My Paasche D500 compressor arrived today. Airbrush not delivered yet.
The compressor has a pressure regulator and moisture trap installed. No
tank. Do these compressors run all the time they are plugged in? Or do
they shut off when they reach pressure? If they run constantly, do they
just divert the extra air pressure if I am spraying at 30 pounds? I
have used canned air [Propel] in the past, so this is new to me.
I'm NOT familiar with that particular compressor, but they come in
mainly three types.
1) Run ALL the time, controlled by a manual switch. Usually these will
overheat after a while if allowed to run against a 'stall' condition (no
air flow).
2) Run ALL the time, with air pressure controlled by a 'bleeder' valve
(internal or external), really just a controlled 'leak' that lets some
air flow all the time. The bigger the leak the lower the pressure. Note
that this can control the pressure, but NOT 'regulate' it. Also helps
reduce compressor overheating by allowing some air to pass all the time.
3) Compressor controlled by a presure switch, and turns itself on and
off as needed. Works best with a pressure storage tank.
All compressors will work best with a small 'surge' tank in the line
somewhere. This evens out the compressor's air pulsations. some
compressors, including some Paasches, have a small integral surge tank
in the compressor head casting.
All air compressors generate heat, both in the compressor and in the
motor. Generally, they should not get so hot that you can't briefly
touch them, but they will get more than warm.
Dan Mitchell
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Question for anyone with a Paasche D500 compressor. Is there any reason
NOT to reverse the head on the air piston so the outlet hose points away
from the unit instead of being right above the unit. I am asking because
reversing it would allow the regulator/moisture trap to be vertical
instead of horizontal. It seems to fit either way, so I have changed it
from the direction it was when I got it.
Daniel A. Mitchell wrote:
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