Beginner Airbrusher Needs Help

[VegasAWACER13]

So I have it all connected but it's not working. All the air is escaping out of the release valves at the bottom of the filter chambers. I don't have much experience with this kind of thing but I'm pretty sure I've got all the connections right and I checked to ensure everything is tight. If I'm understanding this right those valves should close when the air starts running but they're not.

 

[urumomo]

pull them down to shut them .
They require a minimum pressure -- pump up the compressor output pressure / regulator output

 

[VegasAWACER13]

pull them down to shut them .
They require a minimum pressure -- pump up the compressor output pressure / regulator output

They're spring loaded and doesn't look like they can be manually closed. I tried the compressor at max psi but no difference. Is the filter just designed to work with a higher capacity air flow?

 

[urumomo]

turn the pressure regulator knob counterclockwise all the way ( to minimum pressure output )
with the compressor running pull and hold both drains shut until pressure builds up in the bowls

 

[VegasAWACER13]

turn the pressure regulator knob counterclockwise all the way ( to minimum pressure output )
with the compressor running pull and hold both drains shut until pressure builds up in the bowls

So that worked to close the valves. But there's no air making to the brush, and the compressor still runs like it's pushing air.

 

[urumomo]

there will be no air to the AB with the regulator knob all the way open .
turn the knob clockwise to increase the output .

and hold on , let me pull up your compressor

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Tried that and it had no effect.

 

[urumomo]

you have it oriented correctly ?
The Amazon page shows the regulator at the output side , the side toward the AB

Check for leaks ,
That compressor has low volume capacity so a small leak or leaks will keep it running .
Use soapy water around the connections

 

[urumomo]

soapy water ALL the connections

 

[VegasAWACER13]

I see what you're saying about the picture on Amazon. It shows the compressor in on the right. But that's weird because the diagram said air in on the left and out on the right.

 

[urumomo]

are there direction of flow markings on any of the components ,, or and " in " , " out " ?

 

[urumomo]

do you have the compressor connected to the filter end or the regulator end ?

https://www.amazon.com/NANPU-DFR-02...&sprefix=air+filter+regu,aps,184&sr=8-13&th=1

 

[BarleyBop]

... a few pics of the setup, and of the filter connection might help...

 

[VegasAWACER13]

The arrows on the top are indicating airflow direction right?

I think air is escaping from one of the two ends of the clear hose. Or both. The brass connectors had sealant coating on them, and as you can see, it bunched up and made it difficult to fully tighten them. I tightened them until they wouldn't turn anymore. I did have a hose clamp on the filter side of the clear tube but removed it to trim the tube because I thought it might have had a hole in it. I wasn't able to push the clear tube on all the way at either end. Got them two thirds of the way and then clamped them.

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Compressor is on the filter end.

 

[urumomo]

the flow is correct

WHERE ARE THE HOSE CLAMPS ???
you need hose clamps to secure each end of the clear tubing

 

[VegasAWACER13]

I did have a clamp on it. I took it off again to trim the end of the hose.

Is it essential to have the tube onto the fitting all the way? Because it was tight AF and I could only get it on 2/3s-3/4s of the way.

 

[urumomo]

Is that where it's leaking ?

we need to stop any and all leaks

 

[urumomo]

just and FYI , the filters and regulator can be assembled in any order desired as long as the air flow direction is consistently correct .
The image showing the supply air entering the regulator is therefore possible and why it shouldn't be relied upon -- always ensure the flow arrows on the components are aligned correctly .

You're good with how you have it .

with the compressor running you won't be able to hear any leak so use soapy water on every joint

 

[VegasAWACER13]

Air is leaking at both ends of the plastic tube.

Do the tubes have to be on the fitting all the way?

I had hose clamps on both ends. On the compressor side, the clamp cut through the tube. It's leaking there. I did make an effort not to over tighten it.

On the filter side I can feel air escaping. Again, with a clamp on it. Are the clamps I'm using too big? They're rated 1/4" to 7/16" but I feel like tightening them fully may be damaging the tubes. But I don't see any damage to the tube on the filter side either.

What's the reason for using the 1/8" plastic tube versus just another standard airbrush hose? Seems like that would be easier and more leak proof.