Compressor shut off , gauge & manual issues.

by Randy Lea
(Omaha,Ne. USA)

I have an old electric compressor on wheels that I got from a relative on a farm. It has a guage on it that reads up to 200 p.s.i. The guage is all rusted out and no longer works. I replaced it with a 100 p.s.i. guage.

Is this o.k.? It's just a small compressor and I doubt it would get anywhere near 200 p.s.i.

My question is: What make a compressor shut off when it is full of air? Does it need to have the correct guage or a working guage at all? I don't want the thing to blow up and knock my house
down and send me into the next county! Also,I would like to find some kind of owners manual for it. The name on the side of the tank is "DODGE AIR". I can't seem to find anything on the web about this brand.
Thanks for your help.
Randy Lea





Bill answers...

Hey Randy Lea, welcome to you and all your neighbors in Omaha. I appreciate you visiting my website and taking the time to write in.

When searching for a replacement gage, here are the things to look for:

-what is the range of the pressure reading of the gage you are replacing, or the range desired
-what type of mount is it (back or bottom)
-what size is that mount (usually 1/8 or 1/4 NPT)

So, you should have replaced your gauge with one showing the same pressure range. Else, when your tank pressure gets over 100 PSI (and it will) you won't know what pressure is in the tank. Not knowing could be dangerous.

What makes a compressor shut off, and for that matter, start? It's not the gauge. It's the pressure switch. Here's lots of info on understanding compressor pressure switch issues.

As to fining the manual, you can post that you are looking for a compressor manual on this page.


Cheers,

Bill







Comments for
Compressor shut off , gauge & manual issues.

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Aug 16, 2009
 1/8" To 1/4" guage adapter
by: Randy Lea

Thanks again,Bill for your good and timely advice.
I will go back to Harbour Freight and get one tomarrow.
_______________

10-4

B.
Aug 15, 2009
 Compressor guage and brand name
by: Randy Lea

Thanks Bill for your quick and informative answers
about my old compressor. I guess I had better search for a 200 p.s.i. guage for it. It has the 1/4" fitting. All I could find at Harbour Frieght
in a 200 p.s.i. had the 1/8" fitting. Also I told you wrong on the brand name. I gave it a bath today and found that the brand name is "Badger- Air,not Dodge Air. Again,thanks for your help.

_______________

You are most welcome.

Buy the 1/8" NPT gauge and use an adapter to install it on your compressor. The gage won't care, and it will work just fine.

B.

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