How to Adjust Your Compressor Air Pressure Switch

Have you had air compressor problems ? Do you think it needs to be replaced or maybe it needs an air compressor repair? Air compressors can usually put up 110-120 psi which is necessary when needing to inflate large truck tires Or use air tools. But if you observed that your old air compressor does not seem to get to its usual 120 psi, then no worries because maybe it only needs the air compressor pressure switch to be adjusted.
If you have been monitoring your old compressor because it’s starting to make loud noises and seems to have difficulty reaching its usual pressure, the only way you can help it is by adjusting the compressor pressure switch to a lower level so that it doesn’t need to reach the high psi requirement and make it not work so hard to maintain its pressure.
Air compressors come in 4 different types: reciprocating, centrifugal, rotary-screw, and rotary vane and all of them have mechanical parts that work hard during operation. But just like our cars, as our air compressors get old, their parts also weaken and reduce their capacity to work hard.
So if you hear those loud noises inside your air compressor, don’t worry it’s not about to break in half. It just means that the usual air pressure that it previously reached can hardly be managed and the better way to help your machine is to lower its air capacity by adjusting its air compressor pressure switch to a lower level.
In this video, I’m going to show you how the air compressor pressure switch adjustment is being done. Though I do not recommend air compressor pressure switch adjustment because the consequence to your machine can be unpredictable, my point in this video is you can only do this compressor pressure switch adjustment if your unit is already experiencing difficulties in reaching up to its usual high psi.
I have also taught you here how to deal with compressor pressure switch adjustment by using only a screwdriver and no need for an air expensive compressor repair. What benefits your air compressor can get when lowering the air pressure requirement thru adjustment is, your machine won’t need to work hard and it might prolong your old air compressor life span a bit.

[@tommycodfish]

You crack me up with laughter. We need more people like you. Awesome stuff

[@petestools]

Thanks mate

[@CPM994]

My compressor would continuously run to max PSI until the over flow valve went off then repeat to max PSI again over and over. Thanks for your advise - I have loosened the main screw and works perfectly now. Cheers mate.

[@petestools]

Cheers Craig

[@not-pc6937]

Great tips as always Pete 👍cheers from across the ditch

[@petestools]

Thanks 👍

[@AndysDogHouse]

Hey Pete. Good video. Thanks for sharing.🍁👍👍

[@petestools]

Cheers Mate

[@donaldhalls2189]

No worries mate all the best to you and your loved ones

[@petestools]

Hope your well your side of the ditch mate

[@cockasorrus7475]

Much of a muchness 😂 Anti clockwise 🤔😆 Thanks mate‼️ Great info once I gathered the dialect 🤙🏻😁 My 60 gallon is popping off at 160-165. The pop off safety valve is blowing off sometimes and sometimes it just bleeds off slowly hissing out to 150-155. I was just going to buy a new pressure switch, however, I think it may just need a slight reduction of pressure to rectify the issue. Happy thanksgiving 🍁

[@petestools]

Nice work!

[@C-M-E]

I just scored a very gently used 26 gallon (~98Liters if my math is half right) compressor to upgrade my new projects that needed a little TLC. It too was leaking and the previous owner was kind enough to throw in a much nicer pressure switch to replace the one that was leaky. He didn't seem to mind too much when I let him know that the switch was probably fine but had some gum from built up oil vapor blow-by on his check valve that was bleeding air into the switch. He admitted he didn't know all that much about them but sold it to me nonetheless. Stand-up guy! Anyway, if your big tank has some mileage, definitely worth pulling your check valve and giving it a once over to keep the ol' girl punching in her weight class. 😁

[@petestools]

Great tip cheers

[@JimmyNZC]

NIce one Pete

[@petestools]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Tristoo]

right. I watched your videos on the plasma pilot arc, and apparently you just make really cool videos. subbed. also, it feels good not to be treated like a baby for once. it seems every last thing and person these days treats grown ass men like children. to the point I'm surprised drills don't come with a "don't use on your skull" warning yet. I like your approach of "here's something you *can* do but you *should not* do and if you do it wrong you *might die*". Keep em comin, and thank you!

[@petestools]

Hi yea your not wrong my friend . I just say it how it is .Thanks for watching

[@jeepinspence]

Think I have a bad or sticky pressure switch, or maybe even on/off assembly on my 6 yo Craftsman 3gal 1 hp unit. I bought a whole new switch but the small copper pipe inlet is 90* away from where it should be. My question is are these switches rebuildable? It feels like the the on off handle itself it working intermittently when I move it back and forth...make sense? I'd rather repair than to replace and have to rerun the copper tubing. Thanks!

[@petestools]

Hi Brent anything can be rebuild if you have the time and energy. But for the cost i would just buy new mate.

[@836dmar]

Good info Pete but where is the leak coming from? Looks to be bleeding down pretty quickly. I’ll bet that ole girl can be made to run for many more years for much less than a new Chinese compressor. Great info!

[@petestools]

Yea mate your not wrong .

[@nohablaespanolloadsamunny3797]

Its leaking from the viton capsule in the three way valve. Either turn the capsule (pastule) around, stretch the pressure spring, or replace the three way valve. Cost is less than $10us money.

[@petestools]

Show your support for my channel by treating me to a coffee! www.buymeacoffee.com/petestools

[@hudsoncrothers3256]

Thanks for your video. My safety valve kept releasing at 10 bar. Wound the screw back to 8 bar. problem fixed. Just wasted an hour going to the shop and asking where to get it repaired. I should have watched your video first.

[@petestools]

Lol