Air compressor from a compressor from a household refrigerator. Compressor for airbrushing from a refrigerator motor. Selection of accessories

The industry currently offers a range of compressors it manufactures. True, the range is not too big. And there are a lot of disadvantages of such units. Therefore, you might think that a home-made refrigerator compressor is completely devoid of such shortcomings. And what - it can very well be!

Materials for the manufacture of the compressor

In order to independently make a compressor for the refrigerator, you will need nothing at all. But the main component of a homemade refrigeration compressor will be a unit from a conventional refrigerator.

In addition, you will need:

Automotive air filter that can work perfectly under any pressure
Bypass valve, combined with a check valve, rated for a pressure of 6 atmospheres and commonly used by plumbers
Any synthetic hose capable of withstanding a pressure of 6 atmospheres
Copper connecting pipes
Make a storage tank called a receiver. Moreover, the volume of the receiver should be provided in such a way that the larger it is, the less often the equipment will be put into operation.

Remember that the accumulated air pressure in the receiver decreases as it is used up. If the equipment will be used only for inflating tires, where the maximum allowable pressure should not exceed 3 atmospheres, then this is not very critical. But if the unit is designed to work with pneumatic tools, then this can be very critical.

Where to begin?

And, as they say, you have to start from the beginning. Namely - to make a tank. Its design should include 3 nozzles:

Day off
Input
Designed to drain condensate

Helpful Hints:

When installing the compressor from the refrigerator with your own hands and the tank itself, the drain pipe must be located strictly below so that the condensate drains without problems. There may be a small problem with the unit itself. That is, he sometimes "wants" to get rid of the oil. To prevent this from happening, the outlet pipe must be bent up at a certain angle.

By the way, the inlet pipe also needs to be bent up in the same way, putting a rubber tube on it, the other end of which is connected to the air filter
A bypass valve is needed to prevent air from flowing in the opposite direction. In addition, when the pressure reaches its maximum limits (more than 6 atmospheres), it will simply open and expel excess air.
As for the reliability of the unit, it is usually capable of delivering at least 15 atmospheres, so there is no need to doubt its reliability. For safety reasons, it is recommended to screw in a shut-off valve at the outlet of the receiver, which can be any plumbing valve. While the receiver is filled with air, the valve can be closed. As a matter of fact, the design of a home-made receiver can be absolutely any and is limited solely by the imagination of the most homegrown "designer"

As a storage tank (receiver), craftsmen usually use used receivers from the KAMAZ brake system, since it already has all the necessary fittings. If there is no way to find the old "KAMAZ" receiver, you can make it from an old fire extinguisher. But know that in this case you will have to work hard to weld the fittings and pipes correctly
Some try to stop using a large number of connecting tubes. However, such work is immediately doomed to failure. The best operational results were shown by oxygen hoses used in welding, but their weight is quite large, and a compressor with similar nozzles is not very convenient to use.
To start the finished assembled compressor, it is necessary to provide a compressor start relay and add a switch

The refrigeration compressor itself is recommended to be made on a frame and only on rubber cushions. If possible, it is advisable to install a pressure gauge in series with the check valve to monitor the pressure. Although, in practice, craftsmen often act differently: they install a pneumatic pressure switch designed to disconnect the unit from the network. If such a valve is correctly adjusted, the unit will turn off at the lower and upper thresholds of the pressure value
It is also a good idea to provide an overheating cut-off relay so that accidental overheating of the equipment does not destroy the fruitful results of your work.

What happens: a general view of the compressor

In general, the scheme of a self-assembled and working compressor is planned as follows:

The refrigeration compressor takes outside air through the air filter and pipe
A bypass valve is installed at the end of the inlet hose
There is also a control valve at the outlet of the tank.
A hose is connected to the control equipment itself, ending with a pneumatic gun

In principle, making a refrigeration compressor with your own hands is cool. True, it is necessary to start such work only after all the necessary structural elements are already at hand.

To buy or not to buy? That's the question. But for those who have an old faulty refrigerator with a working compressor, this question disappears - of course, make a compressor for painting using the available materials yourself!

Self-assembly of the compressor is not as complicated as it seems at first glance, especially if you know the principle of its operation. To assemble the compressor, you will need an engine driving air into a container where the same air will be under pressure. The mechanism is designed in such a way that excess air, due to which the pressure in the tank may exceed the necessary one, exits through a special bleed valve. This is necessary so that during the process of painting the car (or whatever else is needed), the paint lays evenly on the entire surface, and this effect can be achieved only when there is constant pressure in the sprayer.

The compressor can be used in a wide variety of areas - for tire inflation, airbrushing, painting spare parts and so on. With the necessary tools and certain knowledge, it is quite possible to independently manufacture this unit based on a conventional refrigerator. A homemade compressor gives about 7 atmospheres, which is enough for an ordinary garage workshop. The refrigerator compressor will turn out to be quite quiet and, most importantly, cheap at cost.

