A Close Call or Never Trust the Auto-Shutoff Feature of an Air Compressor!

[Steelontarget]

Yesterday, I found out what it might be like to have a time bomb in your hands!

Never trust the auto-shutoff feature of an air compressor.  I have the Vevor portable air compressor.  I got it in October and it has never failed me, till yesterday.

After connecting the air rifle to the compressor and getting it started to fill up the air rifle, I went about my merry business, setting up targets, selecting pellets, making a nature call and looking at some notes.  Then I checked the pressure.

The pressure indicating needle was up against the pressure limiting needle (2700 psi) with the compressor still running.  However, the pressure gauge on the air rifle was at the top end of the red arc (4000 psi)!  That’s when I almost had another nature call!

The compressor was turned off, bleed valve opened, and rifle disconnected.

I dry-fired the rifle to get the pressure back down then investigated the matter with the compressor.

I put a test plug in the hose and ran the compressor.  Each time the auto-shutoff failed. 

I called Vevor customer service today and they asked me to text them a video showing the malfunction.  However, I could not duplicate the problem.

The only difference between today and yesterday is the humidity.  The weather app said yesterday’s humidity was at 100%.  There was condensation on everything.

So, I’m guessing that there was moisture accumulating on the circuit board or other circuitry causing problems.  With the lack of condensation today, there isn't any moisture to cause the electronics problems.

The big lesson learned, for me at least, is to never trust the auto-shutoff feature.  Even though it’s working fine now, I will be watching the pressure on the air gun and making sure the compressor is shut off in time to prevent an accident.

BTW, I know there is a pressure relief disk on the air rifle's tank but with my luck that might have failed as well if I didn't catch the problem in time.

[ranchibi]

Oh my goodness that's SCARY! Mike, glad nothing happened...it is a lesson for all of us to be aware when using, filling or anything high pressure related with PCP's! Happy Holidays and stay safe!

[bigHUN]

I have the Auto-Shutoff but I never leave, two hours refill doesn't matter, I never leave it running without supervision. Also wearing glasses and earmuffs. If I need to leave I shot it down to cool as well.

[AlanMcD]

That is part of the reason that I run my Shoebox with a timed outlet - it'can't overfill if the power is shut off.  I do almost all my fills anymore into my Guppy tank, and I get almost exactly a 33 psi increase for every minute of run time.  That makes it so easy to set the run time so that it can't overfill . . . 3 minutes for every 100 psi I want to add to the tank.

This is a case where a little slower fill is actually advantageous!

[Steelontarget]

That is part of the reason that I run my Shoebox with a timed outlet - it'can't overfill if the power is shut off.  I do almost all my fills anymore into my Guppy tank, and I get almost exactly a 33 psi increase for every minute of run time.  That makes it so easy to set the run time so that it can't overfill . . . 3 minutes for every 100 psi I want to add to the tank.

This is a case where a little slower fill is actually advantageous!

The timed outlet sounds like a good idea.  Can you elaborate?  What sort of timer are you using?

[miksatx]

What no burst disc on the unit?

[Steelontarget]

What no burst disc on the unit?

I don't know about the unit but I thought that the AirForce guns have a burst disc that's designed into the pressure gauge on the air tank.  Correct?

[miksatx]

I don't know about the unit but I thought that the AirForce guns have a burst disc that's designed into the pressure gauge on the air tank.  Correct?

Not sure about the airforce guns. But I checked out a site with the compressor you have. It says it has a burst disc on the unit. Now one has to wonder what pressure is for the disc. I didn’t make it back in time to my xisico and it blew a disc still scary.

[JimD]

When I filled my guns from my Yong Heng it filled them so fast I had no desire to be any were else.  A minute or two.  Seconds for the Prod.  I was afraid at first to even fill the Prod with it but learned it was safe but I definitely had to pay attention.  Now I fill my SCBA tanks and then fill the guns with that.  A refill takes maybe 15 minutes.  I still just stand there and watch it.  I make sure the temperature doesn't get high but the radiator effectively prevents that.  I think the temperature gauge failed during my last fill but I haven't fixed it.  I pretty much know the compressor will not overheat during a refill.  But I watch to be sure the bleed valve is tight enough on the compressor and the fill set on the tank.  Even a little leak, usually on the compressor, and block a full fill.

