Carette 4500 Compressor Testing and Tear Down Report

[Trigger_Finger]

I finally drained the glycerin. It was leaking inside the connector plug and not from the filler cap. Filled it will oil and coolant. I did run it for 11 minutes but the pressure never goes up above 1700. The automatic bleeder works. How long is the delay for the pressure to go above 2000?.

[Trigger_Finger]

MY Carette stays in the 1700 psi for like 5-10 minutes. And never goes up. Is that normal? I just stop the machine I'm afraid something might blow up. Highest cylinder temp is 140 degrees.I'm calling Joe B tomorrow.

[guykuo]

Provided there isn't a leak, it will go above the 1700 PSI point in about 2-3 minutes. Check that all the connections with some soapy water to find the leak.

I am assuming you have the basics done.

1. Teflon tape to effect the seal on the water separator manual drain.

2. Output connected to a tank and not just sitting with its end free.

3. Manual bleed valves at the PMV is also closed.

4. RE-Check all the connections with soapy water to ensure there are no leaks. Start at the high cylinder output and check pipe and fitting in sequence. You'll probably find a leak.
***** NEVER TIGHTEN CONNECTIONS WITH THE COMPRESSOR PRESSURIZED. ALWAYS DEPRESSURIZE BEFORE WORKING ON ANY FITTINGS!!!!! ******


5. Pressure isn't climbing on your tank gauge differently from the compressor gauge. This would indicate a bad gauge.

For these high pressure, low volume compressors, a tiny leak will stop pressure from rising.

[Trigger_Finger]

I didn't connect to a tank since my tank is at 4000 psi and the compressor at 1700. The manual doesn't mention the Green Arrow gauge dial.I played with it but nothing happens also. Okay thanks will check for leak today.

[guykuo]

If you didn't connect it to a tank (or a dead head) the end of the hose is WIDE OPEN. You won't see the pressure rise any further that the set point of the PMV. This is normal function.

Only when there is RESISTANCE to the output will pressure build further.

The compressor should not and will not go above its PMV set pressure WITHOUT a load. That's like pumping on your HILL pump without a gun cylinder connected and expecting the pump's pressure gauge to climb.

[Trigger_Finger]

The hose is connected to the Alpha filter. I thought and per manual to wait for the pressure in the pump to equal to the tank before opening the tank valve.

[guykuo]

"I didn't connect to a tank since my tank is at 4000 psi and the compressor at 1700"

I really do not understand what you actually have connected at this point.

>>>> IS THERE A DEAD HEAD OR TANK at the end of the entire connection sequence? <<<<

There HAS to be dead head or a tank (whether with its valve open or closed) for there to be any back resistance to build up pressure beyond what the PMV's are set at. The Alpha has a PMV (well most versions of it anyway) and bleed valve(s) that need to be also closed.

Yes, you open the tank valve once the compressor gets close to the tank pressure. The tank MUST be connected for pressure to build up to that level.

[Trigger_Finger]

Sorry for the trouble.I'm a PCP hPa newbie. I spoke to Jo B right before I opened your reply. I realized now that I have to connect the tank for the pressure to build up, then slowly open the tank valve. Thanks a bunch Guykuo.

[Trigger_Finger]

Thanks Guykuo. It's WORKING now! I don't have to drive to that paintball place and pay $25 each time. Now to figure out how to charge my steel scuba tank 3442 psi with the right connector and it doesn't have the tank pressure gauge.

[guykuo]

Glad you got it up and going.

I was getting perplexed, but now it's clear what was going on.

[RAJOD]

    I have owned a Shoebox Max, Shoebox F8, a full sized Bauer professional compressor, and closely studied the Omega, Nimrodair, Air Venturi, and the Altaros.   The Carette has the most features, is the quietest, least stressed, and more closely resembles a true dive compressor than any of the others at a competitive price for the hobbyist user.   Actually seeing and using the Carette has exceeded my expectations of it's buid quality and potential.  It is exceeding quiet and just exudes quality throughout.   It is the closest thing to plug and play there is and it should be a winner in the marketplace.

You owned a Bauer professional compressor and you are saying the Carette is better?   Then why is Joe B still selling the Bauer compressors at 4-5k?    I believe this is a nice compressor for the money but never thought it was better than a Bauer in build quality.

[RAJOD]

Thanks Guykuo. It's WORKING now! I don't have to drive to that paintball place and pay $25 each time. Now to figure out how to charge my steel scuba tank 3442 psi with the right connector and it doesn't have the tank pressure gauge.

The cheapest way to fill that scuba tank is get a din300 to male foster connector.  Depends on the head on the scuba tank.   Some you can convert to female din 300 so you could use the adapter on the top photo for 53.00.

Or you might need the scuba yoke hose (has a gauge) but its 150.00. 
If you trust the gauge on the compressor you can just fill based on its cutoff.

[d.lead.slinger]

Finally had a chance to make the maden run on the Carette.  Setup was quite easy, following this post even though some of the parts were slightly different.  Filled it with fluids and let it run for 15 minutes without a load.  Continued with another 5 minutes at 1800 psi.  Filled my SCUBA tank from 2800 to 3500. Disconnected the tank and let run for an additional 5 minutes with no load.  Worked great.