Which is better - homemade or purchased?

In total, there are several main differences between them:

The design of the factory compressor has an electric motor that transmits torque to the working chamber through a belt drive. As for the homemade compressor, it consists of a housing and the engine itself, without belts.
In the factory version, automatic pressure relief systems, inlet and outlet filters, pressure gauges, etc. are already installed. In the compressor from the refrigerator, you will have to install the adjusting equipment yourself, taking into account all the features.
Despite the fact that most factory compressors are equipped with automatic systems, this feature is not implemented in some budget models. In other words, these units will have to be turned off on their own, marking the time by the clock. Homemade compressors are mainly equipped with a protective relay that turns off the engine when there is a risk of overheating.
In some factory models, any lubrication may be completely absent. Of course they are small, but there are no various exhausts. This circumstance is very important, especially if the spray gun behaves rather capriciously, not tolerating various impurities. As for homemade compressors, there is plenty of oil.
The main feature of a homemade compressor is that it works very quietly, especially if you put all the tubes on it correctly, observing tightness. As for factory compressors, they behave more noisily, so its use is only possible outside the home.
The cost of manufacturing a home-made compressor is very low, because the main components are taken from old technology, and the control equipment will cost a maximum of 1000 rubles.
It is not possible to make any technical changes to the factory compressor. In other words, if the unit is not powerful enough, then it can only be used as a tire inflation pump, no more. Homemade options are good because you can add some details to them, for example, a large receiver, so you can significantly increase the power of the device.

As practice shows, a home-made compressor for painting a car breaks down much less frequently than its foreign and domestic factory counterparts. On the Internet you can find many instructions for building compressors with your own hands. So let's discuss a few options that can help in this matter.

Schemes for the manufacture of a homemade compressor

Here are several options for device assembly schemes - choose which one is best suited for your purposes:

Compressor Assembly Parts

pressure switch;
manometer;
gearbox with oil separator;
oil separator filter;
adapters;
cross;
fitting and nut;
clutch;
nipple;
a tube;
car clamps;
receiver;
nuts, studs, washers;
furniture wheels;
motor oil;
toggle switch;
plug and cord;
fuel filter;
plywood panels (chipboard);
refrigerator compressor;
oil and petrol resistant hose, screws, Epoxylin, sealant, paint, fum tape, rust remover and other small things.

In my options, I checked several different control valves. After several attempts, I ordered a RUCK14IAMSV check valve, it does not buzz and can be perfect for building a compressor from refrigeration units. You also need to buy a safety valve (MINI SVM14-12). Take a tank from a powder fire extinguisher 16 kg. The pressure in the tank is 9.5 bar and the shelf life is 2 months.

Important: pay attention to which oil to fill in - synthetics are very poorly combined with regular ones, so you do not need to pour everything that is horrible.

An oil separator must be installed between the compressor and the tank.
Oil should be added through the third brazed tube.
It is best to solder the connector and screw it in with a screw or a metal plug.
Install a dehydrator, it also captures oil.

Due to the sudden failure of the refrigerator, he became the owner of an efficient 110 watt unit. Of course it can be converted into a compressor. There is an automotive airbrush, which was previously used with a 12-watt compressor, as well as a high-power compressor. These devices are noisy and short-lived. So I had to make my own.

Compressor assembly instructions

It is important to properly dismantle the compressor in order not to damage it. First, use the wire cutters to cut through the tubes coming out of the engine leading to the grille. Next, the wires from the relay are cut off, but their length should remain approximately 20 cm. Before unscrewing the compressor, it is necessary to make a mark on the relay cover.

In addition to the outlet and inlet tubes, the compressor from a conventional refrigerator is equipped with a third tube with a sealed end. In order to use it for painting cars in the future, it is necessary to remove the clogged part. To do this, using a hacksaw for metal, you should make a neat incision around the tube, but without sawing it to the end, and then break off the filed piece. It is important that metal chips do not get inside.

The remaining pipe must be flared and drained of the old oil, then pour semi-synthetics into it in the same amount. After that, the pipe is clogged with a screw wrapped in fum tape.

The fire extinguisher body will go great for the receiver. It is important that it be cast, seamless and have a volume of 10 liters or more. Before using it, you need to inspect the inside of the fire extinguisher for corrosion. A flashlight is used for inspection. If corrosion is still present, it must be removed with a special liquid.

