Replacement air filter

The following question came into the ASK page on my compressor information website today.

I have a Speedaire stock # 47028a I know it’s out of production.What can I do to change the filter, if possible. If not, what would be a compareabl;e replacement?

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First off, I’m guessing he’s asking about the filter element…as opposed to the whole air filter.

Unfortunately, as air components age, the manufacturer may drop or re-engineer a product, and all of a sudden, there is no support for it nor can you get parts; in this case, a filter element for a perfectly good filter housing.

Most general purpose compressed air filters have at 25-40 Micron air filter in them.

If you are replacing a general purpose filter, it will be OK to visit your local hardware store (better if it was a local fluid power distributor) and ask them for a general purpose filter that is the same pipe size as yours. And, to prevent this issue for the foreseeable future, ask them for a couple of replacement elements for that filter too.

Typically there is pressure drop across a compressed air filter. The element, even when clean, creates a flow impediment that lowers downstream pressure.  If you are seeing an increasing pressure drop across that air filter, that’s the indication that the element is getting plugged up. When the pressure drop is negatively affecting the work, then the filter element  needs to be cleaned or changed out.

Here is more information on  NPT sizing,  and here is much for information about compressed air filters.

Run an air tool underwater?

A visitor to my compressed air website sent in a question about running an air tool underwater.

Here’s why he wanted to do that.

“In the past I have been using a Dremel to grind excess metal off of lead parts. Because of the potential health hazard of air-borne lead, I am wondering if I can instead submerse and use an air-driven die grinder in a wash basin. Should I be concerned about water leaching back into my air system? And have air tools been successfully used under water?”

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Here is my answer:

What an interesting question. I can sure see why you would want to dampen the particles from grinding lead…but then the thought occurs to me, what do you do with the lead-contaminated water when you are done?

Anyway, I don’t know of anyone that has used an air tool underwater. My immediate reaction is that it wouldn’t work.

In order for the air tool to function, air must pass through it at high speed. By having the exhaust port of the air tool underwater, I would expect that the back pressure caused by the water would prevent the tool from working properly.

And, as you point out, there would certainly be corrosion issues as water would seep into the exhaust port every time you stopped air flowing through the tool.

It were me, I’d cobble up a fume hood with an exhaust fan, clear plastic between me and the grinder, and I’d wear a proper mask.

Good luck.

Bill

Compressed Air Driven Pressure Washer?

Hi, we have old air compressor and it still working, I want to use the compressor to output air and water to clean my motorcycle, is that possible? Do I need a drum to store water?

Bill answers…

Howdy…

If  I understand you correctly, you are trying to emulate or build your own pressure washer. Is that correct?

A pressure washer uses a pump system, high pressure hoses, and often a reservoir through  which detergent and cleaning chemicals can be introduced to the pressurized wash water flow.

If you are trying to accomplish this with compressed air, the answer is yes, it is possible. However, what you spend on “cobbling up” your compressed air driven pressure washer may be more than the cost of buying a purpose built washer.

You would have to plumb compressed air from your compressor into a PRESSURE VESSEL that contains the water / detergent mixture. A fitting from the bottom of the tank (compressed air would be introduced through a fitting on the top)would allow the water / detergent to flow from the tank, through a PRESSURE HOSE, to the spray outlet with which you would wash your motorcycle.

The rate of flow of water and the pressure of the spray would be predicated on the pressure of the compressed air in the PRESSURE VESSEL, and the ability of your compressor to continue to supply sufficient compressed air, and the nozzle through which the water flowed.

I capitalized PRESSURE VESSEL and PRESSURE HOSE because I want to make very clear that you need to purchase a tank and hose that is rated for the pressure you expect to pump into it from your compressor. Failure to use the appropriately rated equipment could result in catastrophic failure of a component with injury or death the result.

While your concept has merit, if I wanted to use an electro-mechanical system to clean my motorcycle, I would use a pressure washer.

Or, a rag in a bucket of hot, soapy water. 