Two things to note...  the low pressure cylinder gets warmer than the high cylinder, which I found odd. The other is that I can't tell if the cooling water is circulating since I removed all the air from the cooling system.  I dont see a flow indicator but I assume if it wasnt working, I would have had more heat.

[farmerjoe99]

    I have owned a Shoebox Max, Shoebox F8, a full sized Bauer professional compressor, and closely studied the Omega, Nimrodair, Air Venturi, and the Altaros.   The Carette has the most features, is the quietest, least stressed, and more closely resembles a true dive compressor than any of the others at a competitive price for the hobbyist user.   Actually seeing and using the Carette has exceeded my expectations of it's buid quality and potential.  It is exceeding quiet and just exudes quality throughout.   It is the closest thing to plug and play there is and it should be a winner in the marketplace.

You owned a Bauer professional compressor and you are saying the Carette is better?   Then why is Joe B still selling the Bauer compressors at 4-5k?    I believe this is a nice compressor for the money but never thought it was better than a Bauer in build quality.

I believe he is saying the carette has the most features over the omega, air venturi and altaros and most closely resemble his bauer.
Not that its better than the bauer.

[Trigger_Finger]

Thanks Guykuo. It's WORKING now! I don't have to drive to that paintball place and pay $25 each time. Now to figure out how to charge my steel scuba tank 3442 psi with the right connector and it doesn't have the tank pressure gauge.

The cheapest way to fill that scuba tank is get a din300 to male foster connector.  Depends on the head on the scuba tank.   Some you can convert to female din 300 so you could use the adapter on the top photo for 53.00.

Or you might need the scuba yoke hose (has a gauge) but its 150.00. 
If you trust the gauge on the compressor you can just fill based on its cutoff.

Will the AirVenturi scuba yoke that I used to fill from my scuba tank to my Marauder with the K valve which is rated at 3000 psi work?

[d.lead.slinger]

Thanks Guykuo. It's WORKING now! I don't have to drive to that paintball place and pay $25 each time. Now to figure out how to charge my steel scuba tank 3442 psi with the right connector and it doesn't have the tank pressure gauge.

The cheapest way to fill that scuba tank is get a din300 to male foster connector.  Depends on the head on the scuba tank.   Some you can convert to female din 300 so you could use the adapter on the top photo for 53.00.

Or you might need the scuba yoke hose (has a gauge) but its 150.00. 
If you trust the gauge on the compressor you can just fill based on its cutoff.

Will the AirVenturi scuba yoke that I used to fill from my scuba tank to my Marauder with the K valve which is rated at 3000 psi work?

Thats what I am using except mine is a Ninja brand.  Worked fine.

[RAJOD]

Thanks Guykuo. It's WORKING now! I don't have to drive to that paintball place and pay $25 each time. Now to figure out how to charge my steel scuba tank 3442 psi with the right connector and it doesn't have the tank pressure gauge.

The cheapest way to fill that scuba tank is get a din300 to male foster connector.  Depends on the head on the scuba tank.   Some you can convert to female din 300 so you could use the adapter on the top photo for 53.00.

Or you might need the scuba yoke hose (has a gauge) but its 150.00. 
If you trust the gauge on the compressor you can just fill based on its cutoff.

Will the AirVenturi scuba yoke that I used to fill from my scuba tank to my Marauder with the K valve which is rated at 3000 psi work?

Thats what I am using except mine is a Ninja brand.  Worked fine.

I would be careful on that.  Filling from the tank to the gun only requires a 3000 psi rated parts.   But Going from the compressor to the tank requires at least 4500 psi parts.    I would check the ratings, don't go cheap using 3000 psi parts when charging to 4500 psi.   You on a tightrope without a net man. 

[Trigger_Finger]

RAJOD, I thought as long as you set the compressor to 3000 psi limit that it should be okay going to the AirVenturi 3000 psi scuba yoke. I'm waiting for the DIN300 to Foster adapter but it will not have the pressure gauge.

[RAJOD]

RAJOD, I thought as long as you set the compressor to 3000 psi limit that it should be okay going to the AirVenturi 3000 psi scuba yoke. I'm waiting for the DIN300 to Foster adapter but it will not have the pressure gauge.

Oh yes that is fine thought you were filling over 3000.    I thought you also were filling 4500 psi too so could easily get it all mixed up and use 3000 psi line while doing a 4500 psi fill.  If they are all 4500 psi rate then you can screw up and not worry about OOPS.   Yea that would work going to the scuba.   

[Djbriez]

Finally had a chance to make the maden run on the Carette.  Setup was quite easy, following this post even though some of the parts were slightly different.  Filled it with fluids and let it run for 15 minutes without a load.  Continued with another 5 minutes at 1800 psi.  Filled my SCUBA tank from 2800 to 3500. Disconnected the tank and let run for an additional 5 minutes with no load.  Worked great.

Two things to note...  the low pressure cylinder gets warmer than the high cylinder, which I found odd. The other is that I can't tell if the cooling water is circulating since I removed all the air from the cooling system.  I dont see a flow indicator but I assume if it wasnt working, I would have had more heat.

Ok guys...I've got to chime in here....almost every description that I read of the process of filling a bottle already containing some air , I notice an important omission...when filling, before opening the compressor valve, are you waiting until the unit gets equal or greater to the pressure already in the bottle?...or is every one skipping this step?