Tuesday, April 22, 2014
When Is it Time to Replace Compressed Air Hoses

Compressed air hoses are powerful tools for workers in a variety of industries. While their power can speed up the pace of work, they can be extremely dangerous if used past their prime. A few key signs indicate when it is time to replace a compressed air hose.
Kinking
If a compressed air hose is permanently kinked, it is time to replace the hose. A backup of compressed air at the kinked area could lead to an explosion, which could be deadly.
Fraying or Cracking
The fraying of the protective fabric surrounding a compressed air hose -- or the cracking of the rubber if no fabric is present -- is a sign that the compressed air hose needs to be replaced. The rapid escape of compressed air from a hole in the hose can cause serious injury to workers and bystanders.
Bending
If a compressed air hose is bent, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible. Bending of a compressed air hose can drastically alter the air flow and potentially create an accident leading to serious injury.
Pressure Ratings
Each compressed air hose is rated to withstand a maximum pounds per square inch in air pressure. If a compressed air hose is not rated to withstand the compressor it is fitted to, it is time to replace the hose.
Maintenance
Compressed air hoses should be cleaned regularly using soapy water, not kerosene or other flammable material. After cleaning, make sure the compressed air hose is completely purged. While doing maintenance work on the compressed air hose, make sure the compressor or other equipment is attached to is turned off.
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Why Must the Air Fuel Ratio Be Maintained

Oxygen sensors (02 sensors) and the powertrain control module (PCM) of a vehicles engine work together to maintain an automobiles air-fuel ratio. Air-fuel ratio must be maintained for a vehicle to have low emissions and good fuel economy.
02 Sensor
02 sensors keep track of fuel mixture within a vehicle by reacting to oxygen in its exhaust that has not been burned. The sensor creates a voltage signal that goes up when air-fuel mixture gets rich and down when air-fuel mixture becomes lean.
PCM
The PCM reads the voltage signal from the 02 sensor and bases its decision on that information. If it reads a signal that indicates a rich mixture, it lowers the amount of fuel being sent to the engine to make the mixture lean again. If the signal indicates a lean mixture, it increases fuel to the engine to make the mixture rich again.
False Reading
A PCM can make the wrong decisions due to a bad 02 sensor. A faulty 02 sensor may signal a lean mixture even if thats not the case. This can lead to a vehicle burning more fuel.
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Master Power Air Tools

Established in 1936, Master Power has been in the production of air tools since its conception. All tools produced by this franchise are made with an ergonomic grip for operator comfort and come with a one- or two-year warranty. For a wide variety of your air tool needs, Master Power produces a host of products that fit into varying categories.
Drills
Four different models of drills are made by Master Power. They range from five and a half to seven and a half inches in length and the heaviest model weighs only two and a half pounds. The range of maximum free RPM is 1,100 to 2,800. The MP1447-51 and MP1448-55 models are non-reversible, while reversible capabilities are available with the MP1460-42 and MP1462-51 models.
Finishing Tools
Master Power has a line of finishing tools that include the random orbital and orbital sanders, sanders/polishers, angle and disc sanders, and vacuums. This complete line of air tools is suitable for work with finishing wood, composites, metal and stone. The MP4400 series of random orbital sanders, for instance, comprises seven different lightweight models that come with the benefit of low vibration.
Fastening
Master Power also produces six types of fastening tools. Pistol grip screwdrivers include the direct drive and positive clutch types. Adjustable and verso clutch pistol grip and inline screwdrivers, impact wrenches and screwdrivers and nutrunners are also available. All Master Power fastening tools have a powerful, high-torque output. These pneumatic screwdrivers have quick-change bit adapters, and reverse action is standard for all Master Power screwdrivers and nutrunners.
Grinders
Pencil, die and wheel grinders are also produced by Master Power. Pencil grinders come in the MP4200 Inline or the MP4201 Angle model. Each weighs less than a half-pound and is between five and six inches in length. The five models of die grinders lets you choose the air tool that best fits your die grinding needs. Master Power also offers a choice of three models of wheel grinders with either front or rear exhaust, 13,500 maximum free RPM and wheel capacity of four inches.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
How to Reset the Air Bag Light on a 2005 Frontier

