vintage Pelton air compressor

[bernietech]

I have just acquired a Pelton air compressor. It is powered by a 1/4 hp GE type KH motor. 115 vac, 4.3A, 1725 rpm. GEJ-435, 5KH-45AB55B. the single stage pump is marked1872E and has a rubber cap on it marked with a "W" and says "hubbard". the pressure switch is a square d 1500M12. the tank is horizontal about 10 " dia and about 20 " long. painted flat black and appears to be original. the tank has four welded feet on it. the tank has a tag "Pelton Detroit USA". I will try to post photos tomorrow. any information will be welcomed.

thanks

bernie

[bernietech]

just took some pics and will try to insert them here. the tank is 19" long and a 10" diameter.

hey it worked!!!

thanks for iny info

bernie

[89yt12]

cool compressor

[bernietech]

thanks. before i run it an oil change is in order. i used it for about 10 years to blow dust out of computers in a high school. when i retired it sat for 4 more untill i saved it from the scrap man this past week. they are building a new school and many thing have to go before the move. wish i knew more about it. pelton makes dental equipment, somehow i don't that is what it was made for, unless it was for an elephant dentist!!!!

bernie

[Johnny Spimony]

Originally Posted by bernietech

I have just acquired a Pelton air compressor. It is powered by a 1/4 hp GE type KH motor. 115 vac, 4.3A, 1725 rpm. GEJ-435, 5KH-45AB55B. the single stage pump is marked1872E and has a rubber cap on it marked with a "W" and says "hubbard". the pressure switch is a square d 1500M12. the tank is horizontal about 10 " dia and about 20 " long. painted flat black and appears to be original. the tank has four welded feet on it. the tank has a tag "Pelton Detroit USA". I will try to post photos tomorrow. any information will be welcomed.

thanks

bernie

That's an awesome looking compressor very nice work!

[bernietech]

just tore the unit down. not much more info. #"66" or "99" stamped on top of compressor head. the belt is marked "pelton-model h", must be original. no other markings of any kind. no results on internet searches.

bernie

[bernietech]

just an update. upgraded motor to 1/2 hp, jumped pressures switch to get above 40psi. now going to 60 psi, the limit of my gauge. removed the air intake filter, a pack of 1/4 " oiled felt, interlayered with oilled paper. it had a reducing washer so the air intake was reduced from 1 1/4" to about 3/8" diameter. think I'm going to take the head off and see what I have. I bet leaks as it takes forever to build up any pressure. pump is running around 700 rpm as a educated guess using pulley ratio and a motor speed of 1725 rpm driving a 3" pulley with a 71/4" pulley on the pump. the original 1/4 hp motor had a 2 1/4" pulley. down the road, if i can find and correct any internal air leakage, a new pressure switch, 200 psi gauge, a safety valve and check valve if needed. any thoughts out there???

bernie

[bernietech]

just pulled the head. pics attached.

[bernietech]

I cleaned the reed valves with brake and carb cleaner, made a new head gasket. assymbled with two thin coats of permatex #2 non-hardning on the gasket. now I am tracking down plumping leaks with soapy water. how long should it take for a tank to leak down? in an ideal world ther should be no leaks and the tank pressure should stay at a level indefinately. what is an acceptable level of leakage? I know I still have some known leaks to fix. with tank at 100 psi it dropped to 80 psi in about 2 hrs. overnight it dropped to 10 psi in 14 hrs.

thanks

bernie

[cedgo]

Was a pipefitter in an earlier life. When I put my home system together, and I ran air lines several places, I vowed to have no leaks. Didn't happen. Seems no matter what you do, there's going to be some bleed-off.
However, your bleed-off seems to be a little excessive.
Usually at the end of the day, I just shut the main valve on the tank off.
Pressure will stay pretty much indefinately.