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
Wow nice design on the high side, same as coltri fourth stage. I recon the water is from condensation from your 24h test, the amount will fit in the cylinder when at top dead center.
Small change in design would cure this, rotating the head 180deg would bring the exhaust down where the water can collect and evacuating it easier.
Did you try to turn the high pressure valve cover counter clockwise, maybe its left hand threaded.
Marko
Low Pressure Cylinder
Onward to the low pressure cylinder.
One wipe with a paper towel and….
No it isn’t oil. It is a pool of rusty water.
After wiping clean. It looks much better. I also moved the piston further into the crankcase after wiping. That is why you see that residue line. The rings were definitely selling against the water.
I don’t understand how so much water accumulated in the low pressure cylinder. I checked the coolant o-rings and their seats. All look fine. I don’t think the water got in from the cooling system running. It is a mystery.
So, overall, the compressor, especially the high pressure cylinder is impressively built.
The low pressure side, is not bypassing large amounts of oil, but there is this puzzling pooling of water in the low pressure cylinder.
Could this have been left over from a prior disassembly where coolant was spilled into the low pressure cylinder? It’s just weird.
could this be the cause-
“Condensation forming in the low pressure zone above the wing of an aircraft due to adiabatic expansion”
the high pressure side is the nose of the jet, the low pressure region following causes condensation of water?
Interesting ring free piston!
Re: water in your low pressure cylinder: Id be looking very closely at your cylinder head for a crack/corrosion or porous casting letting cooling water in. Is it possible it is condensation from compression that hasn’t been able to escape after that long run and shut down?
High and low pressure cylinders inspected. Results are both astonishingly good and we have a bad mystery to solve.
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990&p=371785#p371785
Tagged for the teardown 🙂
Where’s the tear down? Impatient ones want to see inside.
Seems it now says item #8 – automatic drain valve of electronic drain valve
Also #5 says (conforms) …”to DINEN12021 Ensure you to get the pure air able to breath”
does this mean it has a high side molecular filter and zero oil vapors in the output side?
Ok thanks will wait.
It’s the same manufacturer but the one that Guykuo is testing has an automatic timer moisture drain and PMV valve which I don’t see on the unit
being advertised on Aliexpress. I’d wait to see if the newer factory units will include these features.
Is this the same compressor thats on aliexpress for $1199?? It looks about the same and the seller is using the word carette in it.
I’m planning to do the tear down this Monday. Wife will kill me if I try to do this during the holiday.
Well it certainly looks very promising for now. Time and guykuos review will reveal more. Waiting to see how it’s made, and hoping it’s good because airgun industry just needs more compressors to choose from.
Marko
Hope the final version has a filter cartridge holder housing setup,and the insert portion has ends that can be unscrewed and be able to dump the materials, I would have 2 inserts , R&R the one on the unit and rejuvenate the materials of the cartridge just pulled and ready for another swap.
Hope Mr. Wang is following and entertaining all suggestions and will offer the insert filter kit,a soft goods kit,hard goods kit as an adder on the compressor purchase,make a package or fist aid kit so a person is not waiting for days for parts when a maintenance task needs to be done. Really Really hope this unit turns out good, I really need a good compressor ,my closest air source that can do 300 bar is now 1.5 hours away and hand pumping just sucks
Completed a continuous 24 hour torture test. I’m pretty impressed. If the tear down doesn’t reveal obvious areas of deterioration, this is going to be a smiles all around.
http://www.talonairgun.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=35990#p371784
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I don’t see any cracks in the low side cylinder head. Also, if there were a leak connecting the cooling system to the cylinder interior, I should have seen air getting injected into the cooling system during run time. I think we are all going to be of the opinion that the water is residual condensate that could not drain out of the cylinder.
Marko, your idea about needing to twist the cylinder 180 degrees to bring the outlet to the bottom rather than the top is brilliant. There might be even less engineering involved if the machining of the head allows twisting of the valve plate 180 without moving the location of the air outlet. However, I think the ultimate solution for avoiding this would place both the cylinder exit port and the air outlet connector at the 6 o’clock position.
Granted a 24 hour run was pretty severe, but if condensate can’t be reliably removed, it is going to collect and corrode the cylinder. Would running the compressor for a while with the water oil separator wide open post usage help the compressor clear out residual water? Clearly, simply turning off the compressor and depressurizing the system is not enough.
I have written Sincere about these findings. Hopefully, they can make water collecting in the low pressure cylinder a non-issue.
If this condensate issue can be reliably prevented, I think we have a very viable compressor for our air gun market. The high pressure side looks fantastic after the 24 hour torture test.
I didn’t try counterclockwise on the high side valve cover. Shades of me trying to open my John Hagan air regulator tester the first time. Maybe that’s the issue. Usually, the problem is my being too gentle.