No More Pumping!

[clgraham82]

My Shoebox Max arrived today!  Very impressed with how well this thing was packed for shipping...peanuts everywhere!    Everything looked in place and seemed tight.  Followed the user manual on setup...very easy!  Sounds like a sewing machine is very accurate, my shop compressor much louder and catches me off guard every time is comes on lol.  I started it up today at 2:04 to fill my 4500 psi 90ci CFT...will report back on completion.

Here is my setup.

[clgraham82]

OK...tank is at 4500 psi!  Took 4 1/2 hours from 1500-4500.  Pretty sure it would have been less if I had remembered to check all my connections twice.  The fill hose connection was leaking air and the shoebox seemed to stall out at 2000 psi.  Found the leak and got it going again and it seemed much faster...duh!  After 2 1/2 hours added a dab of lithium grease to the pistons.  The external fan did a great job of keeping it cool.  Had to stop it myself though once I noticed the tank gauge was reading 4500.  Will probably have to tweak the adjustment collar on the pressure shut off next time.  Only complaint like most with this model...CLACK, CLACK, CLACK, CLACK (very loud!) starting around 3000psi.  Oh well another mod for down the road.  Now to top off my Disco and use some of that sweet HPA!

[cilami]

Nice setup. What exactly is that part you have between the blue and yellow hoses?

[clgraham82]

Thanks!  That's an oil/water separator, got that idea from another member's setup on this forum or the shoebox forum (can't remember which).

[FuzzyGrub]

Congrats!  And nice set-up on roll around cart. 

I am finally moving away from pumping and ordered a Max as well.   

I looked hard at the F8 and Alpha90, but could not justify the extra dollars at my use level.  I do think that I might be adding the adjustable pressure switch, down the road, Like Norm did.

[cilami]

Congrats!  And nice set-up on roll around cart. 

I am finally moving away from pumping and ordered a Max as well.   

I looked hard at the F8 and Alpha90, but could not justify the extra dollars at my use level.  I do think that I might be adding the adjustable pressure switch, down the road, Like Norm did.

I agree with you. In my experience and considering my actual usage (about 700 shots/week) the regular Shoebox/Guppy combo is good enough.

I don't have the pressure switch. I prefer to be around, close to the Shoebox while it is on. It takes about 1 hour 15 minutes to fill from 3000 to 4600 psi.
In any case, a small regular timer can be installed as a backup safety measure.
 

[Norm_m]

The electric high pressure switch I added to my Shoebox was the best mod that I have done to it. Just because it has a pressure switch does not mean I run it when I am not close by. Anything can fail and I want to be nearby so I can monitor the pressure, 4500 PSI is nothing to fool around with.

I've also added a built in fan, hardened piston rods, the newer finned high pressure cylinder and the rubber drive belt. I also blocked the holes on the left side of the front cover and made new holes on the right side. This forces the air from the small fan on the left rear side to travel across the two cylinders and some going out the new holes on the right side of the cover but a lot of the air is sucked through the motor making it run cooler.

I also have set the Pressure Regulator on my  oil less shop compressor to 120 PSI and that helps to fill my CF Tanks faster. Do not do that if you have the Clackity Clack Clack  mechanical switch!!

Norm

[cilami]

The electric high pressure switch I added to my Shoebox was the best mod that I have done to it. Just because it has a pressure switch does not mean I run it when I am not close by. Anything can fail and I want to be nearby so I can monitor the pressure, 4500 PSI is nothing to fool around with.

I've also added a built in fan, hardened piston rods, the newer finned high pressure cylinder and the rubber drive belt. I also blocked the holes on the left side of the front cover and made new holes on the right side. This forces the air from the small fan on the left rear side to travel across the two cylinders and some going out the new holes on the right side of the cover but a lot of the air is sucked through the motor making it run cooler.

I also have set the Pressure Regulator on my  oil less shop compressor to 120 PSI and that helps to fill my CF Tanks faster. Do not do that if you have the Clackity Clack Clack  mechanical switch!!

Norm

Very nice mods to your Shoebox! I'll be doing some of them to mine.

How much faster it is when setting the shop compressor to 120 psi?

[FuzzyGrub]

Norm,

Is this the switch you used?  : http://www.mcmaster.com/#3427k83/=tdpud5


High-Pressure Switch
NEMA 1, 400 to 4700 PSI Actuation Range
$70.86 Each
3427K83
For Use With For Air and Water
Actuation Range 400-4,700 psi
Deactuation Range 100-600 psi
Maximum psi 8,000
Pipe Size 1/4
Height  2 7/8"
Pipe Connection Brass NPT male
Amp Rating 5 amps @125/250 volts AC
Additional Specifications Indoor Switches—NEMA 1 Enclos