A powerful compressor for painting your car yourself. How to make a good compressor with your own hands at home? Some technical features

Portable air compressor, low noise, consuming relatively little electricity - this is probably the dream of every owner of a private house, cottage, garage, or small business. Well, it is quite possible to make a mobile compressed air installation yourself, for example, by taking part of the old equipment household refrigerator. Each refrigeration unit has a built-in compressor. If you remove this part and add accessories, you will get an air compressor from a refrigerator compressor.

Before deciding to implement an idea, it is advisable to decide exactly: is this idea really worth taking on? Let's look at a few important aspects to the topic in order to help future designers make the right decision:

not intended for use with air.
The compressor performance of domestic refrigerators is low.
To lubricate the mechanism of refrigeration compressors, special oil is required.

The corresponding conclusions follow from this. When working with air, the device will not be able to function for a long time without good cooling.

When a refrigeration compressor operates with freon, the housing is cooled due to other temperature parameters of the refrigerant.

Compression of the air mixture by a refrigeration compressor occurs under completely different temperature conditions, which will lead to an increase in operating temperature by an order of magnitude. Ultimately, without good cooling, the compressor will simply burn out.

A burnt-out refrigerator compressor as a result of a violation of technological operating conditions. The same fate awaits the device that is supposed to be used in the project, if you do not use special means protection

The low performance of home refrigeration units is another factor limiting the use of such equipment for producing compressed air.

For example, to pump a 5-liter receiver to a pressure of 5-7 atm, it will take at least 15-20 minutes of operation of the refrigeration unit.

Meanwhile, this volume of air is not enough even to inflate a car tire or spray paint one wall in one sitting. small room garage.

Poor performance of the refrigerator system is common for such equipment. But for an air compression system, especially with a high flow rate, a high-performance system is required

Finally, another important factor is compressor oil. To lubricate the mechanism of refrigeration compressors, a special freon oil is used, the properties of which change dramatically in contact with air.

If you do not change the oil to another type of lubricant that is structurally friendly to air, after a certain time the compressor mechanism will simply “close up” due to rapid wear of parts.

DIY design

So, if, despite all the noted nuances, the decision is made to assemble from the refrigerator, you can proceed directly to action.

Approximately this design should result from the implementation of the conceived idea. In appearance there are no complaints. The device looks more than flawless and quite impressive

The first step is to collect everything necessary details project equipment:

Air receiver.
Oil separator.
Differential pressure switch.
Copper tube.
Inlet air filter.
Shut-off control and control valves.

A compressed air cylinder from a KAMAZ vehicle is optimally suited for the air receiver. The five-liter capacity is suitable for a domestic environment dimensions and meets the requirements for pressure vessels.

It is best to equip a home compressor made from a refrigerator with one of the cylinders that are used on KAMAZ truck tractors. These vessels comply with Rostechnadzor standards

An oil separator design option that is recommended for use as part of the installation. For reliable operation of the system, high-quality separation of oil from air is required.

A differential pressure switch (for example, from the RT series) is used from among those used in industrial refrigeration units.

Copper tube is available in sufficient quantities in the design of the condenser of a domestic refrigerator. Its diameter matches the outlet pipe of the refrigerator compressor.

An air filter at the compressor inlet can be easily made from any suitable plastic container by placing a regular foam sponge inside. Shut-off control and control valves - valves, check valve, pressure gauges - can be bought in the store.

Air unit assembly

Air receiver (for example, air tank from a KAMAZ vehicle) are mounted on a chassis made of metal corner. Additionally, it is recommended to install a pair of wheels on the chassis for ease of movement, a support “leg” and a handle.

A platform for installing a refrigerator compressor and a mounting bracket are fixed above the upper area of the cylinder differential relay pressure. An oil separator is attached to the side of the receiver, through a clamp and an outlet fitting.

DIY oil separator. For fastening, one clamp with a bracket is used on the left side of the separator, and the right part is attached to the fitting of the receiver inlet pipe

An air filter must be installed on the inlet pipe of the refrigerator compressor. An air filter is required to reduce the entry of foreign particles present in the air into the system.

An air filter can be easily made from any plastic container by attaching it through an angle threaded transition to the inlet pipe.

Air filter on the inlet pipe of the unit. It’s easy to make one with your own hands from a suitable plastic containers. There is a foam sponge inside the filter housing

The outlet pipe of the compressor is connected through a compensation copper tube-heat exchanger to the inlet fitting of the separator (oil separator). The outlet pipe of the separator is connected to the receiver through an angle adapter.

A tee and (compressed air outlet) are installed at the outlet of the receiver. Through the tee taps, the receiver output is additionally communicated copper tubes with differential relay and pressure gauge. A safety valve is also installed there.

Electrical part and principle of operation

The electrical circuit diagram actually remains untouched, with the exception of minor changes. That is, the compressor from the refrigerator was powered from the mains alternating current through the start relay, so this option is left unchanged.

Another question is that the circuit can be slightly modernized. For example, supplement it with a switch installed on the body of the assembled installation. Still, this option is more convenient than periodically plugging and unplugging the plug from the socket every time you use the device in action.