Putting the compressor on a timer is still a decent idea, however.  I had a simple one on a whole house fan years ago, they must still sell things like that.  I would set the compressor to run for an amount of time I know it can't overheat and then I could be freed up for a few minutes.  But if a valve leaks or something the tank won't be full and I'd have to repeat.

[DLP]

My old SB MAXX blows burst disk if I am not watching it. Now I set the timer on my watch to remind me to keep checking the pressure. I like the idea of a 110 timer.

[AlanMcD]

The timed outlet sounds like a good idea.  Can you elaborate?  What sort of timer are you using?

I use one like this: 

They can be used multiple ways, but I set it as a countdown timer and you can set it for any duration in hours/minutes up to 24 hours.  Simply key in the minutes it should take to fill the tank, with 3 minutes per 100 psi . . . . works great!  I have no worries about ever having an overfill situation - worst case something happens and it under fills or leaks down when unattended, but that has not happened.  It works perfectly.

[Firewalker]

I am MUCH to paranoid to step away for a second. I have the YH in my shop bathroom (where if something RUD's, it's contained) and I am outside it and will check every few minutes. If the auto-off fails, I wont go overpressure very much. BTW-I fill guns from tanks, tanks get filled by the compressor.

[AlanMcD]

I used to be a bit paranoid, but the Shoebox is so rock solid that I'm not anymore - plus there is no risk of it cooking itself either.  It just works.

I routinely fire mine up, double check that everything is hooked up and filling OK, then go about my business.  Sometimes I watch something on TV, sometimes I do other chores like mowing the lawn.  On occasion, I have forgotten about it and remembered hours after it is done - no worries.  It just sits there and waits for me to vent it and unhook it.  It is the perfect tank filling machine!

About the worst thing that could happen is that the cylinder o-rings fail and then it just sits there cycling with no increase in pressure - but since I set a timer, it can't run more than the allotted time anyways . . . which is typically around 30 mins or so.

[XJOCK21]

Scuba shop here in E BOCA RATON Filled tank for $5 yesterday.     I’m having an issue with my bolt on Gauntlet.22 PCP.   Will not go all the way back I can we get the magazine and do you have any common knowledge about this issue and it’s a pretty big issue because I still haven’t put it through its paces yet if you could get back to me please better yet can you text me that would be even better.    Cell # 561 405 8528.    Mike

[XJOCK21]

Yes Sir or ma’am please get back to me on this issue I’m having in regards to my 22 caliber PCP Uma Rex Gauntlet and Rifle just got the thing yesterday I got everything together all uncle all the way back I can you get the tank lit magazine in there what the heck is going on anybody know question I think I know the answer but please get back to me pretty freaking port Nagasaki rifle through it so passenger thank you very much Mike.

[Wayne52]

When the dive shop closed down that I use to go to to fill my two one hour SCBA tanks is when I finally broke down and bought my F10 Shoebox, it's been one of the most reliable airgun related tools that I've ever owned and is set to shut off at 4200psi.  I did see yesterday that there's an F8 Shoebox for sale in the classifieds and if I didn't already have my F10 I would have jumped on it.  The F8 has probably been sold by now.

[avator]

I never leave any of my compressors while they are running... Stuff happens and it's happened to me.
I put one of those timers that Alan linked in my cart (adding things to get free shipping) but, I wonder if it's 15a/1800 watts will be enough for a compressor.... I guess we'll see. I know my MKII compressor requires 20a minimum.

[azgman]

I would not trust that timer (or a 15A wall socket for that matter) for a 20 Amp load. I am sure it will work, for a while, but then ?? I would want a fuse or circuit breaker for protection.

[avator]

Yes but, I may have other uses for it.... 

[avator]

I have a 15a power strip that my YH has kicked out a couple times.