air coompressor pressure relief valve

[Captn. J]

i have 2 compressor one big one small    they re popping at the relief vavle does that mean i need new pressure switch?  on the big one i already ordered one since the on off switch has been broken since i had it

[xjs3667]

Depends....whats the pressure its poppin at.....is it below your max psi...if it is then they are bad.....if its popping cuz your tank is getting over presurized then you need a new pressure shutoff switch

[Captn. J]

Ok if it's low pressure  before the max.  What would it be?

[xjs3667]

If it is blowing at low pressure before max it is the relief valve.....usually just the spring in them wears out over time....you can uusually get just the spring but for a couple bucks more you can get a new valve...the just thread in and out....you need to know what the max psi the tank is rated for so you can buy the correct valve.....like lets say your compressor shuts off @ 220psi and your tank is rated for 275max psi you want a valve that will blow around 250psi....if you get one rated to low it will be blowing all the time and compressor constantly running......and a reminder the relief valve is a saftey measure, not a means to drain the tank....i see way too many people using it as a drain....this will kill the spring in a hurry

[Captn. J]

Like check valve?

[Captn. J]

u mean spring in the relief valve?

[xjs3667]

Yes theres a spring in there..it holds the relief valve shut and when psi is too mich for the spfing to handle it opens up