This design does not provide a separate power switch. The compressor is connected to the network with a two-wire cord with a plug through the contact group of the pressure switch

Also, the voltage supply circuit to the compressor must be configured taking into account the inclusion of the contact group of the differential pressure switch.

Due to this configuration, the device will turn off immediately after reaching the set air pressure limit. That's all. The air compressor from the refrigerator can be considered done.

Some notes on the project

A fire extinguisher for a receiver for a home compressed air unit must be selected taking into account a three-fold pressure reserve. Powder OT canister is not the best choice

Fire extinguisher cylinders are often used as a receiver for homemade projects. Meanwhile, the containers of powder fire extinguishers have a low limit of the maximum permissible operating pressure (8-12 atm.).

In addition, such vessels are subject to mandatory inspection after a certain period of time by the relevant authorities. If you still take a fire extinguisher vessel under the receiver, then vessels from carbon dioxide systems can be considered an acceptable option.

Finally, the most important point. Such designs, in fact, should be registered with Rostechnadzor, since the assembly contains a vessel operating under a pressure of more than 0.07 MPa ( operating pressure installations 10 atm.).

Owners of unregistered homemade air compressors may well be held accountable (administrative and even criminal), as soon as something extraordinary happens during the operation of the equipment that threatens the life and health of people.

So you should think a thousand times before trying to assemble an air compressor from a refrigerator compressor with your own hands.

Practice assembling a compressed air installation

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The compressor is a universal unit that has found quite wide application both in large production and in small workshops. It is also installed on various cars and special equipment. That is why the question of how to create a Zilov compressor is of great interest to many craftsmen who want to save money on purchasing this device.

Household use

To begin with, it should be said that such products will not be very productive, and their production may require high costs. However, there are a lot of application options that make you look for material on how to make a compressor with your own hands from a Zilov compressor.

First of all, such a device is perfect for inflating car tires.
Also, such a unit can be used to work with some low-power pneumatic tools.
Most often, these products are used in workshops for applying paint to surfaces. The fact is that if there is a volumetric receiver, they can work for quite a long time and create the pressure necessary for this.
Some specialists use such units in blacksmithing and other industries. The main thing that specifications corresponded to the specified parameters.

Automobile compressor

Novice craftsmen often ask the question of why this particular part is worth purchasing in order to create a compressor with your own hands. they consider the car to be obsolete, and the units installed on it to be worn out. However, it is immediately worth noting that in our country this particular part is the easiest to find, and its cost directly depends on the condition. At the same time, the simplicity of manufacturing this unit allows for basic repairs and greatly simplifies maintenance.

Also, making a compressor with your own hands from a Zilov compressor is much easier than using other products of a similar type for this. To perform basic tasks, it will practically not even need to be redone. However, if long-term use or heavy loads are required, some modifications will need to be made.

Necessary equipment

To create a compressor with your own hands from a Zilov compressor, you need to solve the issue of transmitting torque to the unit itself. You will also need an engine of a certain power and with a specific number of revolutions. Therefore, some purchases will be required.

Special attention should be paid to the receiver. It is selected in accordance with the tasks assigned to the product. At the same time, a pressure gauge and a safety valve are installed on it, which will be responsible for the required pressure.

Torque transmission

When making a compressor with your own hands from a Zilov compressor, you need to make a very important decision about how the power will be transferred from the engine to the unit itself. At the same time, some masters prefer to connect directly, believing that this way they will not lose the number of revolutions and power. However, it is worth remembering that for such methods of implementing connections you need to have a fairly powerful engine. Therefore, most often they use

When making a compressor with your own hands, they usually try to connect the Zilov compressor to the engine through a gearbox. This way you can get quite a good force during the initial start-up or if there is pressure in the receiver. However, the cost of a good gearbox is quite high, and option c can be considered the most optimal.

Engine

If we assemble it with our own hands, it is very important to choose the right power unit, which will be as close as possible to the operating parameters of the device. IN in this case Usually they look at the rotation speed. It must be at least 2000 rpm, since it is this parameter that will allow you to create maximum pressure and will enable the structure to operate in a gentle manner.

The selection of power is approached separately. The fact is that the cost very often directly depends on this parameter. It is generally accepted that for such compressors a power of 1 kW is sufficient. However, this is justified if the unit is planned to be used for a short time and without heavy loads. Therefore, more powerful products are most often used.

Receiver

They usually try to make a typical iron-based compressor from the ZIL 130 compact and mobile. Therefore, using large and voluminous receivers simply does not make sense. Also, you should not purchase these elements of the unit separately, since you can always create them yourself. You can use almost any metal container for this. In this case, it is best to use gas cylinders or old fire extinguishers.

It should be noted right away that further refinement of the receiver will be required. You will need to install a pressure gauge and pressure regulator on it. Usually a separate unit with a gearbox is purchased, which is installed at the entrance to the container. It is also very important to install a back pressure valve. It is adjusted to the optimal operating mode of the future product with a certain margin of 10-15%.

Compressor modification

Even if you plan to make an ordinary garage compressor from a ZIL compressor, the unit itself will need to be slightly modified.