Cheers,

Bill

Notes from the underground…

Not a lot to do with compressed air, but a lot to do with air sustainability.

A friend, and a strong proponent for sustainable lifestyles for decades, is putting his money where his mouth is and building an underground dwelling. And he’s not spending a fortune doing so.

Here’s the story. I think it’s well worthwhile reading.

Speedaire compressor needs new motor

i have this compressor but no motor.  what kind of motor do i need what size. and it compressor hasnt been used for years. but it works what can i do do tune it up?

Bill answers…

Hi Alex:

In theory, you can use any electric motor that has the same HP, same voltage, same mounting configuration, same shaft size, and if the old motor was a TEFC (totally enclosed fan cooled motor), that style too.

The reality is that identifying a compatible motor might be beyond the ability of folks that only do this sort of thing once or twice a lifetime.

So, may I suggest you visit the Speedaire page on this site, and follow the guidelines to contacting your local branch. They will be able to help you. Just go back to the home page and follow the link to the Speedaire page from the nav bar.

Regarding the ‘tune up’, if it hasn’t a motor, how do you know it works?

In any case, if it is a lubricated model, I would change the oil. Other than that, you need to get a motor on it and get it to run up to cut-out pressure so you can see if any other issues surface.

Cheers,

Bill

Calculating compressed air costs in a plant

Actually we ruuning big operation  3 compressed with each 800cfm.In the production we have alot af machine that using 6 bar ( 87psi) each .I want to know how to calculate the cost of each machine using 6 bar.How to calculate the 6 bar useage to dollar.

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Bill answers…

Hi Karthik:

In order to find out how much your compressed air is costing you, first you need to audit each compressed air using piece of equipment, then convert that compressed air consumption into dollars.

This is time consuming, for sure.

If your machinery is using air cylinders, then you can  get air consumption info here.

If your equipment is using other than air cylinders, you’ll need to contact the suppliers of that equipment to find out the air consumption.

As to converting compressed air into dollar cost,  here is information on that.

Doing a complete air audit is complex and time consuming. If you do one though, you will be amazed at just how much compressed air costs, and this will motivate you to take steps to conserve this expensive energy source.

Cheers,

Bill

Got questions about your home compressor?

I get tons of questions from readers of my compressed air information website about-air-compressors.com.

Many folks have a hard time understanding CFM, SCFM, PSI, NPT and how all these things relate in helping to determine the best home compressor for them, and once they have the compressor, how best to use it.

Rather than search the 300+ pages on the website, you can grab a quick download of an ebook that is written to provide answers to all of the common, and some of the uncommon, questions home compressor users might have. Here is where to get it.

Unloader /switch . Speedaire 1HP compressor

Mod# 3Z406h 1
Ser# 1207881-040551

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Bill responds…

Hello Barry:

I take it that you are looking for a new pressure switch for your Speedaire compressor?

That being the case, please visit the Speedaire Parts Information Page and follow the guides to locating your local supplier of Speedaire compressor parts.

Cheers,

Bill

I am a dental student….

I am a dental student trying to set up my instruments at home. All I need is a small compressor, instruments, etc. to practice on the manikin. According to previous comments I hope I can use a cheap compressor as compared to an expensive dental compressor. My question is that do all the compressors (dental or generic) have the same air connectors? The compressor has got a NITTO style connector. I don’t know whether it will fit into my dental unit. Please help. If possible please send an email on drdev413@gmail.com

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Bill answers…

All couplers and connectors are NOT alike. Nitto is a brand, and though I have not used them, I suspect that they are proprietary, meaning that only a Nitto connector will fit into a Nitto coupler.

That being the case, and if you cannot locate a source for Nitto connectors and couplers, then simply visit your local hardware store and stock up on connectors and couplers that are compatible with each other,  that have the same NPT or metric size of thread as on your compressor, and are available where you are. Then replace the Nitto couplers and connectors with the new, readily available type.

Folks get confused about thread sizes. Here is information about relating NPT to actual thread sizes.

Bill