Aztek AC1 compressor, Louder Than Life Bursts

[PoopaScoop]

I just bought a Aztek AC1 compressor from ebay.
I'm new to airbrushing so don't know much of what I'm doing.
The air compressor makes a horribly loud pressurized air burst once it auto stops & does it every time. ~It keeps scaring the crap out of me as I forget about it as I'm drawn into my work. Can someone tell me what possibly could be the problem or I'll just have to keep changing my pants...
I can't find any information on it anywhere.
I don't know if it make difference but, the guy who mailed it stuck the message "This Way Up" the wrong way up on the package and I guess it's been jolted upside down for the last 2 days and as a result it leak some oil. Though the Oil is still at the right height, on the indicator.
Thanks.

[honeybear]

I don't have any personal experience with that compressor, however I don't think that a loud pop would be normal. If it is new you could write to Testors about the problem. It has a 2 year warranty.

http://www.testors.com/

You also might contact Sparmax as they manufacture the compressor and put the Azteck name on it.

It it is a used compressor I think you just found out why the seller got rid of it.

Regards,
Jerry

Originally Posted by PoopaScoop

I just bought a Aztek AC1 compressor from ebay.
I'm new to airbrushing so don't know much of what I'm doing.
The air compressor makes a horribly loud pressurized air burst once it auto stops & does it every time. ~It keeps scaring the crap out of me as I forget about it as I'm drawn into my work. Can someone tell me what possibly could be the problem or I'll just have to keep changing my pants...
I can't find any information on it anywhere.
I don't know if it make difference but, the guy who mailed it stuck the message "This Way Up" the wrong way up on the package and I guess it's been jolted upside down for the last 2 days and as a result it leak some oil. Though the Oil is still at the right height, on the indicator.
Thanks.

[waycool]

Is the compressor new or used?, it sounds like the pressure relief valve to me.

[PoopaScoop]

I bought it 2nd hand. I think the relief valve (which is under the Filter right?) got clogged with oil, and is supposed to auto relive air?
I think it's a really old model though it's stats hold up well for a modern model...
Aztek AC1

ON OFFER THE AZTEK AC1 COMPRESSOR PROVIDES A CONSTANT SUPPLY OF PULSE FREE AIR WHICH CAN BE REGULATED TO THE DESIRED PRESSURE AND IS VIBRATION FREE AND WILL DELIVER UP TO 80 PSI (6 BAR) QUIETLY YOU WOULD HARDLY KNOW IT WAS RUNNING IT HAS A AIR PRESSURE REGULATOR AND GAUGE A MOISTURE TRAP ON AIR OUTLET 30 db/1m AIR RESERVOIR- 1 LITRE 135 WATT MOTOR 17 LITRE / FREE AIR OUTPUT (0.7 c.f.m) CONTINUOUS RUNNING WITH PRESSURE SWITCH 14 INCH BSP OUTLET THREAD, HEIGHT 360MM, LENGTH 390MM, AND WIDTH 195MM ITS OVER 17KG SO POSTAGE COST ARE HIGH (£25 UK ONLY OR CAN BE COLLECTED FROM ME IN ORMSKIRK LANCS) IT HAS BEEN USED BUT ITS IN A LOVELY CONDITION ON OFFER WITH NO RESERVE

Thanks For your help guys

[Airbrush Dreams]

It is the compressor spilling off the back pressure in the piston chamber, so when it starts up again it is not trying to compress already compressed air trapped in the piston chamber. I am sure some compresses are louder than others, but the sound is normal. If this didn't happen the piston would not be able to make the next compression stroke and brake the piston rod and do other damage as well.

[fontgeek]

I would also write or email the person you bought this from, and tell them what it is doing, and find out if that was normal, or if something had been adjusted differently. It does sound like a pressure relief valve doing it's thing though.
If that is the normal run for this compressor, why not just put the compressor in a different room, and run a hose to where you are working?

Their original listing says that it is so quiet you'll hardly know it's on, for that reason I would ask the previous owner about it first.

[theairbrushguy]

Hey if your not happy with the compressor and seeing that you bought it on ebay, there are actions that you can take. I dont know what you paid but if you are unhappy, return it or contact the seller and let them know what is up. Most of the time they are very concerned about their seller rating and therefore will work with you to make sure that you give them a positive rating. I bought a back up compressor on ebay and it was soaked with oil and needed a complete cleaning to work properly and the seller refunded me half the cost to get it into working shape.
Let them know whats up. Dont settle for something that may not work properly.
Good luck.
TABG

www.theairbrushguys.com