Please could you help me with adding the components to a compressor.
by James
F/R - L Combo Unit
I've seen this product: Bill answers... Hello James: What the URL you sent me shows (now shown in the picture) is a combination F/R-L. The F/R denotes a combination filter and regulator in one housing, and the -L denotes a lubricator as in-line and added on. The photo also shows two reducing bushings and an air gauge on the right of the F/R-L as well. I would suggest that this size of F/R-L is overkill for a typical DIY home compressor. However, in the absence of a miniature unit, or even knowing how big James' compressor is, it might do. Do you even need the lubricator? Depends on where the compressed air is being used. If the air line to an air tool is long, 25' + in length, lubricant leaving the lubricator will take a long time to reach the tool, if it ever does. Lubricator oil will likely pool in the air line and then arrive at the tool as a "slug" of oil, bleeding out the exhaust port and making a mess. How to install this unit? Most (all?) home compressors come with a coupler attached to the discharge line from the compressor. You would normally plug a connector from an air line into the coupler to get air flowing through the air line to the tool. The coupler has a female thread in these instances. You would remove the coupler (after making sure the cord is pulled and the reservoir is empty) which would leave you with a male thread end, perhaps on a nipple. That male thread end would thread into the threaded port on the left side of the F/R in the photo, assuming you've got room to rotate the unit to thread it on. Use some sealant and if you use Teflon tape, make sure you don't overlap the hole as the tape will eventually flutter loose and end up somewhere you don't want it to. I normally use a semi-liquid multi-purpose thread sealant which helps prevent tape contamination from occurring. Also, make sure that you plumb the F/R first, before the L. If you reverse the order, you will lose oil, destroy a filter element, and possibly damage the regulator. If the F/R cannot be rotated around the end male thread due to space issues, that male discharge thread can be lengthened by adding a bushing and a nipple. Or, simply run an air line to where you want to use the compressed air, and install the F/R-L there. It's more use closer to the application anyway. Hope this helps. If you need more clarification, just write. Cheers, Bill
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