Stages of assembly work

To make a compressor from the refrigerator means to follow a simple sequence of steps:

Take pliers, a spanner wrench for 12, 2 screwdrivers - for plus and minus. At the bottom of the back panel, bite with pliers the tubes connecting the compressor to the cooling system. Unscrew the start relay, after marking the upper and lower sides on it. Disconnect the relay from the plug. We take all the fasteners with us.
Function test: connect the relay back, provide air access to the compressor through the pipes, connect to the network. If everything is done correctly, then the device works. Air will enter one tube and exit the other. Label these tubes.
Attach the compressor with self-tapping screws to a wooden board.
We take an old fire extinguisher, 1 hose 600 mm long, 2 others - 100 mm, fuel filter, clamps, pressure gauge, sealant. We already have a drill, screwdriver, pliers.
If there is no fire extinguisher, then we will make a plastic container. To do this, you need to take a container with a volume of more than 3 liters. Make 2 holes. Insert the inlet tube into 1 hole at a distance of 2 cm from the bottom of the container. We lower the outlet pipeline 10 cm deep. It is impossible to install a pressure gauge on a plastic tank.
If there is an iron tank, then the tubes can be fixed by welding. We install a pressure gauge on the iron receiver.
We fasten the receiver and compressor together.
Put a filter on a hose 10 cm long, attach the free end of the tube to the inlet of the designed apparatus. Connect the receiver inlet to the compressor outlet with another hose. We fix the docking points with clamps. A diesel filter is attached to the last hose, and its free end is inserted into the outlet of the receiver. Equipment can be put on the remaining end of the tube, if necessary, so that airbrushing and painting become available.

The second version of the step-by-step instructions:

We drill a special hole for the adapter to be fixed. You can choose different methods, for example, the most affordable is cold welding (using Epoxylin).
We carefully clean the bottom of the receiver from dirt - plaque and rust. This is necessary in order for Epoxylin to adhere well to the surface for strong bonding. And, of course, so that the paint does not get dirty and does not stray into lumps with debris. This can be achieved by cleaning the bottom of the fire extinguisher to a metallic sheen with a rotary-circular motion with sandpaper.
We fix the adapter, clamping it on the front side with a nut, and give time to harden Epoxylin according to the instructions.
We turn to the base for the compressor, for which you need to get three wooden boards or a piece of plywood measuring 30 by 30 cm. For the convenience of further moving our device to the base, you can screw mobile wheels for furniture. We do not specifically describe the dimensions of the holes and other trifles, since this will all be purely individual, as it depends on the material chosen, the type of compressor, and so on.
We drill holes for the compressor and studs and mount them. The studs are secured with nuts and washers.
We put on the breath of the compressor an automobile filter with a special paper core. This will help prevent dust and other small contaminants from getting inside the compressor.
Next, let's take a look at the electrical. To make our home-made compressor for painting a car convenient to use, we equip it with a pressure switch (for example, PM5 or RDM5), as well as a shutdown toggle switch. The first device, a pressure switch, is necessary for us in order to turn off the compressor in the process of pumping air into the receiver, when the pressure reaches the allowable maximum, and vice versa, turn it on when the pressure drops below the allowable minimum. You can set the value of the maximum and minimum pressures directly on the relay using springs, with the large spring responsible for the minimum pressure (and the corresponding activation of the compressor), and the small one for the difference between the maximum and minimum pressure values.
Take a closer look and you will see 2 contacts on the relay, designed specifically for connecting it to the network. Since such relays were originally used in the water supply system, we will slightly change its purpose and connection features. Our task is to connect the first contact to the network, and the second to the compressor.
We put the general shutdown toggle switch on the gap between the pressure switch and the 220V network. This will help to de-energize the entire installation, so as not to constantly run to turn it on and off.
We paint the receiver and proceed to the final assembly.
We screw the nut with the fitting onto the filter-oil-moisture separator.
We take the hose and put it on the fitting with one end, and pull it on the compressor tube with the other and clamp it all with clamps. To do this, we take a reinforced, oil-resistant hose. Each threaded connection should be sealed with fum-tape.
We fasten the filter to the bottom of the receiver and treat the silicone joint with sealant.
We fasten the cast-iron cover, but pre-treat its threaded connection with the same sealant. To improve the seal, you can put a rubber gasket under the cover.
A tube must be screwed onto the lid, the thread of which should be a quarter inch, and a crosspiece must be screwed onto it.

Installation of device parts

For ease of storage and movement, it is best to arrange all compressor parts compactly on one base. We will use a wooden board as a basis, on which we securely fix the engine - supercharger and fire extinguisher body.

We fix the compressor engine with threaded studs threaded into pre-drilled holes and nuts with washers. We place the receiver vertically, using three sheets of plywood for fixing, in one of which we cut a hole for the cylinder.

The other two, with the help of self-tapping screws, are attached to the carrier board and glued to the sheet holding the receiver. Under the bottom of the receiver, at the base, we hollow out a recess corresponding in size. For maneuverability, we fasten wheels from furniture fittings to our base. Next, we perform the following operations:

We provide protection for our system from dust and coarse particles, for which, as an air intake, we use a coarse fuel filter for gasoline engines. For this purpose, we use a rubber hose that tightly compresses the filter fitting and the inlet tube of the supercharger. At the compressor inlet, low pressure and strengthening of contact with automotive clamps is not required. Thus, we made an inlet filter for the compressor with our own hands.