First of all, it is worth creating cooling. The fact is that such units overheat greatly during their operation and, as a result, not only productivity, but also service life decreases. Therefore, the connecting rods should be drilled, and an oblique tube should be installed in the bottom cover.
To control the oil level, it is necessary to install a transparent filter at the crankcase outlet. It also makes sense to install a moisture separator, which you can make yourself from a small fire extinguisher.
The oil tank is also installed separately. It is immediately worth noting that it will be used as an expansion tank and will help normalize the pressure in the system.

Today, there is simply a huge number of various improvements that are aimed at increasing productivity and service life. All of them usually relate to torque transmission. However, the final choice always depends directly on the purpose of the final product.

Assembly

First, you should make a frame on which the compressor will be installed with your own hands. ZIL 130 has certain seats for this unit, which must be transferred to the frame. This way you won’t have to make additional holes in the compressor itself, and you can use an additional shock absorption system.

Next, the engine is mounted on the frame. In this case, the fixation is carried out in a rigid position, at a distance necessary for the transmission of torque. The receiver and other elements that can be connected via hoses can be placed separately. Sometimes it’s easier to connect them at the place of work, so as not to weigh down the frame itself.

If a compressor is made from Zilovsky, the tools will need to be selected very carefully. You will need to have a drill, welding machine, a set of keys and much more. Situations may also arise when some types of work are easier to do in the factory or using special machines.
To create shock absorbers when fixing all units to a frame or supporting frame, it is best to use rubber gaskets or inserts. However, it is worth remembering that with intensive use they wear out quickly and you should always have spare ones.
When purchasing a compressor, you need to be very careful because appearance of a product does not indicate the condition of its internal components and assemblies. It is simply not possible to check the product on the spot, which means that such a purchase should only be made from trusted sellers.
If the problem with overheating of the compressor is not solved, then it must be operated in a gentle mode. This way it will last much longer, although this may cause some inconvenience during operation. That is why the unit is selected for specific needs.
You can install a pressure gauge with special contacts on the product, which are connected to the electrical engine starting circuit. This automates the operation of the device and will also reduce the likelihood of rapid overheating.
The electrical circuit for connecting the compressor to the electrical circuit directly depends on the type of engine selected. At the same time, you should not come up with workarounds for starting the primary winding so as not to lose power. This will affect the operation of the product if there is residual pressure in the receiver, even with a check valve and a fairly powerful engine.

Conclusion

When assembling a compressor from Zilovsky with your own hands, you should remember that this work It will require the performer to have the ability to handle various tools and adhere to the technique of processing all kinds of parts. It is also worth remembering that the purchase of certain units will lead to costs, which means that before starting work, you should carefully evaluate all the costs and compare them with your capabilities. The fact is that with intensive use, such a compressor only lasts for a couple of years.

It is possible to carry out high-quality painting of a car in a garage. To do this, you will need to arrange a convenient spray booth, and also be equipped with the necessary tools. Many car owners cannot afford the purchase of expensive equipment, so they have to make a compressor for painting the car with their own hands. This operation is significantly cheaper.

To properly manufacture this device, you will need to familiarize yourself with the theoretical part. Thanks to this preparation, during subsequent work it will be possible to avoid the appearance of grain, shagreen or dust particles mixed with paint on the surface to be painted.

The operation of almost any factory-made or home-made compressor is based on the same principle. An increased pressure is formed in a sealed cavity, which is higher than atmospheric pressure, and then it is used in a targeted and dosed manner.

For injection, mechanical or manual method. In the second case, you get savings on electricity, as well as independence from the presence of electricity supply points near the work area. In the case of automatic air supply to the working cylinder, it will be necessary to monitor the availability of oil for the air compressor.

Before you make your own compressor for painting a car, let’s prepare the tools. There is a method in which the working element is a car camera. To do this, we will select the components from the list:

working chamber from a car or truck;
a pump with a built-in pressure gauge to inject pressure;
additional nipple for camera;
hard awl;
repair kit for sealing the camera.

We first check the tightness of the selected chamber. To do this, it is pumped up and lowered into water. If leaks are found, we will definitely get rid of them.

We are planning on free space the point at which the second nipple is supposed to be installed. In this place we make a hole with an awl. The fitting must be glued using a repair kit. A uniform air supply will be ensured through it.

An initial nipple built into the chamber is necessary to maintain the operating pressure at the required level. The performance of the installation is determined by the final result. When the paint is distributed evenly, this indicates proper assembly and sufficient pressure in the container. Pick up required parameter The pressure gauge built into the pump will help.

When such a homemade compressor is used to paint a car, you need to try to prevent moisture and small debris from getting inside the cavity. This will ensure maximum cleanliness of the surface to be painted. It is also advisable to prevent condensation from appearing inside the chamber.

Advanced compressor

With proper assembly and regular maintenance of the device, a homemade compressor can last much longer than the factory one. With all this, it is unlimited in repair parts, and can also be periodically improved and refined.

