Carette 4500 Compressor Testing and Tear Down Report

[triggertreat]

This is the Carette thread so briefly, I use Ingersoll Rand all season full synthetic compressor oil.  I changed mine after the first 3 hours of runtime when the oil started visibly getting darker in color so I haven't seen any black in the release liquid, just white.  I figure it was good to change earlier than recommended being that it's new and possibly having some metal shavings in it.  I am not going to let my oil turn black before changing it.

[Trigger_Finger]

Keith, any synthetic compressor oil is okay?  Is there like a HPA compressor oil? I also have the Carette and have like 8 hrs run time. I have to replace the burst disc at 8hrs. It was hissing. Now it's okay. I got a 5k plug from amazon. I wonder what is the difference of the $40 per quart oil than the $20 .

[triggertreat]

My AV manual states to use 5W40 motor oil or standard compressor oil.  I go for the Ingersoll Rand full synthetic all season compressor oil just cause it sounds like the best to use to me.  I have another shop compressor that says to use that same IR oil too. I am probably spending more money than needed on the full synthetic all season oil, but hopefully it will make it last longer.  I really don't know anything about the Carette oil requirements, but would assume its about the same.  I would check with Joe B. to make sure.


I have read that the difference in compressor oil verses motor oil is the detergent additives.  The compressor oil does not have these detergent additives which is supposed to be better for compressors and have less harmful effects on them.  I can say the oil I use is transparent/crystal clear with no opaque at all.

[Brian Smith]

The fresh compressor oil I put in turned very dark after only 20 minute run.  I have changed the oil 3 times with less than 2 hrs total run time.  I get black residue even on fresh oil when I crack the air drain.  But I have not tried IR.  The oil I have been using is Campell/Hosfield.  It says  formulated for max compressor life, but no where does it say synthetic.  Maybe that is the difference.??  Now using 5W 40 full synthetic Shell Rotella seems to have helped a bit.  Jordan at AV told me again it was just fine.  I find all this very interesting and informative.  Thanks..Brian

[MJP]

Looking at what the compressors cost, I can't think of a one reason to go cheap on oil. You are spending hundreds and thousands on toys but can't seem to find 20-40$ on good quality oli designed specially for HPA compressors!

Regular comprsor oils are not ment to be used on HPA compressors, if you don't believe me look at the manufactures recommendations for HPA oils!

If one day one of you blows up by using motor oil or what not hydraulic oil. I can say I told you, but be very sad on the impact it will cost on our hobby and on all HPA equipment inspection and what not.

Marko

[Brian Smith]

Hi Marko
 Thanks.  I went with what the manufacturer and dealer told me to use over the phone as to protect my warranty.  Brian

[Paul_R]

 Bauer compressor oil (Synthetic) - Chemlube 800. It's pricey and sold by the gallon but I think nobody would question your oil on a warranty issue.
 
Whatever your pick, I think I would stick to ester based synthetics with an ISO grade of around 150 regardless because of the high temps involved.

[Trigger_Finger]

Looking at what the compressors cost, I can't think of a one reason to go cheap on oil. You are spending hundreds and thousands on toys but can't seem to find 20-40$ on good quality oli designed specially for HPA compressors!

Regular comprsor oils are not ment to be used on HPA compressors, if you don't believe me look at the manufactures recommendations for HPA oils!

If one day one of you blows up by using motor oil or what not hydraulic oil. I can say I told you, but be very sad on the impact it will cost on our hobby and on all HPA equipment inspection and what not.

Marko

Thanks for snapping me back to my senses. I forgot how expensive this Carette compressor to be skimping on oil. I will follow manufacturers recommendation or the better quality .

[Humdinger]

The Carette is a good looking compressor with lots of features for sure.  I went with the AV compressor because it has a large, built-in 5-quart cooling reservoir that is simple to fill and drain.  It looks like the Carette cooling system holds much less coolant than the AV and is much harder to fill.  I believe the noise level of the two are about the same.

I own a Carette and a local buddy owns an AV.   These two compressors do not have the same loudness level.  The AV runs in excess of 90 decibels whereas the Carette runs at 70 decibels.  The AV is 3 times louder.  In physics every 6 decibels  doubles the sound level.  It is no problem to stand next to a Carette and hold a normal conversation.  An AV is much much louder.  Also, it is a simple modification to add a small overflow tank to a Carette to fix it's only design shortcoming which is the process to remove all air from the coolant lines.  It is easy to install an overflow tank between the output line of the low pressure cylinder to the radiator tank.  Gravity will remove all air from the lines in seconds and make future coolant changes an easy job.  I added an overflow tank to mine at a total cost of $8 in parts from Home Depot. The Carette will then have no air in the system just like the AV with it's overflow tank.  The Carette doesn't require a large overflow tank because its water is cooled by an internal fan and radiator tank which the AV doesn't have.  The AV is not a bad compressor, but the Carette is far superior in useable features and longevity.   It does not fill as fast, but it is designed to last rather than stressing the motor and pistons to achieve the fastest fill time.

