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Author Topic: Running on Compressed Air?  (Read 1125 times)

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Running on Compressed Air?
« on: February 01, 2021, 02:28:09 pm »
I have a 5 gal tank I would like to set up to sometimes run small engines like Wilesco and similar on air...my first thought is without the heat of steam that steam oil will remain quite thick?
  If I switch to light oil for cyl lube while running on air, will it contaminate the cyl or cause issue when I switch back to steam?
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2021, 02:50:49 pm »
You should not have any issue , I do it all the time , steam will flush it out. Lubricate plenty & often when running on compressed air
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2021, 02:58:36 pm »
Ok, cool....is 3 in 1 oil or Marvel mystery oil to light? Or recommended please?
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2021, 03:00:52 pm »
I use Mobile #1, 05 & 10 weight synthetic.
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Bruce, St. Paul Indiana, USA
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2021, 03:17:23 pm »
Thanks!...I was just at harbour freight and there standard regulator warns on the package that it regulates from 5-300lb!...I want fine control if I am tuning on and engine, I want to see if it will tick over on 1/2 a pound. Does anyone have a recommendation on an affordable price regulator that seems to offer fine control in the 0-15 lb range?
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2021, 03:22:27 pm »
I use two regulators. I set the one on my compressor to 15 psi and then use a US made ControlAir regulator with a nice big US made gauge

You can find my setup used on ebay for $30 or so. Mine was guaranteed to be accurate and I checked it with one here that I know is good



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Nick

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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2021, 03:25:51 pm »
By the way, if you’re running on low PSI, you don’t even need an airline adapter, you can just get an assortment of tubing and “screw” it into the boiler. You can see in my video that I needed a smaller diameter, but only had a short length of that smaller size, so I just pushed it inside of a larger diameter tubing.
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Nick

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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2021, 04:23:00 pm »
Would get something like this, which is a nice easily read size for a gauge.
It is 0-30psi, but that would also keep you covered, when running your engines on full pressure (max standard safety valve setting).

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ametek-P1535-110793-Usg-Pressure-Gauge-0-30psi-2-1-2in-1-4in-Npt-NEW/143934465269

There is quite a few at very fair prices, if you trawl through Ebay:

0-30psi: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=pressure+gauge+0-30+psi&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&_sop=15

0-15psi: https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=pressure+gauge+0-15+psi&_sop=15

Do go for an American or European made gauge though, as the Chinese may be tempting with their low prices, but precision does follow the price.
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Jan
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2021, 05:43:17 pm »
Quote from: Nick on February 01, 2021, 03:22:27 pm
I use two regulators. I set the one on my compressor to 15 psi and then use a US made ControlAir regulator with a nice big US made gauge

You can find my setup used on ebay for $30 or so. Mine was guaranteed to be accurate and I checked it with one here that I know is good




Beautiful engine!...and 1/4 psi is fine control indeed!!
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2021, 05:18:44 pm »
Unless you are using a dedicated compressor you definitely want a separate regulator on your bench, I was playing around with a vintage engine, then later did some home repairs so jacked up the PSI to 90 for the air nailer.
Couple days later went back to the vintage engine forgot to reset the regulator and blasted 90 PSI into the old thin boiler, it did not fair well.

This is the system I use, gauge is from a tire pressure gauge I picked up at an auto supply store for a very reasonable price.
http://steammods.com/runonair.html

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Frank C.
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Re: Running on Compressed Air?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2021, 05:45:16 am »
I have a dedicated 5 gal air tank that I will fill to 120psi in garage then bring in house to run silent. I don't yet know how long 5 gal at 120psi will run small Wilesco stationary regulated down to maybe less than 3psi. If I only get 5 min of run time I may have to rethink my system....I do own a small airbrush compressor that could be employed to fill the 5 gal tank.
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