An oil separator should be installed at the compressor outlet to prevent liquid particles from passing through. As this protection element, we use a filter in the diesel engine power system. We connect it to the supercharger using an oil-resistant hose. Since the pressure at the compressor outlet is increased, here and everywhere below, to strengthen the contact, we use automobile clamps with fasteners tightened with a screw.

The oil and moisture separator is connected to the input of the gearbox. We need a reducer to untie the pressure receiver and the outlet of the supercharger. We screw its high-pressure outlet into the water crosspiece on the left or right.

We fasten a pressure gauge from the opposite entrance of the quadruple, using it we will control the pressure of compressed air in the cylinder. We screw the adjusting relay on top of the cross. We seal all connections with fum tape and sealant.

The relay will allow you to set a wide range of pressure levels in the receiver, timely interrupting the power supply circuit of the supercharger. As an actuator, you can choose PM5 or RDM5. These devices will turn on the compressor if the pressure of compressed air in the receiver drops below the set mark, and turn it off when the specified range is exceeded. The required pressure is set on the relay using two springs. A large spring sets the minimum pressure level, and a small one regulates the upper limit, setting the compressor shutdown limit. RDM5 and RM5 were originally produced for use in the water supply network and are electrically passive, that is, they are ordinary switches with two contacts. We connect one contact to the zero of the 220 V network, and the second to the supercharger.

We connect the phase wire of the network through the toggle switch to the second network input of the compressor. The introduction of a toggle switch into the electrical circuit allows you to quickly turn off the system from power without running to the outlet every time. All electrical connections are soldered and carefully insulated.

Compressor testing and tuning

Now it remains only to paint the entire compressor and proceed to field tests.

Having assembled the structure, you should check its performance. We connect an airbrush or a tire inflation gun to the compressor outlet. After that, with the toggle switch off, turn on the plug in the network. We set the control switch to the minimum pressure and then apply power to the supercharger. The pressure created in the receiver is controlled by a pressure gauge. After making sure that when a certain level is reached, the relay turns off the engine, we check the tightness of the air ducts and connections. This is easy to do with soapy water.

After making sure that the compressed air does not leave the system, we bleed it from the receiver chamber. As soon as the pressure in the cylinder drops below the set mark, the relay should work and start the compressor. If everything is functioning properly, you can try to paint some unnecessary part. Preliminary work on preparing the surface for applying enamel is not required here - it is important for us to develop skills and determine how much pressure is required to paint the product. Experimentally, we determine the value in atmospheres at which excess pressure is enough to paint the entire part with a uniform layer with a minimum amount of blower operation.

Adjustment and testing

The main test of a homemade compressor is to determine the possibility of effectively regulating the pressure that is created in the assembled system. The easiest way to do this is to test paint any surface. In this case, the following is sequentially performed:

Set the relay to 4 ... 5 atmospheres.
Connect the compressor to the network.
The pressure gauge monitors the stability of the parameter. If the relay is operable, then when the pressure is exceeded, it will turn off the compressor, otherwise open the relief valve and immediately turn off the unit.
Check the system for the absence of spontaneous bleeding of the energy carrier, for which you can use a regular soap solution.
When the pressure drops to a level below the minimum allowable, the relay should automatically turn on the compressor.
After painting a surface, it is necessary to check the quality of the paint applied to it - during an external examination, traces of moisture, foreign particles and dirt should not be detected. If such defects still occur, you should additionally check the operation of the output filter - oil and moisture separator.

Video instruction for the compressor

The operation of the assembled unit will be long and reliable if it is periodically carried out routine maintenance. It comes down to replacing the inlet filters, periodically blowing out all air lines, and also changing the oil in the compressor.

It is undesirable to load the compressor by more than 75% of its capacity. But it is quite difficult to understand where the line is, which cannot be crossed, to predict what pressure the compressor will show. It depends on when the refrigerator was released, what brand it is. On older models, this figure will be better. Then, for comfortable high-quality work, you only need to replace the consumable filters.

No need to talk again about what the compressor is for, because this is already clear. But not everyone can do it from the refrigerator with their own hands. Nevertheless, with patience, the necessary tool and theoretical knowledge, this task can be completed, and quite quickly. You can use such equipment together with an airbrush, spray gun, etc. tool. Its key features are that the operation is almost silent, and the dimensions are small. But such a compressor creates very good pressure.

Why homemade and not professional?

You probably already know the answer to this question. Often it's a matter of price. Professional compressors are expensive. And if you have an old refrigerator that is idle, then why not take yourself a few hours and not make the compressor yourself. As for the design, it is different, but not much. Purchased models have an electric motor that transmits work through a belt drive. In our case, the electric motor and the working chamber will be in the same housing, but there is no belt drive.

