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
Testing not happening tonight. It’s under 40F in the garage and I’m bushed.
Probably Thursday realistically.
…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.
Can we get confirmation that the Carette available now on Aliexpress has the following:
a PMV,
high pressure air filter unit and
automated condensate drain system
foster whip
DIN whip
These seem very important to budget decisions
A five minute, post usage run with the drain open is going to be the recommended after every time the compressor is used. This process should be done each time, not just periodically during idle storage.
I plan a two part test.
1. Verify that the an unloaded, 5 minute run does indeed clear residual condensate from low pressure cylinder.
Plan: Intentionally place 3 ml of distilled water into the low pressure cylinder. Reassemble. Refill with coolant. Run for 5 minutes with drains open. Drain coolant. Reopen low pressure cylinder to verify that the water has been cleared.
2. Verify that an hour loaded run followed by a 5 minutes, unloaded run clears the low pressure cylinder.
Run with load for one hour. Post run 5 minutes, unloaded. Inspect cylinder. (fill & drain coolant of course)
If both tests come out with an empty low pressure cylinder, then we know the post run procedure works (and is needed)
May also want to note temperature and humidity and pressure of atmosphere during the time of test.
I really hope the clearance procedure works.
As I evaluate the compressor, I’m looking for…
1. Does it work?
2. Is anything obviously hazardous?
3. Is the air it produces clean & dry?
4. Can a non-compressor engineer, air gunner run it?
5. Does the internal build suggest it will last for years of service?
6. Is the manufacturer responsive?
Overall, this IS an impressive machine in terms of build, design, and features.
A five minute, post usage run with the drain open is going to be the recommended after every time the compressor is used. This process should be done each time, not just periodically during idle storage.
I plan a two part test.
1. Verify that the an unloaded, 5 minute run does indeed clear residual condensate from low pressure cylinder.
Plan: Intentionally place 3 ml of distilled water into the low pressure cylinder. Reassemble. Refill with coolant. Run for 5 minutes with drains open. Drain coolant. Reopen low pressure cylinder to verify that the water has been cleared.
2. Verify that an hour loaded run followed by a 5 minutes, unloaded run clears the low pressure cylinder.
Run with load for one hour. Post run 5 minutes, unloaded. Inspect cylinder. (fill & drain coolant of course)
If both tests come out with an empty low pressure cylinder, then we know the post run procedure works (and is needed)
LMK _ may keep it on my list
BTW – please pm me the link on aliexpress?
OK. I will clean up the low pressure cylinder and do another test to see if an unloaded run of several minutes will clear out residual condensate. The 24 hour continuous run would have built up more than a normal run episode. Sincere’s engineers don’t think rotating the cylinder will remove the issue.
A five minute, post usage run with the drain open is going to be the recommended after every time the compressor is used. This process should be done each time, not just periodically during idle storage.
I plan a two part test.
1. Verify that the an unloaded, 5 minute run does indeed clear residual condensate from low pressure cylinder.
Plan: Intentionally place 3 ml of distilled water into the low pressure cylinder. Reassemble. Refill with coolant. Run for 5 minutes with drains open. Drain coolant. Reopen low pressure cylinder to verify that the water has been cleared.
2. Verify that an hour loaded run followed by a 5 minutes, unloaded run clears the low pressure cylinder.
Run with load for one hour. Post run 5 minutes, unloaded. Inspect cylinder. (fill & drain coolant of course)
If both tests come out with an empty low pressure cylinder, then we know the post run procedure works (and is needed)
HPA compressor is mainly high pressure, low pressure test we have not been a problem for several years.
Compressed air will produce water, not so much, I mean top of piston will not be so much water
Clean new installation, test days compressor apart to see how they know their normal
This
I wouldn’t go that far. Don’t cross it off the list.
Overall, the most compressor is doing very well in the sections most difficult to avoid a problem. The pit is not an expectable part of the compressor’s life. In this test example, it clearly did not clear residual condensate adequately and after it sat over the holidays, there was enough time to make a localized pit. It probably won’t be enough to ruin the operational seal. However, either a physical and/or operational change to better clear residual condensate is needed.
Running the compressor for 5 minutes with the water & oils separator bleed open after each filling session would be a reasonable idea. The storage instructions DO state that as a q 2 month procedure to maintain the compressor. I didn’t expect to need that at the end of each session, but I that isn’t unreasonable an operation requirement. I’ll probably start doing that with my Bauer as well after seeing this happen in the Carette.
I really do think it is condensate because I didn’t even breach the water cooling jacket on that cylinder and was awfully careful to look out for the coolant after experiencing a mess on the high pressure side.
So, no, don’t cross it off your list. Overall, the machine looks like it will last. The highest area of concern, the high pressure cylinder passes with flying colors. This condensate in the lower pressure side is solvable.
Am I correct in thinking that Pits corroded into the cylinder wall = leaks = broken compressor that can’t be fixed without replacing the cylinder walls = super expensive fix?
If this happened in on a 24 hour test, it’s probably going to occur over 50 to 100 hours of use so that would cross it off my list
Unless one was willing to do a tear down and remove any condensate after every few hours of use
I don’t think this actually is from the disassembly. Have your technicians consider the pattern of rust is consistent with it having been present and dispersed during run time. See how the spread covers areas that are accessible to the internal volume of the cylinder.
Also, the corrosion pattern matches the size of pool of rusty water I discovered.
It was VERY rusty water in a pool that matches the visible corrosion. I doubt I could have spilled that exact same volume of coolant into the cylinder and it become so heavily saturated with rust. At any rate this warrants more examination.
LOOK
Attachments:
Our technician checked the photo. There was not so much dusty water as the photo shows during our normal testing. The water in the photo comes from the disassembly process.The water from the cylinder head went into this area.
We need to do idle running for several minutes to fully bleed out the remaining water.
Our usual way of bleeding out the dusty water is through idle running for 3 to 5 minutes.
I usually do run my compressor after filling all the drains fully open for a minute, not much effort in that and it does drive some water out of the system.
Check the first stage pressure if you can, would be interesting to know what it’s running at.
But all in all this is looking pretty good.
Marko
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Probably Thursday realistically.
hmmm- cmon over, its about 70 in my garage at 9:23pm 😉