Plasic Tube Function

by L. Bauder
(PacNW)

I have a Craftsman 919152920 4Hp 25 Gallon Horizontal compressor that I am refurbishing. (New seals, orings, compression ring etc) and I have a leak under the regulator that I believe is the O-ring inside the regulator housing allowing air to escape and the knob is directing it downwards. Anyway, there is a plastic tube on the regulator and I need to know what it is and what it is for. (See attached photo. The white arrow points to the tube in question). I am thinking about replacing this tube with copper. Also, if I have to replace the regulator with an aftermarket unit, can I simply plug these tube fittings off?

Thanks very much for any info.

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Bill answers...

Hello L. Bauder.

Interesting setup...thanks for the photo. It would help more if I could have seen the other side of this item.

Though I can't identify the application for the tube for sure, I am sure it wouldn't be there if it was not needed.

I am guessing that the tube is taking the pressure setting from the regulator, and feeding it to the gage. It seems a bit bizarre to me, when the gage could simply be threaded into the side of the regulator itself, though I suspect that there is an 'interference' issue with other parts of the compressor.

Yes, you can replace it with a copper tube, of that I am sure.

When you replace the regulator, install it exactly the same way that the old one was. The manufacturer designed their system to work that way, and I don't recommend a change.

You would plug any ports in the regulator base that are not used, but do use all of the ones that are in use in the old the same way in the new.

Hope this helps...

Cheers,

Bill