I bought a 5 HP, 3 phase, 100 gallon Atlas Copco 3 phase compressor today. That could be for just resale or single phase repower and resale. The motor is 184T frame. I am concerned that, as I opened the drain, quite a bit of water drained, about 2 quarts. I am considering opening up the big inspection holes and just peeking in there to see how bad is the rust.
The story of this compressor is that it was used at an auto shop, then the owner died, and it sat in the widow's garage for a while. That's what I was told anyway. The compresor runs fine, but I am concerned about the tank's integrity. I did not run it above 50 psi.
Some more data. The compressor head is rated for 300 PSI (!). It is a bad ass head, very complicated. The tank is rated for 200 PSI. The emergency popoff valve is rated for 175 PSI.
Air connections to the pressure control relay are complicated and one line's plastic fitting is broken. (hopefully no big deal that can be fixed with copper line).
So, again, is it sane to try to open up the inspection hole? I tried doing it today and it just would not budge. I could make some makeshift tool, but perhaps there is something simple that I am missing. I need a square socket that would go into the hole on the plug.
i