Less in a homemade product and automation. Although here protection against overheating needs to be installed. Such a relay will save your motor from high temperatures and prevent damage. As for lubrication, professional compressors can also be dry, that is, without lubrication. Such models work due to graphite rings. In our case, there will be a lot of lubrication, which directly affects the durability of the equipment.

It is worth noting that it is not so difficult to make a home-made compressor from the refrigerator with your own hands. But you need to understand that attention to detail is required here. In any case, if everything works out for you, then at the end you will have a functional station that can be adjusted as you like and arranged as you like. All this, unfortunately, cannot be done with purchased equipment.

Dismantling works

Before using the compressor, it must be removed from the refrigerator and equipped accordingly. But more on that later. Now actually about how to perform dismantling work. There is nothing complicated here. You will need a small set of tools: pliers, two screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), a pair of box wrenches. Probably everyone knows where the compressor is located. This is usually the lower back of the refrigerator.

Now you can start removing. You will see copper pipes that lead to the cooling system. With the help of pliers, you need to bite them off. Preferably with maximum vacation. In the future, you can use them for your own purposes. It is worth paying your attention to the fact that you need to bite off the pipes, and not try to saw them with a file. "Why?" - you ask. It's simple, when sawing, small chips are necessarily formed, which, in one size or another, enter the compressor, which can lead to a deterioration in its technical condition up to breakage.

This work is not finished, we need to remove an equally important element - the starting relay. Usually it is a white or black small box with wires coming in and out of it. Carefully unscrew the fasteners and bite off the wires leading to the plug. Mark in advance where the relay has the top and where the bottom. This may be indicated on the case, check. are needed in order to remove the carcass of the compressor. So we removed the compressor from the refrigerator with our own hands. Another point, take all the fasteners with you, they will come in handy.

Checking the functionality of the equipment

The first step after removal is to make sure that the compressor is not “dead” and can be used for your own purposes. To do this, flatten the copper tubes with pliers. This is done so that air can freely exit and enter through them. In the next step, we need to put the starting relay in the position in which it was before removal. This is extremely important. The fact is that the relay works on the principle of heating the plates and gravity. Incorrect orientation will cause it to break. The compressor winding may even burn out, which is not good.

The relay has input wires. To them you need to fasten the wire with a plug. The connection point, in order to avoid electric shock, must be twisted with electrical tape. After that, you can plug the plug into the socket. If the compressor quietly rumbles to itself, and air comes out of the tube, then you did everything right and you can use the equipment. At this stage, it is recommended to mark the tubes so that you know which one is leaving and which one is entering. If, however, problems arise during operation, for example, the compressor does not turn on or turns off after a while, then you will have to dial the relay and find the weak link. This procedure requires minimal knowledge of electrical circuits and electrical engineering in general.

Materials required for work

Before you make a compressor from the refrigerator, you need to get everything you need to work. First, it's a compressor. We have already figured out how to remove the engine (compressor) from the refrigerator, so you should have it at hand. By the way, different compressors are installed on different models of refrigeration equipment. Usually they are a cylindrical product or a so-called pot.

In order to make a high-quality compressor that would fulfill its purpose at 100%, it is necessary to acquire a receiver. In fact, this is a container into which the engine will pump air from the refrigerator. In principle, there are no specific requirements for the receiver. An old empty fire extinguisher, a receiver from a truck will do. The volume can be different - from 3 liters and more. Also, before you make a compressor from the refrigerator, you need to find suitable hoses. The length of two of them should be 10 cm or more, the last one should be at least 50-60 cm. It is very convenient to take car hoses here. The fact is that they will be attached to the filters, and their size is perfect for these purposes.

As for consumables, these are two filters - gasoline and diesel, clamps, wire, epoxy resin, pressure gauge. As for the tool, every owner will find it in the workshop. Need a drill, knife, screwdriver and pliers. Once you've put it all together, you can get to work.

from the refrigerator: step by step instructions

Most compressors have three copper tubes at the outlet. Two of them are open, the ones you bit off with pliers, and one is sealed. It is usually the shortest. Accordingly, the tube from which air blows is the outlet, and the one that sucks in is the inlet. We don’t touch the third yet, but a little later we will figure out what it is for and what to do with it. So, after checking the output and input, make the appropriate marks and disconnect the compressor from the network. Next, we take a pre-prepared board. She will be our foundation. Using self-tapping screws, we attach the compressor to the board. Tubes must be further processed before connection. It is advisable not to use a metal file, it is better to take pliers.

