
ARB 4WD stores sell a pressure switch that cuts in at 70psi and out at 100/110psi, designed for their Diff Locks. They only cost @ $12. With a relay it's a cheap solution to control compressors. I only mention it as you say your controller "Maxed out" to get 100PSI? ARB also have a new switch that's 135-150 I think. I've also heard that old fire extinguishers make excellent small storage cylinders for @100PSI stuff. The one I'm looking at has 690kPa working pressure, 5.9Mpa maximum!
WIZofAu 3 months ago
how many cfm is yore duel compressor rig?
windoes98se 3 months ago
@windoes98se not sure, I don't have the equipment to calculate it
Aussie50 3 months ago
Too much oil will lock up the compressor, and too little is not really effective it is a delicate balancing act. the oil needs to be kept scrupulously clean if you want your compressors to last.
ozzirt 7 months ago
These compressors are designed to have a continuous throughput of oil. There is an intake tube inside the hermetically sealed container, and as oil returns to the unit from the air receiver/oil separator it reaches the level of the intake and the oil is fed back through the compressor.
Most have no rings and need very close tolerances to work efficiently, hence the recirculating oil system. A piece of capilliary line from the oil separator to the air intake will effectively meter the oil return
ozzirt 7 months ago
do a video about a hobart stand mixer
4iwilllive 7 months ago
Hey Aussie50 I live in canada and most of our appliance's run off of 120v ac, i was wondering i have already got a propane tank ready to hook to a compressor such as yours, but before i start to solder the pipes together i 2 small pumps off of fridges from the scrap pile at the dump, but i kinked the air line to test it starting under pressure and when i unplug it and plug it back in the sompressor won't pump, any ideas how to have the line empy to the tank for easy start?
zerodegrees8 10 months ago
@zerodegrees8 also if you know weather a small compressor could pump up to 110psi, would like to get 120 tho, what i have for air storage is a 30 gallon propane tank, i could take pictures and post them as a video if that would help? any help is much appriciated
Your design has given me the motivation to make one of my own, basically for use with an air wratchet, small air nailer, and pumping tires, hope i hear from you
Jon
zerodegrees8 10 months ago
@zerodegrees8 install a check valve between the tank and pumps and install a tee between the pump and check valve. To ways to unload the pumps for a restart. One you need a on/off pressure switch with a unloader valve. small bleed valve that uses a core from a tire to bleed pressure wile the motors are off, its built into the switch. easiest way. they are found on larger pressure switches with a 2 hp and up power rating.
Two use an electric valve. Costs more!
yetilikesbeer 6 months ago
GR8 Video. I am building a compressor for my airbrush. I have the compressor but it did not come with the starter/PTC. So I got one from an appliance shop but it appears it is the wrong one. I got the type with a relay and thermal switch. I got the compressor to start but it soon tripped the thermal relay. I found put I need a RSCR type starter. Any ideas how I can get this to run without too much fuss?
valveman12 1 year ago
i need to get the freon outa a freezer so i can use the motor how can i do this and where can i dispose the freezer after geting the motor out
pyronathanpyro 1 year ago
Hi
Is it necessary to drain out the air after every use or once a month or once a week is good enough. I have a Craftsman 33 gallon air compressor but I not sure if it will rust if i drain it like 4 times a month and not after every use. I use it only 2 times a month.
thanks
kzkevin888 1 year ago
Hi Aussie
Great video mate.
I removed a pair of compressors from a fridge/freezer earlier today and was wondering if i need to put oil in them or do they already have oil in them as standard for lubrication?
cheers
colspyro 1 year ago
Seems they have oil in them but as its donkeys years old i`ll replace it with new oil. I`m considering drilling a hole in the side of the case to act as an oil filling overflow so i can just top it up until a little runs out every so often and use a plug.. sounds reasonable? The only thing i`m not sure of is how high from the bottom of the casing to drill the hole ro provide a safe depth of oil..i was thinking 2" might be about right unless you have any recommendations?
cheers
colspyro 1 year ago
im not sure about this but don't some of the argon cylinders have asbestos lining, so :/
making asbestos air born in a closed room isnt that bad
corret me if im wrong
Digadogup 1 year ago
@Digadogup Argon is a inert gas and cylinders have no external lining at all, Acetylene cylinders have a outer skin of Concrete or Asbestos, but it does not become airborne unless you are cutting the cylinder apart with a grinder.
Likewise AFIK, Acetylene tanks have a filler of Cotton Wool to absorb Acetone in the tank.
Using Argon, Nitrogen, oxygen, , Propane, or other high pressure gas cylinders as air tanks poses no airborne dust hazard.
