HF Air pressure regulator

[Chadwick]

Anyone have one of these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36797

I put this on my HF twin tank compressor, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94734 thinking I would be able to set the pressure in the line, like on other air compressors, but it seems to register the same as the tank pressure. I should be able to increase or decrease the pressure going into my nailer for instance right? Maybe I got a malfunctioning one.

Thanks,

Chadwick

[cabinetman]

The gauge will have an "in" and an "out". First make sure that you're configured correctly. The knob should adjust the pressure on the "out" side. The more the knob is turned clockwise (to the right), the more pressure should register on the gauge. Likewise, the opposite should lower the pressure.

What may be possible is your total adjustment may be only a short rotation one way or another. On some gauges to see what the pressure is going "out" you have to create a draw of some kind, like an air blower. Try adjusting the gauge through the range and have an air hose hooked up with a blower on the end and keep bumping it and check the gauge.

It is possible that the gauge could be defective.
.

[Daryl]

I have one that I got someplace a long time ago. It is not really a regulayor, more of a valve with a gage on it. If you have a continous air flow like spraying paint it will regulate to a degree but once the flow stops the line pressure builds right up to tank pressure.

[BobSch]

I've used some of those which only set the pressure when air is flowing, under no-fow they show supply pressure. A unit like this http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=1118
uses a different type of regulator (diaphram, I think) that does a better job.

[eccentrictinkerer]

Anyone have one of these?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=36797

I put this on my HF twin tank compressor, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94734 thinking I would be able to set the pressure in the line, like on other air compressors, but it seems to register the same as the tank pressure. I should be able to increase or decrease the pressure going into my nailer for instance right? Maybe I got a malfunctioning one.

Thanks,

Chadwick

THis unit only controls flow. It won't 'regulate' pressure under any circumstances.

See BobSch's post for a pressure regulator.

This one should do the trick also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90590

[sweensdv]

I bought one of those from HF and put it on my portable air tank. I never could get it to work right and ended up trashing it.

[Daryl]

THis unit only controls flow. It won't 'regulate' pressure under any circumstances.

See BobSch's post for a pressure regulator.

This one should do the trick also.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90590

I think that is the same as the OP's in disguise.

[Pappy]

I picked up a couple on sale once. Wound up trashing them and got the better version.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=90590

The only thing I use them on is my paint guns. They are mounted to the inlet on the gun to control the flow/pressure. Since the compresser only runs at 110 psi I don't need them on other tools.

[Chadwick]

Thanks for your help guys.

Chadwick

[LCHIEN]

that's actually a control valve - use to adjust flow. If the air flow is constant AND the air supply is constant then the output will be a constant pressure. But its not a real air pressure regulator in the regular sense.

A real air pressure regulator uses a feedback element to control the pressure at a settable value regardless of whether there's zero air flow or high flow rates (within the range suppliable by the compresor max flow rate).

The one pictured usually sells for around $5. A real regulator will start around $15-25