Pressure regulator failing???

   / Pressure regulator failing??? #1  

meb9796

Silver Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2008
Messages
122
Location
VA
Tractor
JD 3720
I have an 80 gal CH air compressor with two lines connected to it. One line is connected to an oiler, filter, and pressure regulator, for running tools, etc. The second line is connected to a filter, desiccant, and a pressure regulator, for sand blasting. Three weeks ago, I connected the sand blasting line to the tank and I heard air coming out of the top of the pressure regulator for this line. I adjusted the regulator fully closed and then fully open and the air leak would not stop. I took it apart, but finally went to home depot and got a cheap replacement. It did the same thing when I connected it. I finally got a good one from CH, and it will only work at 100psi or more. If I adjust it lower than that, air will start to leak out the top again.

The only thing I can figure is that this started after the weather started getting cold (below 30). But my other regulator is over 3 years old and still going strong. Anyone got any ideas??

Thanks!
 
   / Pressure regulator failing??? #2  
It may be that the desiccant has deteriorated and started fouling the regulator.
I've seen this issue on an industrial scale. The desiccant deteriorated and migrated down line causing severe issues with regulators, valves, etc.
 
   / Pressure regulator failing??? #3  
it will only work at 100psi or more. If I adjust it lower than that, air will start to leak out the top again.

Is it safe to assume that you do know that when you turn the regulator down, it bleeds off the excess air? But that stops pretty quickly. I've never had one fail because of cold weather so perhaps firedog is right.
 
   / Pressure regulator failing???
  • Thread Starter
#4  
Usually when I adjust a regulator to a lower setting, I'll let air out of the hose while I adjust the regulator. If I don't do that I've never had air come out of the regulator itself?? But I closed the first and second regulator all the way and opened them all the way and it continued to lose air. I even cut power to the compressor and the regulator didn't quit loosing air until the compressor gauge got below 80psi (approximate).

I'm off work starting tomorrow, so I'll run some more test, and see what happens.
 
   / Pressure regulator failing??? #5  
I've had to take apart my regulator several times to clean it. When it's cold out it likes to leak a little. It's an older American made one so I would rather keep it going than replace it. The name plate is long gone so I don't even know where to get parts if needed.
 
   / Pressure regulator failing??? #6  
I can understand an old one failing, but 2 new ones ?
 
   / Pressure regulator failing??? #7  
Usually when I adjust a regulator to a lower setting, I'll let air out of the hose while I adjust the regulator. If I don't do that I've never had air come out of the regulator itself??

I usually bleed off air through the hose myself, but if I don't, as I adjust the regulator, air blows out the bottom of the regulator until the pressure comes down, then it stops. (And since I've not had occasion to turn the pressure down for a few months, I just now went out and turned it down and then back up just to be sure I was remembering right.:laughing: And I was.) I suppose some regulators may be different. I'm currently using a 30 gallon 120 volt Industrial Air compressor by Coleman Powermate that I bought a bit over 5 years ago from Nothern Tool. But if I remember right the separate regulator I put on my 60 gallon 230 volt Puma several years ago worked the same way.

I've had to take apart my regulator several times to clean it.

So far, in the 5 years plus with my current compressor, I have not had to do that, but I did have to do it a couple of times when I had the 60 gallon compressor. But so far, never had any leaks attributed to cold or heat.
 
   / Pressure regulator failing???
  • Thread Starter
#8  
yeh.............:confused3: i was showing a friend of mine around my garage and mentioned the regulator problem I was having and after looking at it for 10 seconds he goes "you have the regulator in backwards" ... :ashamed::rolleyes::shocked::mur: I just handed him my phone and told him to call the guys at work to get it over with..... that is what I get for buying a different brand regulator than the filter I already had. I did dig the original regulator out of the trash and confirmed that it was on properly (duh..it was working for over a year) so I guess it just went bad. Oh well, lesson learned, and I appreciate all the help. :thumbsup:
 

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