Acetylene tanks may pose a problem, and I don't use
Aussie50 1 year ago 3
what would you say the cfm is?
pfun41 1 year ago
Feuer Frei bang bang!
mafiouso 1 year ago
totally awesome man, I want one now :)
MultiMediaMafia 1 year ago
HOW MANY BAR WILL A FRIDGE COMPRESSOR GO UP TO?
wetdogpawseeeeeeeeey 1 year ago
@wetdogpawseeeeeeeeey 20-30 bar but id go to 12 with caution and not go past 15
Digadogup 1 year ago
G'day! :P It's not really syphoning, it's the pump trying to push the oil out in it's exhaust, as mist from the piston. To stop it, you can do things like leaving the loop of tube in the output, running the hose up before down or fitting an oil trap of some kind. I've seen people using things like a ping pong ball for that. Using it as a compressor like this, you'd probably be better getting a proper oil trap (not too much). Pretty much all oil lubricated pumps do this to some extent.
lexichronicle2 1 year ago
thanks great vid vary inspyering
scotttufts 1 year ago
You can use some 5-2-1 compressor saver start caps on those things to allow them to hot start every time
five-two-one dot c o m
lazerusmfh 1 year ago
very nice! You have the most silent workshop! :P sure with these compressor you can work with half the noise!
MaurizioM89 1 year ago
what kind of equipment do you run with this set up? DO you have any trouble with the compressor keeping up?
craigr13666 1 year ago
@craigr13666 yeah its a bit slow for its size, big air tools will run it down pretty quick, but small die grinders, blow guns and tyre inflators are fine.
I've got a pair of commercial compressors 2X the size of them for if i ever need lots more air.
Aussie50 1 year ago
@Aussie50 can u teach me how do i setup a rig like this or recommend a site which shows you how??cuz my regular air compressor is annoyingly loud even when i put it outside
jaja1818 1 year ago
what kind of refrigerator compressor did you mount on the red Eagle pessure Tank?
I want to buy this compressor.
netz951 2 years ago
That was a Danfoss SC15 BM, I've already given the compressor to a friend.
Aussie50 2 years ago
@Aussie50 Thank you Mad. When you got another kompressor like this, can you contact me. Thanks
netz951 2 years ago
i picked up an old stainless steel LPG car tank and converted it to compressed air it works quite well. i use it as a secondary air tank that i then hook my air hose up to. it holds 70 liters much better then the 40 liter tank on my compressor.
Tomthetoolman100 2 years ago
does it matter what capacitor you use.
Tomthetoolman100 2 years ago
That's a big bad son of a gun there!! Very nice!! And quiet!!! Nice!!!
Mickstix18 2 years ago
Yeh i like this. 50$ for a compressor!!! Cheap i wish englands wasn;t rediculasly expensive!
geowal19 2 years ago
and your unforgivin 2!!!!!
geowal19 2 years ago
Is it true that a modern compressor used as a aircompressor will pupmp the oil out
MrJRamal 2 years ago
any air compressor that uses wet-sump lubrication will pump oil out with the air, the more worn the piston and rings are, the more oil will come out.
Ingersol Rand and a few other companies make oilless air compressors, but they are very pricey.
Aussie50 2 years ago
@Aussie50 if the outlet pipe asin the one that goes to the resovour tank is goes higher that the fridge motor/compresser before it goes back down the it will not spit oil its like a cyphon so say the compresser is 15inch from ground the pipes should be say 17 inch before it goes down lower that the compressor thx nice duo make
pyronathanpyro 1 year ago
what about the oil inside the compressor?if it spill do i have to refill it and is a dip stick is necessary?
uploadtimer 2 years ago
It depends how long you intend to use it for, most people just add a teaspoon of fine mineral oil every 10 hours or so of run time
Aussie50 2 years ago
yeah that'll be fine, just fit a water trap on the outlet, and a drain valve to the bottom of the tank and it'll last years.
Aussie50 2 years ago
neither compressor needs a check valve since the compressors start under full load and have air tight valves inside.
The red tank dose have a check valve and unloader from the old compressor pump which wouldn't start under load.
Aussie50 2 years ago
thats prity sweet dude im doing a bit of testing on a car ac comperssor with a 4 horse brigsit fills a 9kg lp tank quick smart and am cruntly converting it onto my turbo patrol engine 4 mobial air wen im in the bush
89rs89 2 years ago
that's the way!, I've seen ad's in the 4X4 magazines for the "endless air" system,, which is exactly the same!
Aussie50 2 years ago
got it finshed up 2day fills up the lpg tank i got out of a falcoon up 200 psi in about 3 mins while driving will run a rat gun 4 ages works real well
89rs89 2 years ago
if i was to put 2 of them fridge compressors on a smaller tank like the one you got would you say this it would be ok to use things like impact guns and thing like that on
cheers
jay
jay15kz 2 years ago
impact wrenches and similar tools need a lot of CFM airflow, but you could do short runs off it no problem!. my big tank dose just fine with die grinders and an air wrench.
