Keeping Pressure

by Paul
(Raleigh, NC)

When I turn my air compressor on, it fills up to maybe 140-150 psi. I set the outgoing pressure at 85 psi.

I do not hear any leaks or have any problems.

My first shot with the nailer comes out like it should at 85 psi.

The second comes out a little lighter, maybe 82 psi.

After about 5 shots it has dropped to 60 psi and the nail will not go in all the way.

It hasn't always done this.

When I first got it and did the same thing, the shots would stay at a constant 85 psi and the tank would slowly drop down to 90 psi or so and start to refill.

Now, the tank does not refill because the pressure that I've set it at has dropped with each shot. I do not recall doing anything to cause it to act different.

Is there something I can do to fix it?

_________________
Bill says...

OK, first off, what is the cut in pressure level or your air compressor, Paul?

If the pressure in the tank has dropped to 60 PSI after five shots of the nail gun, your air compressor should have started, as with a cut out of 140 PSI, I surmise that your cut in would be in the 80-90 PSI range. Why isn't your air compressor starting? Let the air compressor fill to max, open the drain valve just a bit, and watch the tank pressure gauge. Might consider giving your pressure switch a look at if the pressure drops past the normal cut in pressure during this test.

Next, you have set your air regulator to 85 PSI, right? You fire one shot, and the gauge on the pressure regulator drops? That suggests that the air pressure coming out of the tank is at the new pressure, or your regulator has pooched.

Another thing to check too.... pull the plug, dump the air, and exchange the air gauges to be sure that they are working and giving you good info.

Post an update here when you wish, and we'll pursue this air compressor problem further with you, if necessary.

Cheers,

Bill