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Reciprocating air compressors always have an unloader valve. A reciprocating air compressor will have at least one cylinder, and often may have two or sometimes even three cylinders. This Fix My Compressor website is focused on the do it yourself and small workshop air compressor and most of these are reciprocating type air compressors. What the air compressor unloader valve doesĬompressor unloader valves are common pieces of equipment on many types of air compressors including reciprocating, rotary screw and even gasoline or other fossil fueled air compressors. If the unloader valve has failed when the motor tries to start quite often the motor will lug (struggle) to start and typically a breaker will trip or a fuse will blow. When the the air compressor unloader valve is working correctly, the pressure in the tank has dropped to below the normal cut in pressure level of the pressure switch, the pressure switch trips to allow power to flow through it, and the motor starts. The air compressor unloader valve provides a critical function in preparing your air compressor to restart.Ī failed air compressor unloader valve is one of the most common reasons why your air compressor cannot restart after you have used air from the compressor tank. Ideally, you should get the correctly sized compressor for the job.Īs always, check the air compressor manufacturers label for the recommended PSI.Hey! This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site. While most tanks are designed to withstand excess pressure, many of them have had water in them for several seasons and are rusted and weakened, making the risk of explosion much higher. If it causes a rupture of the storage tank, the results can be deadly. It can be very dangerous to increase the pressure output of your pump. Also, be aware that by creating this “artificial demand”, you are going to increase your consumption costs and run the risk of destroying the compressor pump.īefore adjusting your pressure switch, check to make sure your regulator is adjusted properly. However, you need to be careful not to exceed your equipment’s safety ratings. Maybe you are doing a lot of work with hardwoods or you are working on a project that needs more torque.ĭialing up the pressure switch can help you “cheat” that little extra power from your compressor. Increasing the settings can allow you to get more pressure from your existing machine. Can you turn up the pressure on your compressor? Risks and Dangers This can be handy if you have an oversized compressor and are using it for a job that doesn’t need the added pressure. If you don’t need as much pressure, dialing the switch back can make your compressor more efficient, reducing costs and maintenance. If the pressure builds to a dangerous level, unplug your compressor immediately.īack to Top ▲ Why would you lower the pressure?Įfficiency also comes into play. Maintain a minimum of 20-PSI pressure range between cut-in and cut-out.Ĭaution: It is possible to set the cut-out pressure so high that the compressor doesn’t turn off, and runs until the safety valve engages, the motor burns up, or the tank ruptures. Adjustment is the same: unplug the compressor and turn the set screw one rotation inward to get a higher pressure level and is turned counter-clockwise to get a lower pressure level. Ideally, the cutout pressure point is set about 20-40 psi higher than the cut-in pressure. If you need to make further adjustments, unplug the compressor before doing so to avoid electrical shock.Ĥ. Plug-in the compressor, and, if there is air in the tank, you can use the drain valve to release pressure (or simply attach a blowgun to your compressor and bleed off air) to observe the new cut-in pressures. Turning it counter-clockwise causes it to cut in sooner - at a lower pressure.ģ. Dialing it in causes the compressor to kick in later - at a higher pressure. In most cases, I find the cut-in pressure screw to be closest to the compressor motor.
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Before setting the cutout pressure point, you need to-first-set the cut-in pressure point. Make sure you have unplugged the air compressor, and remove the cover off the pressure switch.Ģ. Steps To Adjusting The Air Compressor Pressure Switch:ġ.