General | Air Compressor Pressure Switch

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

Know Your Train Horn Components

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Here are basic parts of the train horn package.

Air Tank

Air tank cylinders come in different sizes. The most common sizes for personal truck installations are between 1 -5 gallons. These are simple structures that accept and hold the pressure that the compressor gives. It contains any numb3er of air hose ports. An air gauge is often attached to the tank.

Compressor

A compressor is an air pump that when activated fills the tank with compressed air. Compressor capacities are generally matched to the size tank. First fills may take several minutes, depending on the size of the tank. Re-fills are much quicker. It is governed by a pressure switch which tells it when to re-fill and to what pressure. A train horn kit may have one compressor or two working in tandem. Air compressors are used to fill other devices, such as tires or an air suspension.

New buyers sometimes get hung up on pressure readings. If one compressor is said to fill a tank up to 150 psi, and another 120psi, one would think the 150 psi would be the natural pick. This is misleading for three reasons. First, the sound difference between the two may hardly be noticeable. Second, a chronically high pressure may tax the compressor if the user is overly "horn happy." Over-use equals overheating which may cause a premature failure. Third, a train horn tone should be of high undistorted quality. We frequently find a practical sweet spot in the 110-125 PSI range.

Decibel readings are sometimes given as well. Again, to adequately compare across brands, the reading must be taken with the same instrument, properly calibrated and at the same distance from the horn. This is rarely the case so keep these specifications in perspective.

The Air Horn

Train horns run the gamut of sizes and shapes. Separate trumpets are slim and can be up to two feet long. In an attached array, there are two trumpet horns, three trumpet horns and even four trumpet horns. It’s generally believed that you need three or more trumpets ("chimes") in the array to product as authentic train horn tone. Each trumpet sounds a different note. It’s the combination of these notes that produce the distinction "blat" that immediately says "train horn."

The better train horns are made of metal. Plastic horns are OK in low priced value kits but they are not considered the "real deal" by most train horn enthusiasts. Steel, zinc, brass and copper are common metals. Horns are either chrome or gold plated or painted black.

Horns are activated by a solenoid air valve. Horns (and compressors) are energized by a 12 volt source. The horn can be activated by your regular horn button or you can install a separate horn switch. It’s all in the installation.

These are the basic components of any kit. You should receive enough air hose, fittings and hook-up wire to do the job. Don’t be shy about having a pro do the job. Shops that specialize in aftermarket installations of sound systems and alarms would be an appropriate choice. Whichever you choose, get ready for train horn nirvana!

Mail this post

Technorati Tags: keywords

Tags: keywords
Posted in General | No Comments »

Air Compressor Pump And Things To Know

Saturday, November 28th, 2009

You can seriously hurt someone with a Pneumatic Nailer and I would not hesitate to defend my home with one if it came down to it. If you think about it though, it is just air, compressed air. Amazing that air, coupled with a nail and a pump, can be such a powerful force. This all comes about with the use of an air compressor.

Air compressors come in many shapes, sizes and abilities. The most important factor in choosing an air compressor is to determine the maximum CFM the tools that you are using require. CFM requirements are tool specific, for example, a paint sprayer or framing nailer will require a much higher CFM than a brad gun or a trim nailer. An air compressor with a larger tank will typically have a higher CFM because basically there is more air available for the tool to use. More specifically, the CFM output is related to the pump size.

It is recommended that you purchase an air compressor with a CFM capacity of 25% greater than what you will need. The durability of the air compressor is directly related to how long the pump has to run to keep your pneumatic tool working. If you use an undersized air compressor for the type of tool that you have and the work that you are doing, you will reduce the life of the air compressor pump.

Here are a few things to consider before you purchase an air compressor:

Oil-free versus oil lubricated – The oil lubricated air compressors need to be serviced regularly. They are more durable because of this regular servicing and perform better in a non-climate controlled environments such as a garage or when used outdoors in cold weather.
Noise – Another difference between air compressors is the higher the rpm on the motor, typically, the noisier the compressor will be. Makita makes an air compressor that runs on a slower speed motor. They are the quietest air compressor available and have a capacity of 4.2CFMs. Noise quickly becomes important when you are listening to the pump turn on intermittently in your house.
Rating CFM output – This difference is due to the location of the Rating Facility. An air compressor that is CFM rated at sea level will not have the same output if you take it up to say, Breckenridge, Colorado at 9,000 feet above sea level.
Cooling capacity – Makita brand air compressors use cooling fins. These aluminum cooling fins wrap around the copper tube that connects the pump to the tank. The aluminum conducts the heat to the increased surface area that these fins provide, thus keeping your air compressor cooler and increasing its lifespan.
Air Intake Filters – All air compressors have an intake air filter that must be kept clean or it will reduce the capacity of your pump. The air filters need to be changed regularly depending upon how often you use your air compressor. Follow the instructions on your specific brand to see how often the air filter needs to be changed on your compressor.

Here is a convenient chart of some common air tools and their CFM requirements.

As with all power tools, read the manual (yes, read it) for proper maintenance procedures to keep your tools running at their peak performance!

Mail this post

Technorati Tags: air compressor pressure switch, air compressor pump, gas air compressor

Tags: air compressor pressure switch, air compressor pump, gas air compressor
Posted in General | No Comments »

Husky Air Compressor

Tuesday, November 24th, 2009

When you need an air compressor, sometimes it may be difficult to choose which brand you should get due to the many different brands that are on the market today. A popular and trusted model of air compressors is the Husky Air Compressor. This compressor is manufactured by Campbell Hausfeld, which has built their reputation on the products that they sell. The compressors that they make available are mainly used for such applications as workshops or jobs done at the home. You can use various tools with these compressors. These tools include tire inflators, spray guns, power sanders, grinders, wrenches, and hammers.

