Thread: Help a pnuematic newbie?

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I got my first pneumatic prop delivered yesterday. The gentleman that sold it to me has somewhat vague on instructions regarding assembling this thing. He is suppossed to call me today but hasn't done so yet. Here's the deal, this is a prop that requires only 20psi. I have a very loud air compressor that has a minimum of 40 PSI, which means I would need a regulator ?. He did send some directions indicating that I can buy an air tank for about 20 dollars from wal mart. that would be good for "numerous" pop ups, I wonder how many. Also, I bought a 4 way valve but it didn't come with the 12v adapter...it does have the wires to connect one I believe. So after routing all of this up and sending one small airline to my compressor and or air tank how the hell do I hook it up to either?!. I don't know what type of fitting I would need.

So to recap here...here are the things I am boggled by at the moment.

#1) What's better, a couple of air tanks or a loud air compressor with a regulator?

#2) Do I need a regulator?

#3) Where can I get an independant adapter to hook up to the 4 way valve?

#4) How the hell do I hook up a small air hose to either?!

Thanks for any help you guys can supply and I know you can haha..

Sinister

Check out frightprops.com I use a huge air compressor from sears so I could keep adding different pnuematics. Personally, I'm not sure about the regulator. The guys at frightprops are good people and can really help a lot. Send them an email. I think they have a $50 minimum order though. You also might want to check out Northern. I think they use to be known as Northern Hydraulics. They use to carry a lot of fittings or even a local Sears store.

thanks, I actually got my 4 way from them..I gotta get this thing going within 5 days

1. I would recommend a regulator, you can get one at Homedepot/Lowes for about $20.
2. Put the regulator just before or close to your prop. Adjust to a lower pressure start at the 20psi recommened and work from there
3. Use the compressor as the tank w/o the compressor will run out after awhile
4. Place the compressor away from the prop like in the garage/house or behind the house run it at max pressure and run a line to your prop, You can pick up some 3/8" hose with ends at HD/Lowes usually 50' long for $15 on up.
5. Fittings for valve you need to know what size the ports are 1/8" pipe or 1/4" pipe are typical again Homedepot/Lowes sells fittings I use the plastic push in fittings and clear tubing take the valve to the store and ask tell them what you want to do they will help get the items you need.
6. Hook up the incoming line from the compressor to the regulator, the out going line from the regulator goes to the input line on the valve, you should have ports marked A, B and E . E is for exhaust. Hook a like from A to the cylinder and a line from B to the other port on the cylinder if you have a double acting cylinder you may need to switch the lines depending on the valve type you have.

Well you should have a regulator to dial it down. Just be sure to buy a diaphram regulator...Harbor Frieght has them for $10. Just buy the one that says ajustable for spray guns.

You could use an air tank but you will run out of juice if it stands alone. If you decide to add more down the road then air tanks are a cheap way to extend your setup. Just put them in-line with a check valve. Just use your main compressor for now. Or if you want to keep the noise in the backyard you can run hose to the front and have a tank next to the prop.

The solenoid 4 way has 4 openings I'm assuming a double acting cylinder.

1. Input for the push movement
2. Input for the pull movement
3. 1/4 NPT male connector
4. Exhaust for air to escape or exhaust muffler attached

You can wire a 12volt power supply to the solenoid so it fires when you want.

Thanks guys, I am real close to the edge of a meltdown..I have only a few days to get everything ready for my halloween party on Friday night!...I have one late sent beheaded bride on the way from florida that should haver ahhhhhh nevermind.

Alright guys, I have decided to use my own loud air compressor. I ATTEMPTED to hook up my 4 way valve today but guess what? the distance between the connections is too narrow to fit the standard home depot quick connects!!...HOW CONVIENIENT. I failed at trying to shave them down with pliers and scissors and almost had a nervous breakdown. I don't know how to get my hands on some that will fit quickly at this point.

I went out and bought a dc adapter, cut the ends and wired it to the 4 way valve.

Sorry if I am a little dense but, I am using basicly what I think is ice machine hose? which is very small what type of adapters/connections am I am going to need that will fit into a regulator and then the regulator into the compressor?

Originally Posted by Sinister blood

Thanks guys, I am real close to the edge of a meltdown..I have only a few days to get everything ready for my halloween party on Friday night!...I have one late sent beheaded bride on the way from florida that should haver ahhhhhh nevermind.

Alright guys, I have decided to use my own loud air compressor. I ATTEMPTED to hook up my 4 way valve today but guess what? the distance between the connections is too narrow to fit the standard home depot quick connects!!...HOW CONVIENIENT. I failed at trying to shave them down with pliers and scissors and almost had a nervous breakdown. I don't know how to get my hands on some that will fit quickly at this point.

I went out and bought a dc adapter, cut the ends and wired it to the 4 way valve.

Sorry if I am a little dense but, I am using basicly what I think is ice machine hose? which is very small what type of adapters/connections am I am going to need that will fit into a regulator and then the regulator into the compressor?

As stated you need a regulator, an adjustable diaphragm one with gauge. They come with varying fitting sizes. Almost all consumer compressor stuff is either 1/8" NPT (National Pipe Thread) or 1/4" NPT I tend to stick with 1/4" for flow, but a small prop could get away with 1/8" You can get fittings at any automotive parts supplier, just by asking for thae above 2. Make sure you get some teflon tape to seal the thread when you join NPT stuff.
Harborfreight Tools or any Tool stro Including Northern will carry all the items you need including pre terminated air hoses. When it comes to quick coupler there any many different styles, You need to pick one and stick with it. I think most common is "M". And for best results don't buy cheap no name stuff as things end up leaking. I buy Milton quick fittings.

As far as your 4 way fitting is concerned there are many types with larger spacing as well to accommodate your fittings.

Here in Toronto we have a lot of Hardware stores to choose from that carry large selections of said items. You need to find a good Tool Hardware store near you, they should carry everything you need.

Look thru this.It has a great series of pics to help you.
Haunting With Compressed Air

You have to be careful with quick connects. You just can't buy any old thing. There are universal, automotive, standard, Hi-flo and others. A automotive male quick connect will not fit into a female Hi-flo and such. Just remove the male and take it to HD and find the one it fits into. Never try to make something fit with compressed air..you could kill yourself. Never "shave" fittings to make them fit.

Here is a flowchart of sorts to help depending on size:

Compressor----hose----regulator-----1/4 NPT female on end----1/4 male NPT on solenoid----1/8 or 1/4 quick connect on "push" and "pull" outputs of the solenoid followed by 1/4 or 1/8 tubing to enter the input "push"/"pull" sections of the cylinder which should also have 2 quick connects.

Skullboy, thanks for that. Although my setup should be way more basic as I have one simple prop that requires a mere 20psi.

"Compressor----hose----regulator-----1/4 NPT female on end----1/4 male NPT on solenoid----1/8 or 1/4 quick connect on "push" and "pull" outputs of the solenoid followed by 1/4 or 1/8 tubing to enter the input "push"/"pull" sections of the cylinder which should also have 2 quick connects. "

Industen, that should really help me. The thing that stressing me out is that I have no tube going from the air compressor.