One important point: the compressor must be attached to the base in exactly the same way as it was installed on the refrigerator. Mounting sideways or upside down is not permitted. This is due to the starting relay already familiar to us, which works due to the forces of gravity. Our do-it-yourself compressor from the refrigerator has not yet been made. Now we need to make a receiver. A plastic container will do. In its upper part we drill two holes for tubes of the appropriate diameter. Then we insert them there and fill it all with epoxy to seal. One of the tubes (inlet) should not reach the bottom of the receiver a couple of centimeters. A short tube (outlet) starts about 10 cm. Such manipulations are needed for more convenient air mixing.

iron receiver

"How to make from the refrigerator?" - you ask. Yes, it's very simple, for this you need to use the instructions described above. But there is one thing, for such purposes it is best to take an iron receiver. There is not much difference between plastic and metal, but only on an iron receiver can we install a pressure gauge. In addition, the hoses are soldered or welded, not filled with resin. This provides a better tightness of the container.

To install a pressure gauge, you need to drill a hole of the appropriate diameter, install the device and solder this place. Although it would be more humane to go the following way. We drill a hole in a suitable place and weld a nut on this place. Then it remains only to screw the pressure gauge, and the job is done. In principle, there is not much difference, only replacing a failed pressure gauge is much easier. After everything is done, you can attach the receiver to the base. To do this, use steel tape or wire. In fact, we almost made a compressor from the refrigerator with our own hands. There are a few small details left.

How to make a mini compressor: the last part of the installation

We have already passed most of the way. Now there are a few lines left. First, take a piece of hose (10 cm) and put a gasoline filter on it. If you use a car hose, then there should be no problems with putting on. If the hoses are thin and are not put on the fitting, then as an option they can be heated. The free end of the hose must be put on the compressor inlet. If the connections are strong, then the clamps can not be used, especially since there is practically no pressure here. It is easy to guess that the filter is necessary in order to prevent dust from entering the compressor. The second piece of hose is connected to the outlet of the compressor and the inlet of the receiver. There will already be a lot of pressure, so we put clamps. We put a diesel filter on the third hose, and insert the second end into the outlet of the receiver. The outlet fitting of the filter (diesel) is connected to the working hose of the spray gun, airbrush or other equipment. You will probably decide for yourself how you can use the compressor from the refrigerator and for what purposes.

Equipment specifications and maintenance

As for the pressure created by the compressor, it is difficult to talk about specific figures. Much depends on the model and age of the equipment. By the way, the "ancient" compressors are more powerful. They are able to give about 2-3 bar. Both imported and Soviet models work almost silently, however, there are exceptions.

In terms of maintenance, this is a pretty important point if you don't want your fridge compressor to need to be repaired soon. It is not difficult to take care of such equipment with your own hands. The main rule is that it is necessary to periodically change the gasoline and diesel filters. In addition, it is advisable to drain the oil accumulated in the receiver. A decisive role in the durability of the equipment is played by the high frequency of oil changes in the compressor. You need to do this not so much often, but at the appointed time. To drain the mining, it is necessary to cut off a piece of the sealed tube. Remember, we mentioned it at the very beginning of the article. Through it, the old oil is drained and new is poured.

Should the compressor be repaired?

Often the refrigerator motor fails. Oddly enough, but often there is no point in repairing. But when it comes to refrigerant, the issue is resolved by replacing it. As for other cases, such as dust getting inside or winding burning, this is best left unattended. Really easier and cheaper to buy a new engine. But with your own hands it makes sense. There is nothing difficult in this. Moreover, you already know how to remove the compressor from the refrigerator. It is installed in the reverse order. It is important that the installation is carried out correctly. That is, the joints of the tubes must be sealed, and the wires must be reliable, that is, insulated. In general, the replacement process itself takes no more than 20 minutes. If you still decide to repair the refrigerator compressor with your own hands, then get ready for difficulties. First, ring the relay, perhaps it is in it, and therefore the equipment does not start. Then in the compressor. If this does not help, then the equipment can be thrown away, there is no particular point in messing with it.

Conclusion

So we figured out how to make a compressor from a refrigerator with our own hands. In general, a variety of difficulties may arise during the execution of work. From the fact that the hoses do not fit on the filter, and ending with poor connections or lack of response from the compressor. But most problems can be fixed. In general, such a compressor is a very useful thing. With it, you can do painting and other useful things. It matters more what kind of airbrush or spray gun you use than a compressor. The main purpose of such equipment is to provide constant pressure. If there is a need for a large pressure, say 3.5 bar and above, then it will not be difficult to find a suitable compressor. Most likely, this is the Soviet model. This is due to the fact that modern refrigerator engines, although not powerful, are very productive. That's all for this topic now you can get down to business.

A portable air compressor, quiet, consuming relatively little electricity - this is probably the dream of every owner of a private house, cottage, garage, small business. Well, it is quite possible to make a mobile compressed air installation on your own, for example, by taking part of the equipment of an old household refrigerator. Each refrigeration unit has a built-in compressor. If you remove this part, add equipment, you get an air compressor from a refrigerator compressor,.

Before deciding to implement an idea, it is desirable to determine exactly: is this idea really worth taking on? Let's consider several important aspects of the topic in order to help future designers make the right decision:

not designed for air service.
The performance of compressors in household refrigerators is low.
Refrigeration compressors require special oil to lubricate the mechanism.