You can reset the air bag light on your 2005 Frontier right from your home garage in just a few moments. When the SRS, or air bag, light illuminates on the instrument panel, it means there is a malfunction in the air bag system that needs to be looked at and repaired immediately. If not, you risk the air bag deploying while you are driving. Once you have addressed the problem, just reset the light and it will turn off. You should reset it as soon as you have fixed the problem, so it can accurately alert you to any future problems that may arise.
Instructions
- 1
Get inside your Frontier and close all doors. Put the key into the ignition and turn it to the "on" position. Make sure you dont start the engine, though. Once the air bag light flashes, turn the key to the "off" position immediately.
2Wait 10 seconds and turn the vehicle on, wait for the air bag light to flash, then immediately turn off the vehicle.
3Repeat Step 2 one more time. This should reset and turn off the air bag light.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Recommended Air Compressor Oil

Like most machines with motors, lubrication is needed to ensure a long product life and guarantee day-to-day functionality. With a diverse array of oils on the market, it can be easy to get confused about which type of oil you need for your air compressor.
Manufacturer Recommended Oil
The first place to check when trying to find out which oil is best for your air compressor is with the manufacturers recommendation. New compressors come with user manuals. If you have a used air compressor or your user manual does not recommend a specific type of oil, contact the manufacturer with your question.
Synthetic Compressor Oil
These days, most oil manufacturers have synthetic options available for air compressors. In fact, synthetics are usually recommended for compressors that are run for extended periods of time. Most synthetic oil manufacturers have a list of air compressor models their different synthetics work with best.
Regular Compressor Oil
If you dont feel like you need a synthetic oil for your air compressor, standard 20 weight and 30 weight oils should work just fine. Just make sure that whichever air compressor oil you choose, however, is nondetergent and nonflammable. The 20 and 30 weight options should be able to maintain viscosity in most air compressor applications. If you run at very high temperatures, however, you may want a 40 or 50 weight option.
Tuesday, October 8, 2013
How to Reset an Air Bag Warning Light

The airbag warning light illuminates in your vehicle when the supplemental restraint system, or SRS, malfunctions. When the light turns on, you need to immediately have the vehicle examined and repaired by a professional mechanic. Usually this requires replacement of the entire airbag unit. After it has been replaced, you can manually reset the SRS light yourself using a paperclip. No other special tools are required to do the job.
Instructions
- 1
Locate the fuse panel cover on the drivers side, on the lower part of the dashboard. Pull down on it from the top using your fingers.
2Find a yellow connector that is plugged in the panel. This is called the Supplemental Restraint System power connector.
3Remove the yellow connector from the fuse panel.
4Unfold and straighten out a paperclip and put one end into each of the SRS plug terminals.
5Put the key into the ignition and turn the vehicle to the "on" position. Make sure the engine doesnt start. This will jump the terminals, which will reset and turn off the SRS light.
6Put the power connector back into the fuse panel and close the fuse panel cover. Turn off the vehicle and wait about a minute.
7Turn on the engine. Look on the instrument cluster to verify that the SRS light is off.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
Who Carries Donaldson Air Filters
Founded in 1916, Donaldson Company, Inc. provides air filtration devices and parts for the automotive, aerospace and industrial industries. The company provides supplies directly to the industry rather than marketing air-purifying systems to consumers, although consumers may purchase certain items from distributors.
Buy Direct
Order industrial hydraulic equipment, compressed air and filter products directly from the manufacturer. Purchase additional catalog items online through the website. While the public may access the online catalog, you must create an account to place orders or for quotations.
Distributors
Automotive suppliers frequently carry Donaldson emission-reducing products and engine filters. Ask your local dealer or find a distributor through the Where to Buy distributor locator on Donaldsons website. While you may use your complete address to locate the nearest dealer, a city and zip code suffices.
Tetratex
Donaldson Tetratex membranes filter out the smallest nano-particles. This specialty product is only sold to manufacturers of equipment and bag filters. The product appears in products ranging from vacuum cleaners and systems to applications where micro-filtration is needed, such as in a clean room, where dust will damage sensitive electronics. Contact Donaldson or one of its international offices if you represent a qualified company.
Monday, September 30, 2013
When I Turn on the Air Conditioner the Fan Blows But the Outside Compressor Doesnt Come On

