I need to know what component or components I need to purchase to make an Speedaire model # 1WD40 25 HP compressor

by John Bailey
(Richmond,VA.)

My customer wants us to install what they call a cold start valve and I have looked into this and cannot determine what they are talking about.

Their response is that they want to be able to start the compressor in cold weather conditions when it has been sitting for extended periods of time and they say that a conventional starter will go on and off when it starts.

I imagine that they are referring to something to do with the pressure regulator and that the pressure is different when it starts cold. i am at a loss and have never had this question asked of me although I have been involved in several compressor sales and/or installations.

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Bill says...

Hi John. Google "what is a cold start valve" and you will have about 700,000 responses in short order.

Paraphrasing from one of the sites I found doing that... (the URL of the page is below)

"The cold start valve is an important part of the engine's starting system. It's proper operation, along with the associated electrical controls, substantially shortens the period that the engine takes to start. Not starting quickly is only one of the problems that can occur when the cold start valve is not functioning properly.

The functional parts of the cold start valve are a fuel filter, fuel outlet port, fuel flow valve and a electrically operated valve actuator. The electrically operated valve actuator is nothing more than a solenoid that, when energized, forces a pin out from the body of the solenoid. There is a spring that draws the pin back into the solenoid body when not energized.


The fuel flow valve is a simple device with a brass seat and "needle". The needle is held against the seat, preventing the flow of fuel, by a spring.

The fuel outlet port consists of a small block of aluminum with two brass "jets" in it. The shape of the jets cause fuel passing through the them to be partially atomized. The fuel is sprayed directly into the intake manifold.

When the solenoid is energized the pin in the solenoid is forced out and lifts the spring loaded valve needle off its seat. In this condition, the valve is opened and pressurized fuel flows through the valve and then through the two small holes in the outlet.

There are three connections to the cold start valve assembly. A fuel line, an air line, and an electrical wire. The wire provides the electrical signal to the solenoid and the fuel line supplies pressurized fuel to the fuel flow valve. The air line is connected to the injection pump's auxiliary air controller. Other than providing a convenient place to connect the air line to the intake manifold, the air line is in no way related to the operation of the cold start valve."

More on this here:

http://www.300se.org/Service/ColdStartSystem/ServiceColdStartValve.htm

Cheers,

Bill