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compressor

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 11:18 am
by roughboy
I've read in this forum that you can mod the compressor in your refrigerator to be able to pump your air cannon. What about a air conditioner compressor. can it work too? and how much pressure can it make?

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 12:29 pm
by psycix
If your airco system has an compressor, then you probably can. Just take it out, make sure to figure out how the electricity is feeded, as you need this later on to power the pump. Most fridge compressors can plug into the wall outlet directly. Some may need a capacitor or circuit board in order to work.

Then connect the outlet of the compressor to a quick connect using a compression fitting and you're done!

As you would (as far as I know) be the first one to try an airco compressor, you will be the first one to answer: "how much pressure can it make?"

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 2:52 pm
by ramses
psycix wrote:feeded
fed?

anyway, it should work, and it may be more durable because an AC unit runs for longer than a fridge. It should also have more flow, as AC requires the cooling of more than a fridge.

Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 4:05 pm
by POLAND_SPUD
now... I assume that you know that fridge compressors are good up to 500 - 600 psi... I know that we use them a little bit above their working pressures but it's generally acepted it's safe...

some time ago I've asked ralphd (who repairs AC systems for living or somethign like that) whether an AC compressor would be able to give more pressure than a fridge compressor...

he replied that fridge compressors should be good up to 150 psi and AC compressors up to 300 psi... that is of course based on his knowledge as a person trained to operate and repair such things.. this suggest that in theory AC compressors should give you twice the pressure..

if you want to experiment with it go for it but play safe and start with lower pressures first, don't forget about some sort of safety valve or a rupture disk etc.


feel free to browse the forum ther is a lot of info here.. half a year ago there was a thread where someone mentioned that he had converted an AC compressor long time ago but I can't find a link at the moment and I don't remember his name