The basis for a more progressive model is the elements of an old refrigerator:

receiver for compressor;
pressure gauge 10 atm;
a relay that controls the pressure inside the compressor;
adapters with pipe threads;
gasoline purification filter;
gearbox with a filter protected from moisture and oil;
plumbing cross with ¾ inch thread;
electric motor for operating the compressor;
hydraulic hose clamps;
semi-synthetic oil;
oil-resistant hose;
copper tubes;
medical syringe;
wooden slab;
rust remover;
power system filter;
hardware elements;
furniture wheels;
sealant, sealing tape;
a small file or metal saw;
electric switch (220 V).

The advantage of earlier models of refrigerators is the presence of a start relay. Also positive is the fairly powerful pressure that the compressor develops. Using a rust converter, we clean problem areas on the body and working elements of the assembly being prepared.

It is advisable to carry out a little maintenance on the compressor by replacing its oil with semi-synthetic one. Modern oils contain a sufficient amount of additives to ensure long-term operation of the compressor. Its design has three pipes, one of which is hermetically sealed. The other two will have air circulation. To determine the direction of flow, you will need to connect the device to the power supply.

The sealed pipe completely hides the oil. Having bitten off with nippers or sawed off its end with a file so that the shavings do not fall inside the cavity, carefully drain the liquid into the prepared container. By this we will determine required amount replacement oils. It must be infused using a syringe in the same volume that was removed through the tube.

After topping up, plug the hole with a screw or self-tapping screw wrapped with sealing tape along the thread. Now the installation of the entire structure begins wooden base or a welded frame made of a building profile. Compressors from refrigerators are quite sensitive to their position in space. To identify it, there is a special arrow on the body. The correct operation of the entire unit depends on this.

A standard foam or powder fire extinguisher is suitable as an air container. It is advisable to select it so that the cavity is at least 10...12 liters. They are usually tested to withstand pressures up to 15...20 MPa. To release the cavity, unscrew the adapter with the locking and starting device.

If areas of corrosion are identified on the surface, they must be eliminated., preventing the spread of rust that could lead to perforation damage. Such phenomena are unacceptable, as they contribute to depressurization of the container.

You can pour rust converter into the cavity and shake it well, then pour it out and dry it. We attach the plumbing cross to the outside.

General installation of the structure

Most convenient option there will be an arrangement of all parts on wooden base. For installation, holes are drilled and elements are secured with bolts and nuts. You can also use a sheet of plywood, to which everything is easily attached with self-tapping screws. 360 movable wheels are installed on the bottom plate or frame for greater mobility.

Coarse gasoline filters will help provide sufficient protection against the penetration of fine dirt or moisture. They are usually mounted on the air intake side. An inlet tube is placed on this side, which can be held even without clamps, since there is no high pressure.

You will also need to install a protective filter on the outlet side, which will protect the air flow from moisture and oil particles from the compressor. Fuel filters are used as such a blocker. Without clamps such a unit will not stand.

We will install an adjusting relay into the output cross, as well as a pressure gauge to control pressure. We connect the free plug to the gearbox. Using a relay, you can adjust the pressure range in the receiver.

PM5 (RDM5) is used as an actuator. It was originally used in plumbing systems, but since it is two-pin switch, then it will work in our case. One contact goes to the connection with the supercharger, and the second to the “zero” of the 220 V network.

Using a toggle switch we connect the network phase. It will help you quickly turn off the power supply if necessary, so as not to run to the outlet to do this.

Pressure monitoring

Having collected all the elements together, we need to check the performance of the mechanism. To do this, we connect the device to the power supply, and set the relay to the minimum pressure supply. We monitor the pressure gauge readings while the system is operating.

After checking the relay, you will need to identify possible areas of loss of tightness. For this operation, a prepared soap solution is used. It is made thick in the form of a paste. We coat problem areas with the solution while the compressor is running. If air bubbles appear, seal the leak.

During a possible pressure drop to critical values, you can install additional air pumping by turning on the compressor. After receiving positive results during the test, you can.

We select a satisfactory pressure for the operation of the system empirically. In this situation, it is necessary to select the settings so that everything happens at minimum values of the supercharger operation. With this design you can paint any surface.

Budget compressor option

Building a compressor for painting can be quite economical. It can also be based on elements from an old refrigerator, and any sealed cavity is usually used for a container with air:

Exhausted oxygen cylinder. It is able to withstand high pressure parameters, but has the disadvantage of being large.
Propane tank. It has the same positive qualities as oxygen.
Fire extinguisher. Models with a volume of 10 liters or more are suitable, as they have a better ability to withstand high pressure. However, at the outlet they have a metric thread.
Hydraulic accumulator. The cavity has a good volume with sufficient working pressure. Requires some modifications to get rid of the membrane and metric threads.

At the next stage, we combine the receiver with the compressor. It is necessary to provide maximum compatibility of connectors for connecting a relay capable of turning off the compressor at the right time. You can also use RDM-5.

The pressure gauge is selected with maximum values of 10 atm. We select fittings, tees or angles with inch threads. This will make the installation easier and ensure maximum air passage through the channels. To place the structure, it is allowed to use chipboard.

