air compressor problem - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zork · 10-09-2003, 10:03 PM

I need some advice I have a 5hp single stage 60gal up right that was made in 82. The motor is junk pumps oil into tank. The tank is in nice shape.
I just bought a used 5hp dual stage 60 gal lay down type.The thing runs good but the tank is cracked down by the leg supports.
Someone tried to weld it unsucessfully.
Should I try to weld it again?
Should I just rig it to my stand up tank?
Both tanks were made by Buckeye Boiler co. Dayton Oh.
Tags on tanks wp200 temp450 heads140 shell154
wp150 temp450 heads104 shell115

Thanks Zork

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-10-2003, 06:48 AM

I would not attempt to weld the tank, especially since the crack is down low where corrosion is very likely.

Jim

VTKidder · 10-10-2003, 07:17 AM

I second that.

For my $$, I'd poke around and look for another motor, maybe ebay (not harbor freight

). They're pretty much a universal type motor with a couple different variations.

If you're unsuccessful, might wanna look into a new compressor. I would trust a welded tank about as far as I could throw it.

**truckster** · 10-10-2003, 09:16 AM

I would never trust a rewelded tank. You're playing with your life there.

You can mount the good compressor on the good tank.

Something else to consider- if there's oil in the tank, it's the compressor head, not the motor. You can rebuild a compressor a lot easier than you can rebuild a small block. Your local compressor supply house should have the parts or be able to get them.

jef5150 · 10-10-2003, 09:38 AM

ZORK-----wow,connelsville,Pa,small f'n world.my mom grew up there till she got married to my dad,he grew up in uniontown,his dad was a doctor in uniontown,,,,,oh ya, id dump the tank,who knows there might be more stress cracks you cant see,. ........jeff

hgs_notes · 10-10-2003, 10:16 AM

I'm a National Board commissioned Boiler and Pressure Vessel inspector. I just spent the last three years as a third party ASME inspector at the Coleman-Powermate air compressor plant. I now work as an inspector for the state of Minnesota.

Trash the cracked tank. Horizontal tanks typically rust all along the bottom and eventually fail. If its cracked now, it's total junk. The 1982 tank may be alright. If you lay the tank on it's side and remove the drain plug, use a mirror and flashlight to look around the bottom end. If it looks pretty clean and rust free, it should last for years. If it's corroding at all, I'd probably junk it. They are usually only .096" to begin with.

What I see quite often is somebody running the compressor discharge line from a compressor on a bad tank to another tank sitting along side it. Most people don't want to waste that much space. The easiest and cheapest fix would be to cut the compressor/moter base from the horizontal tank and weld it right to the top of your verticle tank. Just don't weld to the tank itself. The problem here is that the larger pump and moter of the two stage may me bore than the verticle tanks base can handle, which would cause cracking where the base meets the tank or on the feet.

Overall, your probably best off buying a new compressor. A two stage is great, but usually way more than a regular garage needs. You can buy compressor pumps through harbor freight also.

Good luck, and don't risk yourself, your garage buddies, your neighbors and family for a few dollars.

Mike

hgs_notes · 10-10-2003, 10:21 AM

One more thing, I'm assuming the 200 psi tank is the horizontal and the 150 psi is the verticle. If you use the two stage pump on the 150 psi tank, it will likely overpressure it. It won't blow up or anything, but the relief valve will lift and your two stage pump may run until it locks up tight. Not recommended.

lux hauler · 10-10-2003, 10:50 AM

My compressor (that I got a little over a year ago) has a Buckeye sticker on the front of it. I got the compressor from Eaton Compressor & Fabrication. They're located just outside of Dayton. If there are parts that you need, you might try contacting them. They might have the parts or info that you need.

oldsub86 · 10-10-2003, 11:38 AM

"If you use the two stage pump on the 150 psi tank, it will likely overpressure it. It won't blow up or anything, but the relief valve will lift and your two stage pump may run until it locks up tight. Not recommended."

Just change the cutout pressure so it doesn't pump up so much. I lowered mine to 125# as I don't think I need greater pressure and it doesn't make my compressor work quite so hard.

zork · 10-10-2003, 03:35 PM

Thanks for the input. I am trashing the bad tank. Going to use switch from 150 tank that way I will not over pressure the tank and the 5hp dual stage will not work as hard.
Thanks again Zork

10-09-2003, 10:03 PM	#1
zork Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Connellsville , Pa Posts: 40	air compressor problem I need some advice I have a 5hp single stage 60gal up right that was made in 82. The motor is junk pumps oil into tank. The tank is in nice shape. I just bought a used 5hp dual stage 60 gal lay down type.The thing runs good but the tank is cracked down by the leg supports. Someone tried to weld it unsucessfully. Should I try to weld it again? Should I just rig it to my stand up tank? Both tanks were made by Buckeye Boiler co. Dayton Oh. Tags on tanks wp200 temp450 heads140 shell154 wp150 temp450 heads104 shell115 Thanks Zork

