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havasu

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My Craftsman air compressor (25 gallon) had a leaky bypass valve. Problem was, everyone I spoke to couldn't tell me why the air was leaking down beyond the pressure between the tank and the valves. I priced out all the parts, and they came to over $100, but couldn't guaranty this would fix my problem.

The other day, I see my neighbor had tossed an old, unknown brand air compressor out in the trash to be hauled away. I saw the bleeder valves, bypass valve and pressure switch were all the same as what I had. Well, it took 2 hours and swapped out the parts with all my defective parts, and now I have a solid running air compressor. I lubed it up and tightened all the shields, and it is like a new compressor. Oh, by the way, it is 109 in the garage right now, so I am a pile of sweat but it was worth it. Expected to climb to 116 today. Hell, today is hotter than it is at the Colorado River!
 
I like the DIY experience. It's not about the money, it's about the learning, the challenges, the.....................
..........O hell, ...........it's about the money. :D
Nice job.
 
So, I filled up my tank to 125 PSI, unplugged it to see if I lost any air overnight. I went out today and found I had no pressure at all. I fired it up and saw my 5' leader hose from my compressor to my 50' wind up air reel and blown apart. I went to (embarrassed to say...) Harbor Freight, and picked up a new swivel head 5' leader hose, added new fittings, and again pumped it up to 125 PSI. Let's see what tomorrow tells me.
 
If ya use it everyday for work you want better stuff. Once in a while, HF is probably a better choice. Everything is made in China or Mexico these days, so Harbor Freight, Walmart, NAPA, Sears........... no difference.
I'd leave the hose unconnected for the test.
 
Reading this thread reminded me to check the compressor. All the air leaked out so I pumped it up and heard the hissing of leaking air at my old I/P style quick disconnect. Yeah, more old Harbor Freight crap, so I will shoot down to Ingersall Rand and get some American made quick releases.
 
I haven't bought one, but they make a universal fit female quick connector. I've run into situations where at a place I'm working at, someone has an air tool and needs the compressor and they don't have the same fitting that I use.
 
Well, just went to Home Depot. Grabbed two sets of quick releases (one for a spare) and they charged me double from what the listed price was. I went back and took a pic of the correct price and went back to the same register. Clerk apologized but said I would need to stand in the customer service line to get my charge corrected. Well, hell yes, I did. I saved $5 but it was the principle. I just added the new fittings and will test overnight.
 
finger.jpg
 
I start every day looking like that Nick. :D
...failure is not an option, failure is not an option, failure is not an option, failure is not an option,failure is not an option, failure is not an option,failure is not an option, failure is not an option,failure is not an option, failure is not an option,failure is not an option, failure is not an option............
 
Well, dammit. I set it for 100 psi and left it overnight. Today, I am down to 10 psi. I believe I will recharge the tank, then use soap and water to find my leak. As I type this, I just realized I may have not tightened the water drain fitting tight at the bottom of the tank, and could be a source of some of the leak. I will unscrew this fitting, add some pool o ring silicone, then cinch down the thumbscrew a bit better.
 
We used soap and water to check for leaks when i welded 3 " gas pipes for a place where they melted the copper for pennies ..
I found a leak in my boat by spraying Baby powder on the walls and it showed where the leak was coming from ..

My bottom valve on my compressor is rusted shut .. I use the pull ring to empty it .. Good Luck !
 

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