Air compressor question

Cannons powered by pneumatic pressure (compressed gas) using a valve or other release.
josestude
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I was looking to add more air to my next gun. It is just a simple 1/2 PVC ball valve design. Instead of using a Schroeder valve, I was going to just get a male air compressor connector and directly connect it to my tank so I will always have air. Is this safe, or will the air from the compressor keep flowing into my yank until it explodes?
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jackssmirkingrevenge
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The air in the tank can never exceed the pressure in the compressor chamber, which means if your compressor fills to 150 psi and your chamber can take 250 psi you should be quite safe. If in doubt, fit a pop-off safety valveto your tank ;)
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clemsonguy1125
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If your worried you can buy a 20 dollar regulator from lowes for your compressor if it does not already have one.
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saefroch
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Unless your compressor is a fridgy, it will probably overheat if you run it too long. Many compressors aren't designed to run continuously, and have components (probably seals and oil) that will melt or maybe even burn. I ran into this issue running a cloud off a large chamber connected to a compressor a while back. The compressor was old, the smoke had nothing to do with it, of course. :roll:
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@saefroch, shop compressors shut off automatically, so overheating won't be a problem.

@jose, add a ball valve on the gun between the chamber and connection to the compressor. A ball valve on the compressor line doesn't hurt either.
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saefroch
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Is it a shop compressor? I know the one I used didn't shut off automatically...
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Mine shuts off when it approaches or achieves the max pressure.
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josestude
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Yes its a shop compressor so it shuts off when it reaches a desired pressure. I also have a bostich nailing compressor that I could use. Its used to being run for long amounts of time.
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josestude wrote:I was looking to add more air to my next gun. It is just a simple 1/2 PVC ball valve design. Instead of using a Schroeder valve, I was going to just get a male air compressor connector and directly connect it to my tank so I will always have air. Is this safe, or will the air from the compressor keep flowing into my yank until it explodes?

why are you filling up a american? :D
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Technician1002
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Most shop compressors have a regulator included with them. Normally the male fitting is installed on the air tool and the female fitting which has a built in shut off stops flow from the compressor. The difficulty is when filling a chamber, you either need a shut off valve or check valve to prevent loss of air when disconnected.

Here is an example; The female fitting is on the hose, the male and a 1/4 inch shut off valve is on the chamber.
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