[triggertreat]

You might want to take another look at the AV.  It does have a cooling fan and radiator although small.  It also has a very large fan for the motor which also blows over a large coil of tubing to cool down the air passing through it.  I am just glad I don't have to rig up a bucket of water to keep the AV cool like some do.


It is good if the Carette has some strong points over the AV.  It should because it does cost more than the AV.  I do like the auto purge timer that is included with the Carette, but it is not a deal breaker for me.


Maybe there will be one coming out that is better than both of these with a lower price tag.  The main thing is to get one and start enjoying your air freedom on your own schedule.

[tennx]

Great another one to ponder....

[Brian Smith]

I have my AV in my heated air conditioned work shop.  I could care less about the noise.  That is just me.  Then I like the quicker fill for sure and the free shipping as opposed to the "about" $150 from ATFS Carrette.  And no bucket of extra water.  My AV runs very well in the correct temp range..Brian

[triggertreat]

Great another one to ponder....

One thing to consider in your search is how long does it take to fill your tank/gun.  In my view, the quicker they fill, the less they have to run, and the longer they will last before needing a rebuild.  And once a rebuild is required, where are you getting the parts from.


The Carret looks like a really nice unit, but is slower to fill than the AV and may or may not be built better.  Hopefully Joe B. can hook you up with some parts and instructions.


I can say that the AV is fast and run times are low ~ 20 minutes from 2900 to 4500 on a 88cf tank.  Also the tank is not hot when finished filling so you loose very little pressure from tank cool down afterwards.


The AV comes with an extra HPA filter, dead head, male-to-male Foster, and a whole bag of rebuild parts and a spanner wrench.  I see many, many other parts like power switch, gauges and circuit board available on the PA site you can order.  help or questions about the unit are just a phone call away too.

[miksatx]

60 hour oil change on test unit. No drama. Holding my cheap sound meter at eye level standing next to compressor running 80dba, placing the meter down between both cylinders 94dba. Pretty darn quiet. When it blows off it's 104dba.

[joer308]

One more new Carette owner here.  Ordered a Carette with everything, Alpha filter, auto drain, etc....Came boxed and run-in as advertised - easy to set up and fill with oil, and 1/2 hour later was filling my Guppy.  Quiet and performs as advertised.  Here in the Northeast, there is not a scuba shop on every corner, even if there were, I am too lazy to go!  Appears to be a well designed product at an appropriate price point.  Thanks Joe!  (BTW, I used the operating procedure outlined earlier on this thread - Thanks guykuo!)

[Trigger_Finger]

One more new Carette owner here.  Ordered a Carette with everything, Alpha filter, auto drain, etc....Came boxed and run-in as advertised - easy to set up and fill with oil, and 1/2 hour later was filling my Guppy.  Quiet and performs as advertised.  Here in the Northeast, there is not a scuba shop on every corner, even if there were, I am too lazy to go!  Appears to be a well designed product at an appropriate price point.  Thanks Joe!  (BTW, I used the operating procedure outlined earlier on this thread - Thanks guykuo!)

Don't hesitate to change the oil at the 1st 5 hr interval because the oil window will stay a fresh gold color but when you drain it ,it's actually showing a metallic sheen.

[cootertwo]

Scuse me for not having read through this whole thread. But my Carette has gotten very slow in filling. Does not have too many hours use. Checked for leaks, found none. Some blow by out of crankcase breather.

[joer308]

The Carette still works great, and unfortunately I have to use it more often because I bought a Guppy - I only get 1 1/2 fills with it for my Crown....didn't realize how small it is....Time to get a Great White!

[cootertwo]

Found a very small leak at a foster fitting, that was causing my slower fill times. Still, takes awhile to reach 4500 psi. I also have 2 Hung yeng or whatever they are called. They do fill faster, but the water bucket, ice, I dunno. Some other compressors look nice, but I don't like the idea of no oil, and just grease that you turn a squeeze into every so often. Doesn't seem like it would last as long as an oil lubricated compressor.

[cobalt327]

Found a very small leak at a foster fitting, that was causing my slower fill times. Still, takes awhile to reach 4500 psi. I also have 2 Hung yeng or whatever they are called. They do fill faster, but the water bucket, ice, I dunno. Some other compressors look nice, but I don't like the idea of no oil, and just grease that you turn a squeeze into every so often. Doesn't seem like it would last as long as an oil lubricated compressor.

What brands are like that? I'd just as soon avoid them too.