Different air compressor question, really. :)

[K85 Octane]

I need to replace an air compressor at my place of work. It pumps air into the buildings two "bus size" sprinkler water tanks to keep them pressurized. So it doesn't run often, but when it does it runs for a while. An outside company effed it up, letting water run back into it diluting the oil, but there's no way to proof it.

Looking for something similar, USA made, and online orderable/shippable. Anyone know where I can get one? Not sure if I want to be raped by Grainger and not sure if NorthernTool has just the compressor.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

fordum will know

 

[K85 Octane]

there is a wealth of information to be had from this site and many like it, most of it isn't even truck related The diversity of workers is awesome.


Just checked the motor. Says 2HP lol Kinda limits my options

This is probably the closest replacement. Was looking to get something USA made if I'm spending what Grainger wants. Otherwise, it's not my money, I'll just order it with my next big order of supplies.

https://new.grainger.com/product/CHAMPION-Air-Compressor-Pump-5FTU4

 

[K85 Octane]

I hate how much advertising there is on the net, well normal stuff is fine but I don't like being tracked like this. Very next website I go to has this. I like how they can't freaking spell. Pathetic

 

[Smokinthehippies]

I hate how much advertising there is on the net, well normal stuff is fine but I don't like being tracked like this. Very next website I go to has this. I like how they can't freaking spell. Pathetic

not to say the advertising thing is right. but i'm pretty sure the misspelling was intentional

 

[K85 Octane]

Haha
I didn't look at it that way. If they are going to bombard me with crap, I'd like to see it spelled correctly, it's not cute and never will be.

 

[Fordum]

fordum will know

Of course I do.

Well, if you are looking for the quickest and easiest way out, you can try here.
http://allaircompressorparts.com/bw...rsinglestage2-3hpcommandairwheadunloader.aspx

$200 Cheaper than Grainger, but check shipping costs on that site and Grainger.
Its a heavy little sucker, and the shipping might eat you up.

E-bay has it with "free shipping" but for $75 more.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHAMPION-BWA-Air-Compressor-Pump-1-Stage-/221243661499

Since its not your money, the easy way it to just buy one of those and plug it in.

However, its rated at 6CFM@125psi. I doubt you are going that high with the pressure, so its probably putting out more air than that.

For that kind of money, you could buy a complete air compressor system and probably replace the compressor at least once when it wore out.

That would require a lot more work of course, if they are not going to pay you for it, just put on a new pump and call it done.

 

[CGT80]

Is this for fire sprinklers or irrigation? If it is for fire sprinklers, there could be liability and inspections involved. I have only dealt with fire sprinkler systems a couple times, but it was critical that the work was done properly and then inspected and signed off. I am a DIY'er although I am also a pro at many trades, so I can see wanting to do this yourself. Just make sure to CYA. If the system failed at a later date, after you worked on it, you might get some crap (even if it wasn't your fault).

If it is for irrigation, then I don't see any issues with taking care of it, assuming you know how the system works.

 

[K85 Octane]

Fordum: It's only $660 after shipping through the website. So a little better than Ebay. Do you have any experience with this E-retailer? The tanks only see 50psi. The volume is of course massive though, I could probably park two S10s in each tank.

CGT80: It is a fire sprinkler system. I was not informed by my testing company, that I use, that there would be any inspections after install. It seems I'll be going with this simple pump and it looks just like the original. 99.99% sure I wont have an issue.

 

[Smokinthehippies]

Fordum: It's only $660 after shipping through the website. So a little better than Ebay. Do you have any experience with this E-retailer? The tanks only see 50psi. The volume is of course massive though, I could probably park two S10s in each tank.

CGT80: It is a fire sprinkler system. I was not informed by my testing company, that I use, that there would be any inspections after install. It seems I'll be going with this simple pump and it looks just like the original. 99.99% sure I wont have an issue.

100% follow up with the buildings fire permit contractor. pretty sure the fire system will need to be tested/recerted afterward.

I would advise not touching it if they are not willing to get that done. hes not lying about the CYA portion of the sprinkler systems. we just had ours recerted after getting a few sprinkler heads changed.

 

[K85 Octane]

Wow
We change sprinkler heads, drops, valves, shut offs, check valves, etc without post certs lol

I'll run it past management though. Currently we are pressurizing the system with my Husky roll around shop compressor so I'm forced to use that oil-less bastard of a compressor I fixed a while ago.

 

[CGT80]

Wow
We change sprinkler heads, drops, valves, shut offs, check valves, etc without post certs lol

I'll run it past management though. Currently we are pressurizing the system with my Husky roll around shop compressor so I'm forced to use that oil-less bastard of a compressor I fixed a while ago.

It is common for people to not follow the law. Sometimes the law/code is a pain in the ass and makes it more costly and harder for people who do things the right way regardless of inspections.

The two that I remember dealing with were a huge warehouse in Walnut and a condo building in Brea. In Brea, a tenant broke off a sprinkler in their garage. It was plumbed with PVC even though it was a fire sprinkler. It was a fast and easy repair, but it had to be coordinated with an inspector and I think the fire department had to be notified that the system was to be down and then retested. I'm sure my boss would have had me fix the sprinkler or he would have done it himself instead of calling out a fire sprinkler guy. I was there repairing the water damaged walls and ceiling.

The warehouse had a main feed to the fire sprinkler system fail and leak. The same sprinkler company repaired it and then it was tested again. Sprinkler systems are supposed to alert the FD when they are shut off or loose water pressure. You guys must know how to keep that from triggering a false alarm and it is possible the city doesn't know about the work being done. The codes vary from city to city, at least in other aspects of the construction industry. Heck, different inspectors in the same city even have different ways they want a job done (such as how you terminate the wiring in an electrical box that has receptacles in it).

Do what you gotta do and just CYA. Good luck with the project.

 

[Fordum]

Never dealt with them, but they look OK.

I saw the part about it being a sprinkler system, but was waist deep in trying to figure out what was wrong with a Karaoke system....... Other than it being a Karaoke system that is.........

And basically just read that as a big system for the farm or garden.

I agree that you need to run the repair past management.

I have tinkered with a few fire suppression systems, over the years, but I always had a certified guy backing me up.
Down here there is even a special license you have to pass a test for and be certified to work on them.

While a large number of "certs" are just ways for the local gov. to siphon some bucks, and I don't hold with them, those that deal with life critical systems I support.
And when a major fire breaks out, a sprinkler system that does not work kills people.
I agree that since you are replacing with the exact same pump, there should not be a problem, something needs to be changed to prevent this pump from failing due to water intrusion.
And that change needs to be certified.

 

[Avery4jc]

Uhh, it's just a compressor head. Pull it apart, clean it out, polish up the surface rust that has inevitably formed from them letting water get into the oil and throw it back together. Especially for something used so rarely in this application.

Then it's all the same equipment and you could more than likely not worry about tests/inspections.

 

[K85 Octane]

Thanks guys! Will be taking the steps tomorrow at work.


Oh and Avery, I'm just going to replace it. Probably end up rebuilding it on my time and seeing if I can use it somehow. Though I'm not sure how bad the damage is, I heard it running like normal while this other company was working on the system. Some time later I return to my workshop and from two rooms over, I could REALLY hear it running..... like crying out in pain. Walked over and found that oily mess, with water mixed in. Puked all oil out of the crank case, deciding to go water lubed. In the 15 years I can remember, it's never done that. I don't know what they did.