As a result, the list necessary elements will be in the following configuration:

Prepared compressor;
Receiver for air flow distribution;
Pressure switch connected to the network;
Pressure gauge up to 10 atm;
Filter reducer;
Emergency release valve;
Transition threaded elements;
Sealing elements (tape, paste, etc.);
Electrical wiring, plugs and on/off elements;
Hose that protects against moisture and oil;
Chipboard;
Hardware elements, wheels, gaskets.

If you are afraid of the number of spare parts and the complexity of manufacturing, you can always purchase an inexpensive factory-made compressor.

Installing a receiver in the form of a hydraulic accumulator will be the easiest, since it is already equipped with the necessary brackets. They can also be used to mount the compressor on top. The result is a two-level structure.

As fasteners, it is advisable to use bolts with hooks passed through pre-drilled holes. This will ensure greater structural stability.

It will be possible to reduce the influence of vibrations with rubber/silicone gaskets used as damping.

Using prepared flexible tubes, we connect the compressor outlet and the inlet to the receiver. Protective mechanisms in the form of filters must be installed. Power is supplied to the switch and relay. The structure must be grounded.

Every garage owner dreams of his own source of compressed air - having a compressor in the bins of the garage, you can do a lot of work on repairing your car yourself. But the cost of a new compressor is quite high, and purchasing an old one at your own risk is not a good idea. Although, in rare cases you can stumble upon a very profitable deal. If you still need professional equipment, then you can familiarize yourself with the catalog sold by TekhMash Group of Companies LLC.

But in any case, a do-it-yourself high-pressure compressor is an excellent option that requires minimal expense.

What is needed for this? First, you need to know how the basic compressor unit in the kit functions. And this is the engine, compressor (unit), receiver, connection parts. The engine transmits rotating movements to the compressor pulley via a belt drive. The driven compressor absorbs atmospheric air, which then enters the compression chamber. The movement of the piston reduces the working volume of the cylinder, inevitably compressing the air. The compressed air then enters a container called a receiver, and then through hoses the air activates pneumatics, sprays paint, and supplies energy to various tools. The receiver is necessary to eliminate pulsation caused by uneven compression of air by a piston compressor.

Secondly, when creating a high-pressure compressor with your own hands, you need to decide for what purpose you plan to use the compressor, since this is the determining factor in finding the necessary elements. By choosing a high-pressure unit of 10 atmospheres, you can for a long time provide yourself with compressed air to operate any type of pneumatic tools. For such a machine, a container is needed as a receiver that can withstand such internal pressure. A well-preserved formerly used fire extinguisher, a container from a gas cylinder, or a homemade container made by welding a plugged piece of pipe can serve as a receiver. But at the same time, the quality of the welds and the condition of the metal must withstand internal pressure not lower than one and a half times the operating pressure of the compressor. This will completely ensure safe use homemade receiver.

The inside of the container must be protected from corrosion. There are many special liquids available for sale for such operations. Then you can give the cylinder an aesthetic appearance by painting it. The receiver can be installed horizontally or vertically, depending on its shape and the wishes of the author of the idea. Having decided on the position of the container, you should start drilling holes - in the lower part the hole is necessary for periodically draining the condensate that accumulates at the bottom of the container.

The drain valve must be able to withstand the pressure created by the compressor. To match the diameter and thread pitch of the tap pipe, an internal thread is cut in a newly drilled hole.

Next, the tap is screwed in - for reliability, you can use seals or silicone sealant. Then the same is done in the middle part of the receiver to supply air into it and in the upper part to exit. It is necessary to install a check valve at the inlet of the container so that air does not have the opportunity to escape in the opposite direction towards the compressor.

At the outlet, a through valve of the appropriate pressure and diameter is screwed in. It is best to make the outlet hole at the top of the receiver, since in this case the maximum amount of liquid will remain at the bottom of the cylinder. The pressure gauge can be mounted by making a separate hole for it and cutting a suitable thread in it, or by attaching it to the outlet pipe, up to the tap. Thanks to the pressure gauge, it will be possible to monitor the operation of a homemade high-pressure compressor and, if necessary, subject the installation to more precise adjustments. Another important point is that in order for the compressor to be able to periodically turn off and cool down during this time, you should pay attention to the size of the receiver. You shouldn’t make it small - the larger the receiver, the less often you will need to turn on the compressor.

As the main unit, you can use compressors from an old household refrigerator or a serviceable used unit. Car enthusiasts often use a 12-volt compressor to inflate wheels. There are many options. The main thing is to decide for what purpose the compressor is needed and how much air is needed. The advantages of refrigeration motor compressors are that they already have an engine in their design. In addition, they create an extremely low amount of noise. The disadvantages include the fact that when working with air, and not with freon gas, the compressor needs to frequently change the lubricating oil. As for electric pumps for inflating tires, this is also a good choice to create a high-pressure compressor with your own hands. But at the same time you will have to provide it DC 12 volts, that is, an additional power supply is required. And the volume of the receiver must be designed specifically for a certain model, since the periodic operation time of such pumps is limited, and it will have time to gain the required pressure in the receiver before it turns off.