10-10-2003, 09:16 AM	#4
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 8,027	I would never trust a rewelded tank. You're playing with your life there. You can mount the good compressor on the good tank. Something else to consider- if there's oil in the tank, it's the compressor head, not the motor. You can rebuild a compressor a lot easier than you can rebuild a small block. Your local compressor supply house should have the parts or be able to get them. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

10-10-2003, 10:16 AM	#6
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	I'm a National Board commissioned Boiler and Pressure Vessel inspector. I just spent the last three years as a third party ASME inspector at the Coleman-Powermate air compressor plant. I now work as an inspector for the state of Minnesota. Trash the cracked tank. Horizontal tanks typically rust all along the bottom and eventually fail. If its cracked now, it's total junk. The 1982 tank may be alright. If you lay the tank on it's side and remove the drain plug, use a mirror and flashlight to look around the bottom end. If it looks pretty clean and rust free, it should last for years. If it's corroding at all, I'd probably junk it. They are usually only .096" to begin with. What I see quite often is somebody running the compressor discharge line from a compressor on a bad tank to another tank sitting along side it. Most people don't want to waste that much space. The easiest and cheapest fix would be to cut the compressor/moter base from the horizontal tank and weld it right to the top of your verticle tank. Just don't weld to the tank itself. The problem here is that the larger pump and moter of the two stage may me bore than the verticle tanks base can handle, which would cause cracking where the base meets the tank or on the feet. Overall, your probably best off buying a new compressor. A two stage is great, but usually way more than a regular garage needs. You can buy compressor pumps through harbor freight also. Good luck, and don't risk yourself, your garage buddies, your neighbors and family for a few dollars. Mike __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

10-10-2003, 10:21 AM	#7
hgs_notes GEARHEAD Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: MN Posts: 6,126	One more thing, I'm assuming the 200 psi tank is the horizontal and the 150 psi is the verticle. If you use the two stage pump on the 150 psi tank, it will likely overpressure it. It won't blow up or anything, but the relief valve will lift and your two stage pump may run until it locks up tight. Not recommended. __________________ If no one knows what you're doing, they can't tell you you're doing it wrong HG's Dream Car Build - Shelby Cobra Kit Build your own adjustable track bar 71 Long Fleet C/10 72 Jimmy 4x4 (Junkyard Jimmy) HG's Plow Truck '78 K35 Dually Bigass Farm Truck HG's thread of miscellaneous stuff

10-10-2003, 10:50 AM	#8
lux hauler Psycho-billy Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: about 40 miles west of Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 2,591	My compressor (that I got a little over a year ago) has a Buckeye sticker on the front of it. I got the compressor from Eaton Compressor & Fabrication. They're located just outside of Dayton. If there are parts that you need, you might try contacting them. They might have the parts or info that you need. __________________ '72 C-10 350 w/Lunati Voodoo cam (207/213, .437/.454), Performer intake, 625 Road Demon Jr. and Hooker headers. Support your community, support yourself. Buy local, buy American (or Canadian).

10-10-2003, 06:48 AM	#2
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I would not attempt to weld the tank, especially since the crack is down low where corrosion is very likely. Jim

10-10-2003, 07:17 AM	#3
VTKidder Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Vermont Posts: 996	I second that. For my $$, I'd poke around and look for another motor, maybe ebay (not harbor freight ). They're pretty much a universal type motor with a couple different variations. If you're unsuccessful, might wanna look into a new compressor. I would trust a welded tank about as far as I could throw it.

10-10-2003, 09:38 AM	#5
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	ZORK-----wow,connelsville,Pa,small f'n world.my mom grew up there till she got married to my dad,he grew up in uniontown,his dad was a doctor in uniontown,,,,,oh ya, id dump the tank,who knows there might be more stress cracks you cant see,. ........jeff

10-10-2003, 11:38 AM	#9
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	"If you use the two stage pump on the 150 psi tank, it will likely overpressure it. It won't blow up or anything, but the relief valve will lift and your two stage pump may run until it locks up tight. Not recommended." Just change the cutout pressure so it doesn't pump up so much. I lowered mine to 125# as I don't think I need greater pressure and it doesn't make my compressor work quite so hard. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

10-10-2003, 03:35 PM	#10
zork Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Connellsville , Pa Posts: 40	Thanks for the input. I am trashing the bad tank. Going to use switch from 150 tank that way I will not over pressure the tank and the 5hp dual stage will not work as hard. Thanks again Zork



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