Aussie50 2 years ago
would putting 2 compressors on help a tall
jay15kz 2 years ago
definitely, it would double the amount of air going into the tank and halve recharge time!
Aussie50 2 years ago
cool thanks for all your help man greatly appreciated =]
jay15kz 2 years ago
Just curious. I have an small compressor from an apartment sized fridge. I plan on building a silent compressor for airbrushing. running about 30-40psi. Do you think being a smaller compressor it would keep up. I have the chance to get 2 more full size compressors. I'm assuming since the compressor is smaller, the volume of air it pumps would be too. I'm doing the same idea you did. I'm buying a 3 gallon compressor so I have pressure switch, regulator, and the tank. Thanks for your time.
br0ken68 2 years ago
The small fridge compressors do pump a small amount of air, if you can get the bigger ones I'd advise using them instead!.
but the small one would charge a small propane tank pretty well. but you may not get the constant CFM needed for the airbrush.
Aussie50 2 years ago
I was told that you could also use an AC compressor from a car, with a small engine of course , electric or other, and that they work as good as a factory made model, does anyone know if that is true, or has anyone made one themselves?
azzllin 2 years ago
You can make an engine or electric motor driven air compressor with an auto AC comp.
Electric motor would need to be at least 1.5Hp with a reduced belt drive (3" pulley on motor)
But a 4HP Briggs or similar engine would work fine.
The clutch requires 12V DC but you can weld the plate to the pulley so its always on
Pressure control could be managed by the clutch disengaging the comp at a set pressure (12v Control system). or a 3 way valve dumping press from the compressor while the tank holds
Aussie50 2 years ago
Yep, they sure are quiet air compressors (compared to my el-cheapo but otherwise OK repco 2HP model). I guess the flow is a bit disapointing though?
BigMaxTube 2 years ago
The flow on the little portable one is pretty dismal, but a bigger compressor will fix that.
the tandem had no trouble seating beads on 2 big lawn tractor tires in a row, purely due to tank capacity.
Aussie50 2 years ago
thanks for the vid and yes noise sucks
ask my girlfriend,lol the fact that you see the need for quiet compressures is awsome,compressures are fk noisy
one thing i am going to build one but im woried about oil ? how much oil can i lose before the pump suffers,i may need to build a site glass drain the oil put in the site glass or level tube that can handle high vaccum. also good point my compressur station will also have vaccum abilities for test that need vaccums,very good vid friend.
NOBOX7 2 years ago
The pressure rating of copper pipe is dependent on many things, particularly what its classification, diameter and wall thickness is. I'd recommend "refrigeration grade" pipe which is designed to take pressures far exceeding that of the compressor especially if your pushing for 200psi +
Aussie50 2 years ago
As far as oil is concerned, if they do pump oil around, then a commercial 'oil trap' may be the easiest option to keep it in check.
I did a torture test on one of my early display compressors that I cut open, the 1/4 HP TL4a. it ran for 4 hours straight, bone dry, before seizing the main crank bearing.
I've even had a SC15 pumping water for a few mins (modified and insulated electrics on isolating transformer)
Aussie50 2 years ago
glad you like it!
temp depends on many things, mainly how long they run for and how high the pressure required is.
Domestic fridge compressors are pretty good but many air con compressors are dependent on the icy cold return gas (called 'subcooling' in the HVAC world) for cooling and will overheat if run for too long.
Even if they do burn out after a while, their abundant and practically free to obtain anyway.
Aussie50 2 years ago
im going to take a look at my water cooler tonight i found it in the trash it looks good
NOBOX7 2 years ago
one more question how high of a pressure do you think a small unit can handel,,, i bet that scroll compressure
would do 300 psi with no problem
i wonder what the max pressure for standerd copper pipe is?
any way very good project friend this quiet
compressure thing is important to me im a night owl most big jobs are done from 1:00 to 5:00 in the morning also would you be willing to do some time trials for me and perhaps on a vid show the time it takse to refill with air,no obligation :]
NOBOX7 2 years ago
dont mean to be a pest about asking for the time required to recharge,i just like minor details,to me thier all major
im the type of gie who always whants to no how fast how strong how much hp
how many rpm all that stuff is intresting to me the ability of the device is as intresting to me as the footage of the device is to others,science shows piss me of becuase of thisthey never reveal the goods
NOBOX7 2 years ago
I don;t mind running tests like that at all!, it gives me something to do that's beneficial, other than turning stuff into scrap metal.
I was thinking of hooking one up to a truck tire tube ages ago to see how long it would take to go from dead flat to firm pressure. but I'll use a small tank and maybe a .5HP compressor in addition to my tandem system.
Aussie50 2 years ago
That's an awesome setup! I was going to ask about cooling, but you said they barely become warm, so I guess it's ok then^^
coolbluelights 2 years ago