For greater ease of use of the compressor, you can adapt a very useful part - a pressure switch. It is best to install it on the receiver. Thanks to this device, you can correctly adjust the start and shutdown of the unit, which is necessary to control the pressure in the receiver and ensure uniform operation of the compressor and electric motor.

The pressure switch will eliminate the need to manually turn the compressor on and off, which means eliminating the risk of electric motor overheating and destruction of compressor unit elements caused by excessive excess pressure.

To buy or not to buy? That is the question. But for those who have an old faulty refrigerator with a working compressor, this question disappears - of course, make a compressor for painting using existing materials yourself!

Assembling a compressor yourself is not as complicated as it seems at first glance, especially if you know the principle of its operation. To assemble the compressor, you will need a motor that drives air into a container where the same air will be under pressure. The mechanism is designed in such a way that excess air, due to which the pressure in the container may exceed what is necessary, comes out through a special drain valve. This is necessary so that during the process of painting a car (or whatever else is needed) the paint spreads evenly over the entire surface, and this effect can only be achieved when there is constant pressure in the sprayer.

The compressor can be used in a variety of areas - for inflating tires, airbrushing, painting spare parts, and so on. Possessing necessary tools and certain knowledge, it is quite possible to independently manufacture this unit based on a conventional refrigerator. A homemade compressor produces about 7 atmospheres, which is enough for an ordinary garage workshop. A refrigerator compressor will be quite quiet and, most importantly, cheap in cost.

What is better - homemade or purchased?

In total, there are several main differences between them:

The design of the factory compressor contains Electrical engine, transmitting torque to the working chamber through a belt drive. As for the homemade compressor, it consists of a housing and the engine itself, without belts.
The factory version already has automatic pressure relief systems, inlet and outlet filters, pressure meters, etc. installed. In a compressor from a refrigerator, you will have to install the control equipment yourself, taking into account all the features.
Although most factory compressors are equipped automatic systems, In some budget models this feature is not implemented. In other words, these units will have to be turned off independently, noting the time on the clock. Homemade compressors are mainly equipped with a protective relay that turns off the engine if there is a risk of overheating.
Some factory models may not have any lubrication at all. Of course, they are small, but they lack various exhausts. This circumstance is very important, especially if the spray gun behaves rather capriciously, not tolerating various impurities. As for homemade compressors, there is plenty of oil.
The main feature of a homemade compressor is that it works very quietly, especially if you put all the tubes on it correctly, maintaining a tight seal. As for factory compressors, they are noisier, so their use is only possible outside the home.
The cost of manufacturing a homemade compressor is very low, because the main components are taken from old equipment, and the control equipment will cost a maximum of 1000 rubles.
It is impossible to make any technical changes to the factory compressor. In other words, if the unit is not powerful enough, then it can only be used as a tire inflator, nothing more. Homemade options The good thing is that you can add some parts to them, for example, a large receiver, thanks to which you can significantly increase the power of the device.

As practice shows, a homemade compressor for painting a car breaks down much less often than its foreign and domestic factory counterparts. On the Internet you can find many instructions on how to build compressors with your own hands. So let's discuss several options that can help in this matter.

Schemes for making a homemade compressor

Here are several options for device assembly schemes - choose which one is best suited for your purposes:

Compressor assembly parts

pressure switch;
pressure gauge;
gearbox with oil and water separator;
oil/water separator filter;
adapters;
crosspiece;
fitting and nut;
coupling;
nipple;
a tube;
car clamps;
receiver;
nuts, studs, washers;
furniture wheels;
automobile oil;
toggle switch;
plug and cord;
fuel filter;
plywood panels (chipboard);
refrigerator compressor;
oil and petrol resistant hose, screws, Epoxylin, sealant, paint, fum tape, rust remover and other small things.

I checked several different control valves in my versions. After several attempts, I ordered a RUCK14IAMSV check valve, it does not buzz and can be perfect for building a compressor from refrigeration units. You also need to buy a safety valve (MINI SVM14-12). Take a tank from a 16 kg powder fire extinguisher. The pressure in the tank is 9.5 bar, the shelf life is 2 months.

Important: pay attention to what kind of oil you fill in - synthetic oil does not combine very well with regular oil, so you don’t need to pour in just anything.

An oil separator must be installed between the compressor and the tank.
Oil should be added through the third solder tube.
It is best to solder the connector and screw it in with a screw or metal plug.
Install a dehydrator, it will also capture the oil.

Due to the sudden failure of the refrigerator, I became the owner of an efficient 110 W unit. Of course it can be converted into a compressor. There is a car airbrush, which was previously used with a 12-watt compressor, as well as with a high-power compressor. These devices are noisy and short-lived. So I had to make a homemade one.

Compressor assembly instructions

It is important to dismantle the compressor correctly to avoid damaging it. First, using wire cutters, cut through the tubes coming out of the engine leading to the radiator grille. Next, the wires from the relay are cut, but their length should remain approximately 20 cm. Before unscrewing the compressor, you need to make a mark on the relay cover.

Once the compressor blower circuit from the refrigerator is broken, the spindle will be exposed to the atmosphere, which will lead to a loss of its properties. If the factory oil in the supercharger is not replaced, its pistons will quickly wear out, causing the engine to fail. Therefore, it is recommended to first replace it with a semi-synthetic motor one. like from a car.

