Carette 4500 PSI Compressor Report
The Carette 4500 compressor is a Chinese compressor that seeks to fill the price performance gap between “big boy” dive compressors and Shoebox compressors.
Mr. Wang has kindly supplied a demonstrator unit for testing. As a demonstrator unit rather than a final production unit, the test unit may not match the appearance and configuration of the actual shipped units. This one included a PMV, high pressure air filter unit and automated condensate drain system. I do not know if those features will be in the final configuration. I have been told that the external finish will be better on the actual units. Also, the crankshaft bearing and rods will be more durable than those on this demonstrator.
I had hoped to be testing a unit that is an actual production sample, but because this is a demonstrator unit, bear in mind that the shipped product may differ from what I am testing. This does affect my ability to report whether the machine is a thumbs up or down. If the production units are worse than what I’m testing, I certainly wouldn’t be happy, nor would our forum members. On the other hand, I am getting very appropriate and encouraging responses from the manufacturer regarding my findings. Mr. Wang (Sincere) is actively improving the machine based on my comments.
For instance, he was ready about make changes regarding current draw based on my measurements. I don’t think changing the current draw would be worth it, if it slows the compressors. Also, the amount of oil I see in the condensate was already a known issue on this demonstrator. They already have a different component that cuts the oil bypass to 1/3 what I’m seeing. The oil bypass even on this demonstrator isn’t horrible. He’s also planning how to integrate the air filter on the compressor frame. It’s that type of desire to make a better product that I want in a manufacturer.
Rather than the demonstrator being perfect and production machines worse, we could end up with better production machines. However, I can only report what I am seeing and won’t speculate on what will actually ship to you. On the other hand, I have the impression that Mr. Wang actually does intend to deliver what he promises.
Main Topic Posts Index
Unpacking, Parts, Feature Details
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990&sid=25a9f57107862238e05a475ca0efe908#p371780
Oil, Water, Initial Run-in
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990&sid=25a9f57107862238e05a475ca0efe908#p371781
Rifle Air Cylinder Filling Test
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990#p371782
Great White CF Tank Top Off & Fill From Empty Tests
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990#p371783
24 Hour Torture Test
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990#p371784
All Replies
SEND THE COMPRESSOR BACK.the oil getting dark is a big problem .I have a 20+yr. old MAKO 4 STAGE COMPRESSOR & the oil never get dark & it’s BAUER OIL. SEND IT BACK BEFORE YOUR WARRANTY RUNS OUT. YOUR GETTING FED BS HTH.
But I did not tighten it too hard. I tightened until the oring sit and tightened slightly more. Also it was not a snap off. The surface had obvious melting mark.
Also for an update on the oil, I got a quart of oil from Joe’s and now they told me it is the same Bauer oil I have been using. Uh??? I guess you read it right. Joe told me I used wrong oil when I told him I used BAUER compressor oil in my carette then he sold me same BAUER oil??? Same iso, same sae???? I was told it is Bauer oil just got repackaged for their sale. It just did not make any sense to me.
Anyway, a few phones calls and a bottle of oil later, it is just the same and I will have to wait and see.
beware of JB /Airgunscientist’s BS tactics . I am well aware of his tactics
Thanks for the reminder on the air breather.
But I did not tighten it too hard. I tightened until the oring sit and tightened slightly more. Also it was not a snap off. The surface had obvious melting mark.
Also for an update on the oil, I got a quart of oil from Joe’s and now they told me it is the same Bauer oil I have been using. Uh??? I guess you read it right. Joe told me I used wrong oil when I told him I used BAUER compressor oil in my carette then he sold me same BAUER oil??? Same iso, same sae???? I was told it is Bauer oil just got repackaged for their sale. It just did not make any sense to me.
Anyway, a few phones calls and a bottle of oil later, it is just the same and I will have to wait and see.
Hi Jungle,
I would like to remind you when you tighten the air breather, make sure DO NOT tighten it too hard, just be very gentle tightening them.
We had a lot(maybe almost 10 units) of feedback from customers reporting the breather “melting” which is definitely not the case.
Sincere (the factory boss) told me that even his worker sometimes over-tighten the breather (The worker would think that kind of force will not over-tighten the breather).
