Old Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor - Small n Slow

[monkbonk]

I bought this air compressor on eBay, and it looked a shit ton bigger in the pictures than what I actually received. No matter. I plugged it in to see what it could do. The tank is a 10 gallon at best that maxes out at 100psi, and it pumps up rather slowly. It doesn't keep up with my little die grinder at all.

 

I'm kinda wondering if there's any mods I can do to make it run faster. It has a 5 HP motor on it. I've got one of those speed controllers from harbor freight  http://www.harborfreight.com/router-speed-control-43060.html

 

I'm thinking I could use that.

 

I've got a side shaft gasoline motor (5.5 HP) I could use as a last resort. eh?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bananahamuck]

Your motor says it is supposed to be spinning at 3450 rpms and that is as fast as any motor like that can, the other speed option is 1800 rpms.. A higher horsepower motor is used when the pump is bigger because it takes more horses to spin them.

 

i use 2 compressors of least 4 horsepower or bigger at once, with as many storage tanks as i can bum off other dudes, when i'm using grinding/sanding type tools for long periods of time.. But the power bill is usually huge.

[monkbonk]

I used to have a Jobsmart 26 gallon air compressor with a 2.5 HP motor. So, I'm coming down to this. My issue is likely the small tank size then, I guess. I'll search for a larger tank first, followed by an eventual pump upgrade.

[dr.feltersnatch]

i have one very similar but bigger. if you pull the head off there are a couple reed valves. mine were corroded and not working properly. i cleaned them up and it works way better. other than that i dont think there is much you can do. mine is probably twice that size and it wont keep up with a grinder either. just look at it as a way to slow down and plan your work :rofl:

[monkbonk]

I'm going to look at another compressor today. It's a Sears/Craftsman for $30. Looks to be a 15 gallon or bigger.

 

I'll try to recondition the reed valves in the green one.

[monkbonk]

omg. I bought the Sears craftsman compressor today. Came home and plugged it in. It blows air out of the intake.

[monkbonk]

I figured it out. One of my little valve plates was broken.

 

EdiT: Oics

 

Here's the compressor:

 

It has a campbell hausfeld type oil less pump on it. Here are the valve plates:

 

 

And a thick plate that goes in the middle:

 

I believe the intake valve plate is the one that is broken. I did a temporary repair by permatexing some aluminium over the broken piece to flesh it out. It worked up until about 40 psi. Then it at the thin aluminium. I found the valve plate kit for $35 on eBay. That'll fix it.