In addition to the outlet and inlet tubes, the compressor from a conventional refrigerator is equipped with a third tube with a sealed end. In order to use it in the future to paint a car, it is necessary to remove the clogged part. To do this, using a hacksaw for metal, you should make a neat cut around the tube, but without sawing all the way through, and then break off the cut piece. It is important that metal shavings do not get inside.

The remaining pipe must be flared and the old oil drained, then semi-synthetic oil must be poured into it in the same quantity. After which the pipe is sealed with a screw wrapped in fum tape.

The fire extinguisher housing is perfect for the receiver. It is important that it is cast, seamless and has a volume of 10 liters or more. Before using it, you need to inspect the inside of the fire extinguisher for corrosion. A flashlight is used for inspection. If corrosion is still present, it must be removed using a special liquid.

Stages of assembly work

Making a compressor from a refrigerator means following a simple sequence of steps:

Take pliers, a 12mm spanner, 2 screwdrivers - one for plus and one for minus. At the bottom of the rear panel, use pliers to cut through the tubes connecting the compressor to the cooling system. Unscrew the start relay, having previously marked the top and bottom sides on it. Disconnect the relay from the plug. We take all the fasteners with us.
Checking functionality: reconnect the relay, provide air access to the compressor through the tubes, connect to the network. If everything is done correctly, the device works. Air will flow into one tube and out of the other. Label these tubes.
Attach the compressor with self-tapping screws to a wooden board.
We take an old fire extinguisher, 1 hose 600 mm long, 2 others - 100 mm, fuel filter, clamps, pressure gauge, sealant. We already have a drill, a screwdriver, and pliers.
If you don't have a fire extinguisher, we'll make one. plastic container. To do this, you need to take a container with a volume of more than 3 liters. Make 2 holes. Insert the inlet tube into 1 hole at a distance of 2 cm from the bottom of the container. We lower the outlet pipeline 10 cm deep. It is impossible to install a pressure gauge on a plastic tank.
If there is an iron tank, then the tubes can be fixed by welding. We install a pressure gauge on the iron receiver.
We fasten the receiver and compressor together.
Place a filter on a 10 cm long hose and attach the free end of the tube to the inlet of the constructed apparatus. We use another hose to connect the receiver inlet to the compressor outlet. We fix the joining places with clamps. A diesel filter is attached to the last hose, and its free end is inserted into the outlet of the receiver. If necessary, equipment can be attached to the remaining end of the tube to make airbrushing and painting available.

Second version of step-by-step instructions:

We drill a special hole for the adapter that needs to be secured. You can choose different ways, for example, the most affordable is cold welding (using Epoxylin).
Carefully clean the bottom of the receiver from contaminants - plaque and rust. This is necessary so that Epoxylin adheres well to the surface for strong bonding. And, of course, so that the paint does not become dirty and does not form into lumps with debris. This can be achieved by sanding the bottom of the fire extinguisher to a metallic shine using rotating and circular movements using sandpaper.
We secure the adapter by clamping it from the front side with a nut, and give the Epoxylin time to harden according to the instructions.
Let's move on to the base for the compressor, for which you need to acquire three wooden boards or a piece of plywood measuring 30 by 30 cm. For the convenience of further moving our device, you can screw mobile furniture wheels to the base. We do not specifically describe the dimensions of the holes and other details, since this will all be purely individual, as it depends on the selected material, type of compressor, and so on.
We drill holes for the compressor and studs and mount them. The studs are secured with nuts and washers.
We put a car filter with a special paper core on the inhalation of the compressor. This will help prevent dust and other small contaminants from getting inside the compressor.
Next we'll deal with the electrical work. To make our homemade compressor for painting a car convenient to use, we equip it with a pressure switch (for example, PM5 or RDM5), as well as a shutdown switch. The first device, a pressure switch, is necessary for us to turn off the compressor during the process of pumping air into the receiver, when the pressure reaches the permissible maximum, and vice versa, to turn it on when the pressure drops below the permissible minimum. You can set the values of the maximum and minimum pressures directly on the relay using springs, with the large spring responsible for the minimum pressure (and the corresponding activation of the compressor), and the small one for the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure values.
Take a closer look and you will see 2 contacts on the relay, designed specifically for connecting it to the network. Since such relays were originally used in the water supply system, we will slightly change its purpose and connection features. Our task is to connect the first contact to the network, and the second to the compressor.
We place the general shutdown switch on the gap between the pressure switch and the 220V network. This will help de-energize the entire installation so that you don’t have to constantly run around to turn it on and off.
We paint the receiver and begin final assembly.
Screw the nut with the fitting onto the oil-moisture separator filter.
We take the hose and put one end of it on the fitting, and with the other we pull it onto the compressor tube and clamp it all with clamps. To do this, we take a reinforced, oil-resistant hose. Each threaded connection should be sealed with fum tape.
We screw the filter to the bottom of the receiver and treat the silicone connection with sealant.
We screw on the cast iron lid, but pre-treat its threaded connection with the same sealant. To improve sealing, you can place a rubber gasket under the lid.
You need to screw a tube onto the lid, the thread of which should be a quarter of an inch, and screw the cross onto it.

