RidgeRunner Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hi all, I'm not very technical and so I have to appeal to those who know. My AS-18, which is about four years old, has started making clonking noises and now struggles to maintain pressure, sitting constantly at around 1 bar no matter how I adjust the pressure. What could the problem be, please? Thanks. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter96 Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Hello. I would take an educated guess that the compressor motor is on its way out. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, if this turns out to be the case. Cheers. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little-cars Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Four years is a good age for a chinese compressor, I usually assume 2 years. Probably time to buy a new one, my guess is that it'll probably cost more to repair it than to buy a replacement. Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 (edited) Thanks chaps. Not the best news but at least I know. So, what do I replace it with? I use a simple Badger 200. Martin 1 minute ago, RidgeRunner said: Thanks chaps. Not the best news but at least I know. So, what do I replace it with? I use a simple Badger 200. Martin Any thoughts, Giorgio? @Giorgio N Edited April 17, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 Sorry, I don't really know this compressor so I can only throw some wild guess. The motor as mentioned could be at the end of its life, or maybe it's one of the valves. In any case with these chinese products it's very likely that Paul is right, repairing could be more expensive than replacing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 5 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: Thanks chaps. Not the best news but at least I know. So, what do I replace it with? I use a simple Badger 200. Martin Any thoughts, Giorgio? @Giorgio N Cough, I think there is a site member from little-cars, Paul, who is generally known as a good and honest font of Airbrush knowledge....and selling products in support of the said need.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 (edited) @little-cars ? Edited April 17, 2018 by RidgeRunner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krow113 Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 (edited) A small portable jobsite compresser may be a better idea. Second hand shops , pawn shops , boot sales , private sales etc . Could be better than 'renting' new ones every 2-4 years. Edited April 17, 2018 by krow113 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLC1966 Posted April 17, 2018 Share Posted April 17, 2018 56 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said: @little-cars ? 3rd post on this thread https://www.modellingtools.co.uk/little-cars-154-c.asp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 17, 2018 Author Share Posted April 17, 2018 ta Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 @little-cars and @Giorgio N I fear that my old Chinese compressor will fail on me very soon. Subsequent to the above it is now sounding very sad. So, what do I get to replace it? My use is with a Badger 200. I don't use it daily. In fact some weeks it doesn't get turned on at all! I need a small but appropriate compressor that we take my airbrush (which I like) easily. Simple to use. Compact. I'd appreciate your thought so that I can get going on a new purchase! Thank you Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgio N Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Personally I'm using the compressor sold by Italeri. It's nothing special but when I investigated the product I was told that whoever make them for Italeri have a good reputation. Looking at yours I have to say that the AS-18 is heavily inspired by mine... I know that compressors mostly look similar but some of the details look identical. I've had mine for 8 years now and never had a problem. I also have a Badger 200 and have used this with the compressor without any issues, however IIRC I had to buy an adaptor (paid something like €4 for it). Really though I'm not an expert on compressors, I'm sure Paul and others know more on the subject and will be able to give you some good advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bozothenutter Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 is SIl-AIR still around? yes they are! http://www.silentaire.com/silentaire/index.asp I have an older one (20+ years)...a bit like the supersilent 20 but without the housing en a tube that doubles as handle and tank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 18, 2018 Author Share Posted April 18, 2018 Having looked around a bit I think I'll go for another AS18...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmwh548 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 Why AS18 and not an upgrade to AS189 or even 196? The tank would translate into less strain on the motor, especially if the painting sessions are a bit longer. Just remember to drain it once a month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spruecutter96 Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 27 minutes ago, bmwh548 said: Why AS18 and not an upgrade to AS189 or even 196? The tank would translate into less strain on the motor, especially if the painting sessions are a bit longer. Just remember to drain it once a month. I would echo this advice very whole-hearedly. I bought a cheap-and-cheerful, Chinese compressor off E-Bay a few years and managed to drain about a half-litre of very rusty water out of it... I was not impressed with the previous owner, suffice to say. Regular draining (using the vent on the underside of the air-tank) should help keep the compressor healthy and happy. Cheers. Chris. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C1Rob Posted April 18, 2018 Share Posted April 18, 2018 I just recently got a AS189 and can only say that i like it so far. Draining needs to be done on any compressor with tank so that needs to be kept in mind anyways nomather what brand you buy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 19, 2018 Author Share Posted April 19, 2018 Thanks Rob. I’ve gone for another AS18. It is the post :). It served me well across the past 4+ years so I think it will be fine. For £53 i couldn’t go wrong Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted April 19, 2018 Author Share Posted April 19, 2018 On 18/04/2018 at 11:15 AM, bmwh548 said: Why AS18 and not an upgrade to AS189 or even 196? The tank would translate into less strain on the motor, especially if the painting sessions are a bit longer. Just remember to drain it once a month. Sorry but I saw your message too late. Having said that I think the AS18 will still serve me okay forvthe anount i use and the price i paid. I appeciate the though. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AdriaN (MLT) Posted May 8, 2018 Share Posted May 8, 2018 On 4/17/2018 at 2:26 PM, little-cars said: Four years is a good age for a chinese compressor, I usually assume 2 years. Probably time to buy a new one, my guess is that it'll probably cost more to repair it than to buy a replacement. Paul My one has been pumping away since 2009! 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidgeRunner Posted May 8, 2018 Author Share Posted May 8, 2018 39 minutes ago, AdriaN (MLT) said: My one has been pumping away since 2009! 😁 lucky you ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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