Doug Hobkirk
01-02-2010, 11:49 PM
My air compressor runs well when the temperature is in the mid-thirties but it doesn't like bitter cold. With the belt removed, the motor spins freely but the compressor wheel is very hard to turn. I use the compressor to fill tires, blow off dust, and sometimes for a pin nailer - i.e., I don't use it very often.
I don't know anything about this compressor. I bought it used for $35. There is no manual. I cannot find a manufacturer's name (except GE for the motor). The tank is about 9 gallons based on calculations. I replaced the rubber compressor mounts with simpler rubber "washer" mounts, added a structure so I could attach a reel for my long hose, and painted it. It pumps up to a little over a 100 psi. The previous owner had a cup covering the pressure limiter (?), so I continued his practice with a coffee can. I keep the compressor in a lean-to type shed I added to the side of the garage (my workshop). It runs extremely quietly.
I am hoping I can find answers to these questions.
Is this a hopeless cause? Should I just accept that it simply is not capable of running in cold weather?
Is there a practical way to calculate CFM at specific PSI's? (I would like to find if it is capable of running a HVLP paint gun)
It seems slow to build up pressure when it runs - how long should it take to build up to 100 psi?
Should I fill the compressor with oil up to the threaded boss for the top bolt?
What weight oil should I use? (I assume it should be the lightest (lowest number) compressor oil I can find)
Thanks, as always.
I don't know anything about this compressor. I bought it used for $35. There is no manual. I cannot find a manufacturer's name (except GE for the motor). The tank is about 9 gallons based on calculations. I replaced the rubber compressor mounts with simpler rubber "washer" mounts, added a structure so I could attach a reel for my long hose, and painted it. It pumps up to a little over a 100 psi. The previous owner had a cup covering the pressure limiter (?), so I continued his practice with a coffee can. I keep the compressor in a lean-to type shed I added to the side of the garage (my workshop). It runs extremely quietly.
I am hoping I can find answers to these questions.
Is this a hopeless cause? Should I just accept that it simply is not capable of running in cold weather?
Is there a practical way to calculate CFM at specific PSI's? (I would like to find if it is capable of running a HVLP paint gun)
It seems slow to build up pressure when it runs - how long should it take to build up to 100 psi?
Should I fill the compressor with oil up to the threaded boss for the top bolt?
What weight oil should I use? (I assume it should be the lightest (lowest number) compressor oil I can find)
Thanks, as always.