There are basically two types of the Husky Air Compressor. These two types include the vertical model and the horizontal model. The horizontal models are much smaller than the vertical ones but often make larger footprints in the jobs that they do. The Husky vertical models are units that are usually stationary while the horizontal models are much easier to move from one location to the next even though they may be bigger. These models are differentiated by the power that they give. The horizontal models will give less air per minute than that of the vertical models.

These factors should be considered when you are in the market to purchase a Husky Air Compressor. The Husky 80 gallon vertical model that you will find can give 72..2/25.5 SCFM. This means the power that it can give per standard cubic feet per minute. The Husky eight gallon model that is horizontal will only give 0/2.6 SCFM. However, when it comes to air compressors, more power may not be what is needed for the job which makes these lower powered units very viable. Depending on what the air compressor is going to be used for will depend on the power that is needed.

Among all the Husky Air Compressor units that are available, you will find the FP2020, FP2045, FP2021, FP2205, FP2019, and the FP2047. These models range from pancake air compressors to oiless tank mounted models to oiless handheld portable models. A popular model that is on the market today is the Husky H1506FWH. This is a portable air compressor that is very affordable. It will cost the consumer around $182.50. Many people invest in this type of air compressor not only for the power that it gives, but its mobility and affordability. Husky will be there for when you need to get the job done.

Mail this post

Technorati Tags: air compressor pressure switch, gas air compressor, husky air compressor

Tags: air compressor pressure switch, gas air compressor, husky air compressor
Posted in General | No Comments »

Gas Air Compressor

Wednesday, November 11th, 2009

This makes them a popular choice on construction sites and for mobile service trucks. Gas air compressors provide the same convenience in terms of air compressor tools.

Truck air compressors are the most popular, being mounted on the back of the truck. Many mobile tire services use compressors on the back of their trucks.

Mini air compressors and the vertical one are two different styles of gas air compressors. The purchase of a gas one is something that should not be done without consideration of several important things.

A gas compressor can get very hot while it is operating because of the heat of the engine. The increased pressure also raises the temperature of the compressor pump. Gas air compressors also generate an incredible amount of noise.

For this reason, it is good to have your compressors sitting well away from the area you are working in. Moisture can build up in your air lines because of the heat generated by the pump and may cause problems with many air tools that cannot tolerate moisture.

You may want to equip your gas one with a dryer to eliminate this problem. If using the compressor in a dirty environment, then you may also want to be sure that the compressor you purchase has a filter installed. Air coolers are also available to eliminate problems caused by temperature changes.

Do not confuse natural gas air compressors with gas compressors. Gas air compressors allow you to use your pneumatic tools because they provide a steady supply of high pressure air. They are handy because you can use them to conserve energy and as a backup in case of a blackout.

They are common on mobile service trucks, with wood workers who travel, and with mobile paint booths. There are many different sizes, but unless heavy use is required, most companies will opt for one small unit to mount on a truck, leaving room for other tools and equipment.

Evaluating the intended application of the compressor is important before purchasing gas compressors. Also, it is important to determine what the compressor will cost over its life.

Included in these figures should be the retail cost of the compressor, the efficiency of the gas air compressor, how much it will cost to install, and what it will cost to maintain it. Any manufacturer will tell you that most compressors have an expected life of ten years, give or take.

Mail this post

Technorati Tags: air compressor pressure switch, gas air compressor, husky air compressor

Tags: air compressor pressure switch, gas air compressor, husky air compressor
Posted in General | 1 Comment »

Air Compressor Pressure Switch

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Piping air into regulators and on to the production apparatus at the correct flow at the correct pressure has always been a standard operating procedure that is controlled by the air compressor pressure switch. But many times there is a pressure drop or unplanned backpressure that can compromise the airflow. In the important world of manufacturing and mechanics, nothing can be worse.

In a garage type setting, an air compressor pressure switch can mean the difference between finishing a job on time and also paying employees to stand around waiting on the necessary switch to be delivered or worse, ordered the switch then having it delivered.

Because there are so many different types of air compressors, electrically driven, rotary screw, reciprocating and natural gas, a dependable air compressor pressure switch is key to the delivered service. An unloader valve that senses line pressure and provides a control signal to system valves is a feature to make sure your air compressor pressure switch is equipped with.

When considering an air compressor switch look at these different suggestions before purchasing; operating pressure range, type of fluid: gas or liquid, sensor mechanism for the pressure switch and the operating temperature. A disconnect metal lever is also recommended in manually turning off the compressor. Other features to look for are a no drift pressure setting, corrosion proof covers and a pulsation dampener. Always choose a reputable manufacturer for a solid, guaranteed product.

Gaseous media and air deserves all of the precautions available. Boiler market approved with different IP grades of enclosure mark a good switch. Single-pole changeover (SPDT) that can control single-phase motors up to 2 KW direct will help provide robust pressure. An air compressor pressure switch needs to be reliable under different environmental conditions and be shock and impact resistant.

Selecting the best air compressor pressure switch that may cost a little more than most can keep you worry free from irregular pressure and other problems.

There are many brand name switches on the market today and the Internet is a great source for comparing prices, shipping and reading reviews. Depending on whether your unit is to be used in a commercial or residential setting gives you a big selection on different sized compressors. 2 to 600 horsepower and single or two-stage recips are some of the options you will be faced with.