PAGE 5 of 6 - New Compressor on the Block - Hacking a Refrigerator to use the Air Compressor
This air compressor from the small refrigerator is just perfect for the job!
About a week ago I began cleaning a warehouse that will become my new lab. Inside i had 2 old and busted refrigerators which i used as storage boxes. I decided to throw them away but i removed first the two motors. Both motors worked perfectly fine - so i said, why not?
I do not know much about refrigerators and cooling cycle in general, but i still can understand how this thing works and how to wire the motor. Two wires goes to the mains, two to the thermostat contact. I only had to bridge the thermostat wires and the motors runs as soon as i plug it into the 220V.
The only problem was that the compressor output had this damn lame 5mm copper tube and i could only find 4 and 6mm connectors. So here is what i did to couple the motor with the pneumatics:
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| First I used some teflon tape to increase the outside diameter of the 5mm copper tube |
Some chemical pneumatic sealing will do the job! |
The 8mm hose now snugly fits into the copper tube |
Two fixing collars will definitely hold the hose in place and ensure an air-tight connection. |
Connecting the Air Pressure Switch
Ok, its time to connect the pneumatic parts on the air chamber. The air pressure switch has 4 inputs from which i will utilize 3 of them, one for the air chamber, one as the compressor output and one for the safety pressure relief valve:
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| I will use a 1/4 male to male connector to connect the pressure switch with the tank |
This little red thing on the right side is the pressure relief valve |
It has the same 1/4BSP threads so it is connected directly onto the pressure valve |
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| I will seal the third output. I will not use this one. |
Finally, an L quick-connect for 8mm hose is the final part. |
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The pressure switch with all the parts then goes to the output of the tank. Note that there is an 8mm quick-fix input on the other side of the tank. This is where the hose from the compressor goes... | |
Comments
At 7 July 2014, 9:47:00 user daniel wrote: [reply @ daniel]I have published post about homemade airbrush compressor http://www.myairbrushcompressors.com/how-to-build-a-cheap-airbrush-compressor-using-refrigerator-parts/
Opinion?
At 29 January 2013, 6:51:41 user Giorgos Lazaridis wrote: [reply @ Giorgos Lazaridis]@Nikos i've got the system but i have not installed it yet.
At 28 January 2013, 13:39:37 user Nikos wrote: [reply @ Nikos]Has automatic system to turn on while you use it to refill or you turn on manually?
At 28 September 2012, 5:16:50 user Air Compressor wrote: [reply @ Air Compressor]I appreciate your interest to make equipment. Many companies give illustrated explanations about air compressors.
At 18 September 2012, 10:59:44 user Giorgos Lazaridis wrote: [reply @ Giorgos Lazaridis]@George Actually, i'm building my pneumatic solder paste dispenser. My next addition will be the smd pick-and-place, for which i already have the pump (USD4) and a manual dispenser (USD 2) which i will hack. Both the solder paste dispenser and the pick and place will be housed under the same box, will have the same foot pedal for operation, and will have a switch to choose which one i currently use.
At 18 September 2012, 6:12:25 user George wrote: [reply @ George]Het Kam, whilst you are building your smd 'picker', here's a cheap one you could use, looks like it's using a modified fish aquarium pump for the vacuum
http://www.goodluckbuy.com/cosmo-12000-air-pump-vacuum-suction-pen-ic-smd-pick-up-and-place-pen.html |
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