Since its introduction to the automotive world in the 1940 Packard, air-conditioning systems have been through many changes. The most drastic change was the shift from R12 to R134a, due to environmental concerns. When you turn on the air conditioner by pressing the power button and turning on the fan, you expect to hear the compressor kick on. There are six main reasons for the compressor not to turn on when you expect it to.
Incorrect Charge Level
All air-conditioning systems use a refrigerant to cool the cabin of the vehicle -- either R134a or R12. All post-1996 vehicles use R134a and prior to that, most vehicles used R12 refrigerant, commonly called Freon. The air-conditioning system requires a specific amount for refrigerant to run without causing damage. If the charge is low, most cars cut off power to the compressor to keep it from turning on.
Failed Pressure Sensor
Air-conditioning systems are under high pressure -- some exceed 200 psi. If the system has too much or too little pressure, damage may occur. Most modern vehicles use an air-conditioning pressure switch to monitor the pressures and cut power to the compressor if the pressures are incorrect. If this switch fails, no power can get to the compressor and it will not turn on.
Failed Wiring
The air-conditioning systems in all cars have a series of power and ground wires. If one of these wires fails, the compressor cannot receive power and will not turn on. This failed wiring can also cause additional problems with your vehicle.
Failed Air Conditioning Switch
To engage the air conditioner, you must press a switch inside the vehicle. If the electronics inside this button fails, the compressor will not turn on, as it will not receive power.
Blown Fuse
As with all electric systems in vehicles, there is a fuse that protects the compressor from power overload, typically 10 to 30 amps. If the amperage exceeds the limits of the fuse, it will break the circuit and the compressor will no longer receive power.
Failed Compressor
The compressor has a clutch on the front that engages and disengages as you turn the air conditioning on and off. If this clutch fails, it causes the compressor to either lock up or spin freely. If the latter is true, the compressor cannot turn on, as the power is not transferring from the drive belt to the compressor. If the former is true, the pulley locks up with the compressor and you will hear a loud screeching sound from the belt spinning on the stuck pulley.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
What Is the Bore in an Air Cylinder

The interior diameter of an air cylinder equals its bore. This measurement helps determine the use and maintenance needs of a particular air cylinder.
Measuring Bore
A bore gauge measures the bore. A small-hole gauge user sets the gauge smaller than the bore, inserts the gauge into the cylinder, and adjusts it until he feels a slight pressure when the gauge makes contact with the inside of the cylinder. He removes the gauge and measures the bore with a caliper or micrometer.
Choosing Air Cylinders
Choosing the right air cylinder involves considering the bore, the operating pressure and the stroke. The operating pressure measures the number of pounds per square inch (PSI) the air cylinder can withstand, and the stroke quantifies the distance between fully extended and fully retracted rod positions in inches.
Maintenance Work
Maintenance technicians measure bore to find wear on an air cylinder. The technician takes the bore measurement in intervals throughout the cylinder to determine the degree and placement of the wear. If the bore measurements vary greatly, the cylinder needs re-boring to restore its condition.
Considerations
Accurate bore measurement relies on a fully clean air cylinder, accurate instruments and a feel for the process. Accurate bore values make the difference between the function and failure of projects using air cylinders and the upkeep or decline of the air cylinders themselves.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
How to Bleed Air From a 22RE Radiator
Anytime you open the cooling system, you run the risk of allowing air into the system, rendering it less efficient. This might be caused by a leak, draining and refilling the radiator or simply alowing the coolant level to drop. If you open the radiator cap and the coolant level doesnt reach the rim, there is air present in the Toyota 22RE cooling system and you need to properly remove it to ensure optimal performance.
Instructions
- 1
Ensure that the engine is cool. Remove the radiator cap and see the coolant level reaches the rim. If not, add coolant as specified by the owners manual. Add coolant to the overflow reservoir until it reaches the "Full-Cold" level.
2Place a drain pan under the radiator drain valve, on the bottom passenger side of the radiator. Use your fingers, or a pair of pliers if necesary, to open the radiator drain valve and allow a small amount of coolant to drain out. Close the valve.
3Refill the radiator. Slowly squeeze the upper radiator hose to ensure it has no air inside. Repeat this a few times and top off the radiator. Replace the radiator cap.
4Start the vehicle and turn the heater control to "High." Allow the vehicle to warm up until the upper radiator hose is hot to the touch. This means the thermostat has opened and coolant is flowing through the system. Turn off the engine.
5Check the radiator cap to see if it is cool enough to touch. Place a rag over the cap and slowly open it, releasing pressure a little at a time. Top off the radiator and the overflow reservoir, if necessary. The system is now fully primed with coolant and free of air.