Installation of device parts

For ease of storage and movement, it is best to arrange all compressor parts compactly on one base. We will use a wooden board as a base, on which we securely mount the engine - supercharger and fire extinguisher housing.

We fix the compressor motor using threaded rods threaded through the drilled holes, and nuts and washers. We place the receiver vertically, using three sheets of plywood to secure it, in one of which we cut a hole for the cylinder.

We attach the other two using self-tapping screws to the supporting board and glue them to the sheet holding the receiver. Under the bottom of the receiver, at the base, we hollow out a recess of appropriate size. For maneuverability, we screw wheels made from furniture fittings to our base. Next we perform the following operations:

We protect our system from dust and coarse particles, for which we use a fuel coarse filter as an air intake gasoline engines. For this purpose, we use a rubber hose that tightly presses the filter fitting and the inlet tube of the supercharger. There is low pressure at the compressor inlet and reinforcement of contact using automotive clamps is not required. Thus, we made an inlet filter for the compressor with our own hands.

An oil separator should be installed at the compressor outlet; it will not allow liquid particles to pass through. We use a diesel engine power system filter as this protection element. We connect it to the supercharger using an oil-resistant hose. Since the pressure at the outlet of the compressor is increased, here and everywhere else, to strengthen the contact, we use automotive clamps with fasteners tightened with a screw.

We connect the oil-moisture separating filter to the input of the gearbox. We need a reducer to decouple the pressure of the receiver and the outlet of the supercharger. We screw its high-pressure outlet into the water crosspiece on the left or right.

We screw a pressure gauge from the opposite entrance of the quad, using it we will control the pressure of compressed air in the cylinder. We screw the adjusting relay on top of the cross. We seal all connections with fum tape and sealant.

The relay will allow you to set a wide range of pressure levels in the receiver, promptly interrupting the supercharger power supply circuit. You can choose PM5 or RDM5 as the actuator. These devices will turn on the compressor if the compressed air pressure in the receiver drops below the set level, and turn off when the specified range is exceeded. The required pressure is adjusted on the relay using two springs. The large spring sets the minimum pressure level, and the small one regulates the upper limit, setting the compressor shutdown limit. RDM5 and PM5 were originally produced for use in the water supply network and are electrically passive, that is, they are ordinary switches with two contacts. We connect one contact to the zero of the 220 V network, and the second to the supercharger.

We connect the phase wire of the network through a toggle switch to the second network input of the compressor. The introduction of a toggle switch into the electrical circuit allows you to quickly disconnect the system from power without having to run to the outlet every time. All electrical connections solder and carefully insulate.

Compressor testing and adjustment

Now all that remains is to paint the entire compressor and move on to field testing.

After assembling the structure, you should check its functionality. We connect a spray gun or a tire inflation gun to the compressor output. After that, with the toggle switch off, turn on plug to the network. We set the control relay to minimum pressure and then apply power to the supercharger. The pressure created in the receiver is controlled using a pressure gauge. After making sure that when a certain level is reached, the relay turns off the engine, we check the tightness of the air ducts and connections. This is easy to do with a soap solution.

After making sure that the compressed air does not leave the system, we bleed it from the receiver chamber. As soon as the pressure in the cylinder drops below the set mark, the relay should operate and start the compressor. If everything is functioning properly, you can try painting some unnecessary detail. Preliminary work There is no need to prepare the surface for applying enamel - it is important for us to develop skills and determine what pressure will be required to paint the product. We experimentally determine the value in atmospheres at which the excess pressure is enough to paint the entire part in a uniform layer with a minimum number of blower activations.

Adjustment and testing

The main test of a homemade compressor is to determine the possibility of effectively regulating the pressure that is created in the assembled system. The easiest way to do this is to test paint a surface. In this case, the following is done sequentially:

Set the relay to 4…5 atmospheres.
Connect the compressor to the network.
The stability of the parameter is monitored using a pressure gauge. If the relay is operational, then if the pressure is exceeded, it will turn off the compressor; otherwise, open the relief valve and immediately turn off the unit.
Check the system for spontaneous bleeding of the energy carrier, for which you can use a regular soap solution.
When the pressure drops to a level below the minimum permissible, the relay should automatically turn on the compressor.
After painting any surface, it is necessary to check the quality of the paint applied to it - during an external inspection, no traces of moisture, foreign particles and dirt should be detected. If such defects do occur, you should additionally check the operation of the output filter - oil and water separator.

Video instructions for the compressor

The operation of the assembled unit will be long and reliable if routine maintenance is carried out periodically. It comes down to replacing inlet filters, periodically purging all air ducts, and also changing the oil in the compressor.

It is undesirable to load the compressor by more than 75% of capacity. But it is quite difficult to understand where the line is that cannot be crossed, to predict what pressure the compressor will show. It depends on when the refrigerator was released and what brand it is. On older models this figure will be better. Then for a comfortable quality work You only need to replace the consumable filters.