From this follow the corresponding conclusions. When working with an air environment, the device will not be able to function for a long time without good cooling.

When the refrigeration compressor works with freon, due to other temperature parameters of the refrigerant, the housing is cooled.

Compression of the air mixture by a refrigeration compressor occurs in completely different temperature conditions, which will lead to an increase in operating temperature by an order of magnitude. Ultimately, without good cooling, the compressor will simply burn out.

A burnt refrigerator compressor as a result of a violation of technological operating modes. The same fate awaits the device, which is supposed to be used in the project, if you do not apply special protective equipment.

The low performance of home refrigeration units is another factor limiting the use of such equipment for producing compressed air.

For example, in order to pump up a 5-liter receiver to a pressure of 5-7 atm., It will take at least 15-20 minutes of operation of the refrigeration unit.

Meanwhile, this volume of air is not enough even to inflate a car wheel in one sitting or paint one wall of a small garage with a spray gun.

Low performance of the refrigerator system is a common thing for such equipment. But for an air compression system, especially with a large flow rate, a high-performance system is already required

Finally, another important factor is compressor oil. To lubricate the mechanism of refrigeration compressors, a special freon oil is used, the properties of which change dramatically in contact with air.

If you do not change the oil to another type of lubricant that is loyal in structure to air, after a certain time the compressor mechanism will simply “close” due to the rapid wear of parts.

DIY construction

So, if, despite all the noted nuances, a decision is made to assemble from the refrigerator, you can proceed directly to action.

Approximately such a design should be obtained as a result of the implementation of the conceived idea. In appearance, there are no complaints. The device looks more than flawless and quite impressive

The first step is to collect all the necessary details of the project equipment:

Air receiver.
Oil separator.
Differential pressure switch.
Copper tube.
Inlet air filter.
Shut-off control and control valves.

For an air receiver, a compressed air cylinder from a KAMAZ vehicle is optimally suited. The five-liter container has overall dimensions acceptable for the domestic environment and meets the requirements for pressure vessels.

A home compressor made from a refrigerator is best equipped with one of the cylinders that are used on KAMAZ truck tractors. These vessels comply with Rostekhnadzor standards

Design option of the oil separator, which is recommended for use as part of the installation. For reliable operation of the system, high-quality separation of oil from air is required.

A differential pressure switch (for example, from the PT series) is used from among those used in industrial refrigeration plants.

A sufficient amount of copper tube is available in the design of the condenser of a domestic refrigerator. In diameter, it fits the outlet pipe of the refrigerator compressor.

The air filter at the compressor inlet is easy to make from any suitable plastic container by placing an ordinary foam rubber sponge inside. Shut-off control and control valves - valves, check valve, pressure gauges - can be bought at the store.

Assembly of the air unit

An air receiver (for example, an air tank from a KAMAZ vehicle) is mounted on a chassis made of a metal corner. Additionally, it is recommended to install a pair of wheels on the chassis for ease of movement, a supporting “leg” and a handle.

A platform for installing a refrigerator compressor and a bracket for mounting a differential pressure switch are fixed above the upper area of \u200b\u200bthe cylinder. An oil separator is fixed to the side of the receiver, through a clamp and an outlet fitting.

Hand made oil separator. For fastening, one clamp with a bracket was used on the left side of the separator, and the right side is attached to the fitting of the inlet pipe of the receiver

An air filter must be installed on the inlet pipe of the refrigerator compressor. The presence of an air filter is required to reduce the entry of foreign particles present in the air into the system.

It is easy to make an air filter from any plastic container by attaching it through an angled threaded transition to the inlet pipe.

Air filter at the unit inlet. It is easy to make one with your own hands from a suitable plastic container. Foam sponge inside the filter housing

The outlet pipe of the compressor is connected through a compensatory copper tube-heat exchanger with the inlet fitting of the separator (oil separator). The outlet branch pipe of the separator is connected to the receiver through an angle adapter.

A tee and (compressed air outlet) is installed at the receiver outlet. Through the branches of the tee, the outlet of the receiver is additionally communicated by copper tubes with a differential relay and a pressure gauge. There is also a safety valve.

Electrical part and principle of operation

The electrical circuit diagram actually remains intact, with the exception of minor changes. That is, the compressor from the refrigerator, as it was powered from the AC mains through the starting relay, so this option is left unchanged.

Another question is that it is possible to modernize the circuit somewhat. For example, supplement it with a switch installed on the body of the assembled installation. Still, this option is more convenient than periodically plugging and unplugging the plug from the outlet each time the device is used in practice.

This design does not have a separate power switch. The compressor is connected to the network with a two-wire cord with a plug through the contact group of the pressure switch

Also, the circuit for supplying voltage to the compressor must be configured taking into account the inclusion of the contact group of the differential pressure switch.

