Air Compressors

3586 Views 25 Replies 10 Participants Last post by DaninVan, Nov 17, 2019

Ed3443

Discussion Starter · Nov 15, 2019

I purchased a Makita Mac5200 air compressor primarily for a pin nailer and finish nailer but also for the occasional framer or small impact wrench. I am aware that the tank is too small and I plan on adding a second tank at so point.

My question is how much air loss should you expect from a tank over time? I am noticing that after about 8 hours with the machine unplugged it is going from 135 PSI to 125PSI. Eight hours more and it is 80PSI and additional 8 hours it is at 45PSI. With an additional 8 hours it is at 25PSI. Is this normal? Does it take a while for all the parts to seal?

Thanks guys.

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DaninVan

· #2 · Nov 15, 2019

Hey, Ed; It's probably better to shut the compressor off, and drain the tank when you're not using it.
135psi is pretty high. Doesn't your pin nailer recommend a lower pressure, maybe around 70psi ?

Reactions: 5

Stick486

· #3 · Nov 15, 2019

I'm w/ Dan...
as for the leak...
make up a soap solution of water and dish-soap and paint the joints...
kid's bubble solution works really well...

Reactions: 5

Stick486

· #4 · Nov 15, 2019

Ed3443 said:
I purchased a Makita Mac5200 air compressor primarily for a pin nailer and finish nailer but also for the occasional framer or small impact wrench. I am aware that the tank is too small and I plan on adding a second tank at so point.

My question is how much air loss should you expect from a tank over time?

Thanks guys.

what brand of pinner are you using???
why do you feel the tank is too small??? cycle time frequency???
what are your settings on the outlet regulator???
what are your settings on the limit switch

as far as air loss goes...
I prefer EOD drain down as a better way to go...

and a 135 psi is a lot...

Reactions: 1

Ed3443

Discussion Starter · #5 · Nov 15, 2019 (Edited)

Thanks Guys. Sorry I did not make my self clear. I am not using it with a pin nailer or any nail gun at 135PSI. 135PSI is the unregulated side. I am aware that you should drain the tank after use. I just did this as a test to determine if there was any air leakage. The Makita only has a 5 gallon tank which is fine for nail guns--but for an impact wrench it is on the small side. I figured I would add a 11 gallon or larger tank if I use it with an impact wrench. It is a cheap compressor $299 at CPO and is really impressive; rated to 140PSI and 6.5CFM @90 and 6.9 @40PSI. Sound-wise it is loud rated at 90 decibels, but when I tested it in a closed garage it was 77-80 right next to the machine.

Thank you both for your concern--I appreciate that. I know people have been criticizing this forum as of late but I think it is awesome.

Thanks Stick for the advice about kid's bubble solution. I am using Hitachi NP35A @80PSI.

Back to my question--is it normal to have that much of an air lose over a 24 hour period. I have heard stories of compressors keeping pressure for a long time--or am I expecting too much? I guess the question is--do I have an air leak that I should chase down?

Thanks guys.

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Stick486

· #6 · Nov 15, 2019

is that air loss w/ the air line connected???
chase down the air leak...

impact wrench on that small of compressor..
if the air consumption of the impact is near or more than the rating of the compressor the compressor will never keep up no matter how much additional tankage you add...
you have to stop using the wrench for a time to let the compressor charge the tanks...

Reactions: 3

Cherryville Chuck

· #7 · Nov 15, 2019

I don't worry about air leaks that small. If I unplug my tools from mine it will stay up for days. With a tool connected maybe overnight before it's down to a few psi. And it depends on which tool. Some leak more than others. It takes quite a bit of air to run a 1/2" impact. I have a twin cylinder compressor with a big Baldor 3hp 220volt motor driving it and it won't keep up to heavy use. If you want heavy use out of an impact you'd probably be better to go electric.

Reactions: 4

anndel

· #8 · Nov 15, 2019

I have a Husky 33 gallon vertical air compressor I use on pneumatic tools when wrenching on vehicles. I sometimes work late and turn off the compressor but don't release the air from the tank until the next day and it holds the pressure from when I left it, even with the hose still connected (but no tools). There is a leak somewhere on your system and could be the "M" fittings themselves or the drain valve.

Reactions: 1

harrysin

· #9 · Nov 15, 2019

This is what Makita claim,

"POWER : 6.5 CFM @ 90PSI; Powerful enough to run two framing nailers"

The loss of pressure indicates a leak, do you turn off the tap each day or leave the hose pressurized?

Reactions: 1

TimPa

· #10 · Nov 15, 2019

it seems that most air hose quick couplers leak to some degree, common. so if you are leaving an air hose connected, that would be my bet. if not, track down the leak on the unit as mentioned. if it is the hose, you can place a ball shut off valve before the hose connection to prevent leak down.

Reactions: 4

OCEdesigns

· #11 · Nov 15, 2019

It should not leak like that.
I have 60 gal and as long as I close the ball valve it will hold full pressure for weeks. If I leave the ball valve open it will leak from the hose quick connects in about 3 days.

Reactions: 4

DaninVan

· #12 · Nov 15, 2019 (Edited)

Yeh, that's my experience as well. Those quick connects leak like crazy. I don't even worry about it; as long as I turn the power off to the compressor, the tank pressure will be released 'automatically'. See, there is a silver lining!

Reactions: 1

Stick486

· #13 · Nov 15, 2019

but it won't get drained of water...

Reactions: 3

DaninVan

· #14 · Nov 16, 2019

Geez, some guys want the World on a platter!

Just kidding, Stick. But you're right; the water is still an issue. Have I mentioned how much I detest (abhor!) those factory supplied drain fittings? Yeh, pretty sure I whined about it/them in the past...

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Reactions: 1

DesertRatTom

· #15 · Nov 16, 2019

If you have a hose from the compressor to the tank, check that too. That was very leaky from the factory--probably damaged during assembly.

I am amazed at how leaky the quick connect fittings are as well.

Reactions: 1

Stick486

· #16 · Nov 16, 2019

3

up grade...

.

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Reactions: 1

harrysin

· #17 · Nov 16, 2019

Stick486 said:
but it won't get drained of water...

Our climate is obviously very different to yours. In my business we used a compressor all day long, air was reticulated to each bench. The compressor had a label saying to drain the tank each. In the weeks after getting this compressor we opened the drain tap each day but not a drop came out. Even checking it around monthly, still nothing came out so we stopped the procedure. After retiring and leaving the business to my son which he closed after about three years when the cost of a new superior VCR was less than the cost of a major repair.
After it closed I was given the compressor and the first thing that I did was open the drain and STILL not a drop came out. Never in use did any water come out of the air drivers or blowers.

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Reactions: 1

harrysin

· #18 · Nov 16, 2019 (Edited)

Stick486 said:
up grade...

.

About two years ago the tap on mine started to leak and I replaced it with one from Ebay that looks the same as the top right one in your picture. The photo above is taken from the thread "my shed now" some years old. It's too late tonight to have gone out and taken new shots.

Reactions: 1

DaninVan

· #19 · Nov 16, 2019

Stick; none of those will work as a straight retro fit....the tank bottom is too close to the ground.
I've been procrastinating; replace the valve with a 90 and extend a short length of hose with a ball valve on the end. One of the members here posted a picture of something along that line, awhile back.

Reactions: 1

Stick486

· #20 · Nov 16, 2019

4

street el off of the bottom of the tank to start...
many styles and angles to choose from...

.

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