What's new
By:
Car Wash Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

Replacing old compressor

R

randall

Member
I have a compressor that i want to replace. It's for my 4 bay ss. Dont know the brand, but it is a 20 gallon 115 volt compressor. Any recommendations..thanks
 
Not Husky? My experience varies.

I bought a Husky, similar to the VT6315, 30 gal vertical as a temporary air supply while awaiting parts for my expensive IR 80. I fixed the IR two weeks later but never put it back in service. That was eight years ago.

The Husky powers all the low pressure systems for my 8 bay...including air assist for all lp functions, Flojet pumps for FB, TC, PS, FB antifreeze, and softener brine injection. Oh...and, blow down for the foaming pre-soak and tire cleaner guns.

Now that I've bragged about it I suspect I'll have to junk it within the next week.
 
In fairness to Husky, mine was not a top of the line model. But, it was just used to power a flo jet running 4 foam brushes. After about 14 months it suffered a catastrophic failure. The pump pretty much ate itself. One afternoon I noticed I had no pressure and a good sized pile of metal shavings under the compressor.
 
Whatever you do DON’T get an oil less air compressor. They run to fast and won’t hold up in a high use environment. The slower a air compressor runs the longer it will last. I’ve got a 20 gallon Sanborn air compressor at my wash that has been running for over 15 years. Since I put it in I’ve replaced the motor start switch and one pressure switch. I’ve also got a 30 gallon Saylor Beall that’s over 30 years old in the shop. The only thing I’ve done to it is replace the pressure switch. It runs very slow, the pump turns at about 500 Rpm. There’s nothing wrong with a Husky air compressor I know a few that have been in service for a number of years. Speed kills an air compressor fast.

How old is this old air compressor?
 
Last edited:
Husky is a good compressor but it MUST be broken in properly. I've seen many times where someone bought one, put it in the room, put oil in it and hooked it up, and the pump failed in about a year. They must be run continuously for 30 minutes to an hour (depending on the size - it's specified in the manual) with no load to seat the rings, otherwise it will constantly lose oil.

Ingersoll-Rand is pretty good, but they're overpriced and they use crappy motors. The pumps are the same ones both Husky and Speedaire use. I installed a "Black Max" as a back-up, which also uses the same pumps.

Anything you get that's rated continuous duty should serve you well, just read the manual and set it up the way you're supposed to.
 
We use real (industrial) air compressors, 5 HP, 80 gallon, Curtis air compressors. 220 volt single or 208 volt 3 phase (prefer 3 phase).
 
Listen to any compressor you are going to buy. Many run very loud compared to others. American made Quincy industrial compressors have always been great for me. I have one in my wash that has been running for 18 years without a problem. The one I have in my detail shop was purchased in the 1960's and has never been serviced other than changing oil and for most of its life it served as the only compressor in a tire shop. They run much quieter than other I have been around.
 
Randy, It was there when i bought the wash. I took it to the shop to have it repaired. It's a 20 gallon coleman black max series.
 
Etowah
The Black Max Air compressor was made by Sanborn. Coleman Power products bought out the Sanborn Air Compressor Company in 1994 and dropped the Black Max from the Coleman shortly thereafter. The Black Max is a good air compressor for a 4 bay car wash. Randall Why did you have to take it to the shop? There isn’t much on them that you can’t replace yourself?
 
MEP001 said:
I installed a "Black Max" as a back-up, which also uses the same pumps.
Click to expand...
I misremembered; what I installed as a back-up is a Campbell-Hausfeld "Iron Force" series compressor. It was the smallest one I could find that was rated continuous duty.
 
It wasn't holding air. I never worked on an air compressor before.Dont know what part i need or where to get it.
 
Last edited:
This is a fairly common problem. When an air compressor won’t hold air it’s normally a bad tank check valve. They are readily available, Grainger has them and they are also available on line.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top