Due to this configuration, the device will turn off immediately after reaching the set air pressure limit. Here, in fact, that's all. The air compressor from the refrigerator can be considered done.

Some notes on the project

A fire extinguisher for a receiver for a home compressed air unit must be selected taking into account a three-fold pressure margin. Powder OT bottle is not the best choice

Often, fire extinguisher cylinders are used as a receiver for home-made projects. Meanwhile, the containers of powder fire extinguishers have a low limit of the maximum allowable working pressure (8-12 atm.).

In addition, such vessels are subject to mandatory examination after a certain period of time in the relevant authorities. If you still take a fire extinguisher vessel under the receiver, then vessels from under carbon dioxide systems can be considered an acceptable option.

Finally, the most important point. Such structures, in fact, should be registered with the Rostekhnadzor authorities, since the assembly contains a vessel operating at a pressure of more than 0.07 MPa (the operating pressure of the installation is 10 atm.).

Owners of unregistered home-made air compressors may well be held liable (administrative and even criminal), as soon as something extraordinary happens during the operation of the equipment with a threat to human life and health.

So it’s worth thinking a thousand times before trying to assemble an air compressor from a refrigerator compressor with your own hands.

The practice of assembling a compressed air installation

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A fairly large range of devices designed for painting a car is available on the modern market. But knowing how to properly make a car from an ordinary old refrigerator with your own hands, you can save a significant amount of money. Many people have a question: isn't it easier to buy a ready-made device? The answer is simple - by making the compressor yourself, you can set the required power, which will allow you to do the job faster and with better quality.

Selection of accessories

To make a quality compressor, you need to acquire all the components. The blower can be a conventional hand pump or an air holding tank. The device for supplying air to the receiver will be a compressor from an old refrigerator, it can be easily dismantled using a set of keys, a universal screwdriver and wire cutters. This device will make a durable device, as it is more reliable.

It is important to properly dismantle the compressor in order not to damage it. First of all, using wire cutters, you need to bite the tubes coming out of the engine leading to the radiator grille. Next, the wires stretching to the relay are cut, but their length should remain about 20 cm. Before unscrewing the compressor, it is necessary to make a mark on the relay cover.

The fire extinguisher case will be an excellent replacement for the receiver. It is important that it be cast, seamless and have a volume of 10 liters or more. Before using it as an accessory, it is required to inspect the fire extinguisher from the inside for corrosion. To do this, the ZPU is turned out, and a flashlight is used for inspection. If corrosion is still present, it must be removed with a special liquid.

Purchasing Additional Materials

The rest of the materials that are necessary in order to make a compressor for painting the car body from the refrigerator with your own hands can be purchased at a specialized store or on the market:

automobile clamps, toggle switch, fum-tape, oxygen reducer, shut-off valve, relay RDM-5 or RM-5;
5 meters of two-wire wire equipped with double insulation;
ball valve used in gas pipelines;
3/4 inch external threaded water cross and much more.

You will also need a gasoline-oil-resistant silicone sealant. Having all the necessary devices and materials, you can assemble an air compressor, but before that, you should change the oil in the supercharger.

Assembly of elements and components

After the compressor blower circuit from the refrigerator is broken, the spindle will be exposed to the atmosphere, which will lead to the loss of its properties. If the factory oil is not replaced in the supercharger, its pistons will quickly wear out, as a result of which the engine will fail. Therefore, it is recommended that the first step is to replace it with semi-synthetic motor oil taken from the car.

In addition to the outlet and inlet tubes, the compressor from a conventional refrigerator is equipped with a third tube with a sealed end. In order to use it for painting cars in the future, it is necessary to remove the clogged part. To do this, using a hacksaw for metal, you should make a neat incision around the tube, but without sawing it to the end, and then break off the filed piece. It is important that metal chips do not get inside.

The remaining pipe must be flared with your own hands and drained of the old oil, then pour semi-synthetics into it in the same amount. After that, the pipe is clogged with a screw wrapped in fum tape.

The plumbing quarter is screwed into the fire extinguisher in place of the ZPU, but first its threads are wrapped with fum-tape. It is worth noting that in the manufacture of a compressor for painting a car, all screw connections are wrapped with sealing tape, and sealant is applied to make them more reliable.

With accessories for car painting. Click on the photo to enlarge.

The relay, which performs the functions of regulating the pressure in the receiver, is screwed onto the upper part of the crosspiece through the fitting. Next, a check valve is installed on one of the inlets of the quarter and a fitting is attached to it, which is necessary to connect the hose. The installed check valve eliminates excess air pressure when painting a car in the receiver.

An oxygen reducer with an attached shut-off valve is screwed onto the other inlet of the quarter pipe. It is necessary to shut off the gas in case you need to replace pneumatic tools. To be able to connect a gun or spray gun, screw the adapter to the tap. Thanks to the gearbox, there are no pressure surges in the supercharger - the air flow will be dense and uniform.

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