Thread: Air Compressor Regulator Replacement

You should be able to mount a alternative regulator either in the location of the original unit, or if more convenient for you, at the location of the tank guage you mention. If you are doing stuff that needs a decent flow rate, use a full size regulator/water trap rather than a mini unit. They are a bit dearer but have much better flow capacity. You may end up having to remote mount the unit as it is considerably larger than a guage, but should be able to do this with a simple bracket and connect via a couple of 1/4NPT to 8mm or 10mm barb fittings, a short length of matching hose, and a pair of quality hose clamps. The full size reg normally has adual guages for tank and regulated pressure.

When you mention a plug at the pressure switch, beware if this is located on the fitting between the compressor head and the tank, as that fitting normally contains a one way valve and small diameter dump pipe connecting to the pressure switch. There is normally a blanking plug on the one way valve to allow it to be assembled. Do not remove that blanking plug. Purpose of the valve set and dump pipe is to allow the pressure switch too dump pressure in the compressor head and head to tank feed pipe each time the motor is cut by the pressure switch to facilitate restarting the motor next time. The one way valve prevents tank pressure from repressurising the head and feed pipe.

Originally Posted by malb

You should be able to mount a alternative regulator either in the location of the original unit, or if more convenient for you, at the location of the tank guage you mention. If you are doing stuff that needs a decent flow rate, use a full size regulator/water trap rather than a mini unit. They are a bit dearer but have much better flow capacity. You may end up having to remote mount the unit as it is considerably larger than a guage, but should be able to do this with a simple bracket and connect via a couple of 1/4NPT to 8mm or 10mm barb fittings, a short length of matching hose, and a pair of quality hose clamps. The full size reg normally has adual guages for tank and regulated pressure.

Thanks for response, much appreciated. I was looking for a replacement to the one I had with no luck and the guy selling me a mini unit said it will be fine, can I blow the mini unit, the gauge at the pressure switch goes up to 300psi but the one on the regulator is only 150psi? Should I get a refund and look for a better one?

When you are dealing with compressed air, consider it in the same "caution/danger" category as any compressed gas.
I'd encourage you to go to someone like SMC Pneumatics for good sound advice, they have an office in Melbourne and a free call phone number.
I used to buy all sorts of equipment off them for industry as there produces are good.
Regulators | SMC Pneumatics Australia
Cheers, crowie

Originally Posted by solcom

Thanks for response, much appreciated. I was looking for a replacement to the one I had with no luck and the guy selling me a mini unit said it will be fine, can I blow the mini unit, the gauge at the pressure switch goes up to 300psi but the one on the regulator is only 150psi? Should I get a refund and look for a better one?

The smaller the regulator, the smaller the air passages in it will be. If you need high flow for sander/ grinders or spray guns etc where you need the air to flow at moderate to high rates virtually continuously, a full size reg will give better flow. If you need intermittent low to moderate flow for say a nail gun or ratchet/rattle gun, a mini reg would be adequate. Personally I would go regular size for a replacement if I had to replace a reg.

Pressure wise, the pressure switch should stop the motor and bleed the feed line at around 120PSI for a normal general use compressor, then restart once the tank bleeds down to around 100PSI, so the tank pressure would vary from about 100 to 120PSI as the unit cycles. Normal guage range is typically 0-150PSI or similar.

Do you regularly bleed the tank down to atmospheric pressure and drain the tank to clear it of water? Should generally be done daily for regular use or at end of use for occasional use. If water levels build up, they make the unit run shorter, more frequent cycles which is not good for the motor, and if water gets to the regs or pressure switches it destroys them.