Hope you will have your Carette running perfectly in the future.
I really love to hear your opinions on the oil.
I just spoked to Joe and the oil was the first thing he pointed out. As humdinger mentioned, I thought Bauer 0024 oil was premium oil on compressor. Could Bauer compressor oil mess up any compressor??? Maybe this carette was designed to use their oil only and it would been nice to be told when the compressor was purchased.
Anyway, the new oil was ordered and will report more when I put the new oil in carette.
Bauer 0024 is premium compressor oil. Changing oil won’t solve the problem if you’re already using this quality compressor oil already.
It sounds like you have a warranty issue. I’d contact the distributor for service or a warranty repair. After the initial 5 hour break in, oil normally does not blacken in a Carette unless something unusal is going on inside the compressor. The melting breather caps indicates a high temperature condition in the crankcase caused by who knows what. Has it made any different sounds while it is running?
I am using Bauer Compressor OIL-0024 Compressor Oil (Synthetic) in my carette. Maybe that is not the right one? I used the oil that was provided with carette at first then stop using after first 5 hours. Also draining oil when warm up.
Less fume for sure with bauer oil, but not sure for long running time. Just saw bauer oil got darkened after about 10 hrs. I will change when darkened and check out other oil types listed.
If you are still using the original oil supplied with the compressor then run it with no load for a few minutes to warm up the oil Drain out the oil completely by tilting the compressor in the direction of the oil window. Buy Secolube 500 from Filtertechs.com, Bauer 0019, or Royal Purple Synfilm 100 compressor oi. Your compressor is probably overheating and seizing up from using an improper type of oil. The recommended compressor oils do not darken or seize up the pistons between runs. Do not use any oil that came in an relabeled container regardless of who supplied it.
22 hour run report on my carette.
I changed oil again after 10 hour run since it darkened pretty bad. Another seize in the crank case and I pulled the belt manually to free up the piston. Second seize up and got me wondered again. I changed an oring to a viton on the breather neck, it is still one piece. I cant tell if it was an oring issue or the breather itself though.
Other than that, as mentioned above my carette is on 22 hr and running to fill a tank.
Also I really think a small coolant reserve tank should be a standard also feature on all carette.
Yes, I checked the fan is running 100% and meanwhile I added a small anti freeze reserve bottle. I found that it was almost impossible to get rid of air bubbles perfectly without a reserve tank. The crankcases are still touchable when running but still hot like a hot coffee cup.
The good news is no broken breather yet after another 3 hours on the compressor.
If anyone wants to add an alpha filter with the carette and want to fill the gun directly from the compressor, then should add another bleed valve on the alpha for extra cost as guykuo mentioned on this thread earlier. I missed it when I purchased my carette. So no direct fill to guns for me.
Crossing my fingers for my carette to run without any more drama.
I will report later on how my carette is doing.
However, the crankcase has been touchable when running. I always check if the crankcase is getting too hot by touching.
Maybe i had a couple of bad breathers????
Hope those were end of my problems.
did you get this figured out yet ? roger
99% sure the fan is running. But I will have to check to make it sure 100% running.
However, the crankcase has been touchable when running. I always check if the crankcase is getting too hot by touching.
Maybe i had a couple of bad breathers????
Hope those were end of my problems.
Yes. There is something causing extra mechanical resistance or diminished cooling if the crankcase is getting hot enough to melt the breather plugs. It shouldn’t be anywhere near that hot.
The pancake cooling fan on the radiator is blowing up at the crankcase right?
Hi,
I have not potsted about it yet but here. So you could not read about it anywhere. I asked guykuo about it though.
I used oil that came with the compressor and now using bauer synthetic. I did changed oil every 5 hours and the oil was pretty dark. It happened with both oil brands. I filled upto the instructed level and checked every time before I run the compressor. I usually run the compressor about an hour and found breather got melted and fallen next to the compressor a few hours later after i finished running it. The threaded neck area got melted both times. Thread was stuck in the case and top part fell.
Then the compressor got seized once and I had to crank it in order to free it.
Those are pretty odd to me as well and I really hope mine keep running without further problems.
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Something is awry with that compressor. Shouldn’t be giving anywhere near this kind of behavior if it matches what I was testing last year.