Compressor Info Needed

[Kirk]

I need to get a bigger compressor (I think). I realize that what makers advertise as "working pressure" isn't really accurate. In other words, 115 PSI at the tank doesn't give you 115 PSI at the tool or hose end. I need to have a minimum of 115 PSI at the hose end. What "working pressure" size compressor do I need? Tank size is not important, in fact, the smaller the better frankly. It's only for home use for high pressure bicycle tires. I've got a 2 gal. (I think) belly compressor that SAYS it has a "working pressure" of 115 PSI....but it doesn't. It gets to 115 AT THE TANK, when it will then shut off, but I believe about 90 PSI is all I can get at the hose end with that. I've heard you can get in there and "jury rig" the settings but I don't know how to do that plus I don't even know if I could get it high enough. So what should I do?? Should I try to "jury rig" mine and if so, how to you do it?? Or, should I get a more powerful compressor and if so, what "working pressure" should I get to be sure I have at least 115 PSI at the hose??

 

[94 lngbd]

most compressors regardless of size or hp rating shuts off around 115-125 , its a safety issue ,but the system can be altered to make it shut of at a higher psi. Ive heard & seen it done ,but I don't actually recall whats needed to do it.

It may just be a turn of a screw to raise the PSI

 

[adsm08]

What are you doing that you need 115 PSI minimum?

Most air tools are only rated to 90 PSI working pressure.

 

[RangerSVT]

Like ADSM08 Stated, most tools have an operating pressure of 90 psi. If that is not enough to run your tools, then you don't need more pressure, you need more volume. Your hose diameter is too small, and will need to increase...
SVT

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, I just re-read the whole first post. 2 gallons isn't close to what you need.

My dad has a 10 gallon tank. I'll run that thing dry and not have 2 wheel off yet. You don't need more pressure, you need more volume. My grandpa has an 80 gallon unit that was taken out of an old garage. That barely meets my air needs when I'm working at his house.

 

[doorgunner]

HOME USE FOR BICYCLE TIRES



I removed the cover to the electrically activated pressure cut-off switch/relay on my unit. There will be an adjusting screw near the solenoid that will raise or lower the maximum pressure. If there is no screw, then there will be a small metal "arm" with a spring attached to it--by adjusting the arm, the spring can be tightened to cause the cut-off solenoid to allow more pressure to be built up. But...it would be safer to buy a compressor with 150+ psi...


THE PRECEDING WAS FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY...DON'T GO ELECTROCUTE YOURSELF....OR BLOW YOURSELF UP TO GET A FEW MORE PSI OUT OF YOUR COMPRESSOR!!!!

 

[RangerSVT]

I need to get a bigger compressor (I think). I realize that what makers advertise as "working pressure" isn't really accurate. In other words, 115 PSI at the tank doesn't give you 115 PSI at the tool or hose end. I need to have a minimum of 115 PSI at the hose end. What "working pressure" size compressor do I need? Tank size is not important, in fact, the smaller the better frankly. It's only for home use for high pressure bicycle tires. I've got a 2 gal. (I think) belly compressor that SAYS it has a "working pressure" of 115 PSI....but it doesn't. It gets to 115 AT THE TANK, when it will then shut off, but I believe about 90 PSI is all I can get at the hose end with that. I've heard you can get in there and "jury rig" the settings but I don't know how to do that plus I don't even know if I could get it high enough. So what should I do?? Should I try to "jury rig" mine and if so, how to you do it?? Or, should I get a more powerful compressor and if so, what "working pressure" should I get to be sure I have at least 115 PSI at the hose??

I missed that too, I had to go back and re-read it as well. But Tank size is VERY important, as is the CFM of the compressor. If you want a decent compressor, look at the 220V ones, usually they are adequate for the home garage use for automotive work...
SVT

 

[adsm08]

HOME USE FOR BICYCLE TIRES

Then he doesn't need 115 PSI. Bike tires tend to explode around 35 to 40, if they last that long.

 

[Kirk]

Then he doesn't need 115 PSI. Bike tires tend to explode around 35 to 40, if they last that long.

"high pressure bicycle tires" There are bicycle tires that inflate to 120 PSI or more.

 

[4x4junkie]

I don't see tank size being important at all just for inflating bicycle tires (road bike tires hold what maybe 0.5 cu-ft of air at 110 PSI? ). Theoretically you shouldn't really even need a tank at all period for that.

To me it sounds like there's a restriction in the hose, or the pressure regulator is set to a lower pressure than the tank. Otherwise, no matter what the size of the hose is, the pressure in the tire would eventually equal that of the tank if you were to hold it on there long enough (which shouldn't need to be more than a few seconds).

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Make dam sure your tank is rated for a higher pressure before you go goofing around with the regulator, should be stamped into it or on a tag.

 

[Will]

Those tiny air compressors are shit. Don't think about what the numbers on them say--think about what they are intended for. Those little cigar-lighter powered things often say 250psi on them. We tried to inflate the tire on my bobcat with one, and it only holds 50psi maybe, and the thing died of exhaustion.

I have a 7hp air compressor with a 60-gallon tank for a reason. I use compressed air a lot. Nothing worse than dealing with a pissant little compressor.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I don't see tank size being important at all just for inflating bicycle tires (road bike tires hold what maybe 0.5 cu-ft of air at 110 PSI? ). Theoretically you shouldn't really even need a tank at all period for that.

To me it sounds like there's a restriction in the hose, or the pressure regulator is set to a lower pressure than the tank. Otherwise, no matter what the size of the hose is, the pressure in the tire would eventually equal that of the tank if you were to hold it on there long enough (which shouldn't need to be more than a few seconds).

Agreed.
Usually volume is the limiting factor in what most of us use compressors for. In this case I don't think that has much bearing. I would look at the shraeder valve connector, sometimes that's a bitch to get connected properly.
Good luck,

Richard

 

[martin]

I think your easiest solution is to inflate them to the ninety or so pounds that your compressor will do and then finish them off with a hand pump. Many of the smaller and cheaper compressors do not have adjustable pressure switches.

 

[RangerSVT]

Ok, re-reading the OP for the third time ( ), your current compressor should be good for just bicycle tires, which is your intended use. I would check the regulator, as I suspect this is your problem. I have 2 black max air compressors that the regulator has failed on both of them (I didn't buy them, family did and gave them to me when they wouldn't work anymore). You can bypass the regulator to get the tank pressure at the hose end, which is what I did on both the black max's I had...
SVT