Question on Omega Trail Charger

[bd2021]

So I just picked up an Omega Trail Charger. It was purchased new (though it doesn't look like it...small sharp gouge out of one of the handles...though the shipping box looked just fine).

Checked grease, topped off the distilled water, and tested with the test cap to 300 bar.

It makes a repetitive mechanical high pitched squeaking sound.

Is this normal?

Called the support person for this compressor...he said it may go away. If it doesn't I'll record it and upload. Otherwise seems to be working other than the included quick disconnect is too big for the FX Crown MKII

 

[beerthief]

how long did you run it ? mine made a noise at first but went away during first fill .

 

[Greg_E]

Once you decide to keep it, you need an additive to the water to keep the aluminum from breaking down. Even DI water will eventually cause an issue. One of the racing water wetter stuff or just the orange auto antifreeze.

 

[waydeo]

I was thinking about the trail charger . Keep us updated with details. Good luck.

 

[bd2021]

Thanks Guys. I called their repair guy (Todd--super nice guy, very patient). He's thinking it might just take time for the grease to get into the piston o-rings. 

Other than that, sure was nice not pumping today.

 

[rsfrid]

I use auto anti freeze solution. I've been using mine since last fall and the fluid level hasn't changed. It isn't exactly quiet, but far less noisy than air cooled compressors.

 

[bd2021]

Do you mix it, or just pure anti-freeze?

 

[Greg_E]

Don't go any thicker than directed for car use, you start losing thermal protection with too much stuff mixed in. The premix might be best, but could be more dilute if you want. The orange stuff is supposed to be better for aluminum, but I bet the real reason is that it causes less emissions when burned.

 

[rsfrid]

Do you mix it, or just pure anti-freeze?

I use 50/50 premix

 

[bd2021]

Thanks.



Also the quick disconnect is too big for my FX crown. I have an FX crown hand pump and borrowed its quick disconnect. 



But I'd like to return it to the hand pump...so do you guys have a recommendation for a quick disconnect that is not so fat that it doesn't fit on the FX Crown?

 

[rcs9250]

The greasing cup on the Omega Trail Charger is a design where you don’t know for sure if you actually get grease into the system. 

The first thing I observed when I filled the grease cup was that there could still be a slug of air in the cup and when you turn the cap to advance some grease you don’t know if greasing occurred. 

Here’s how to tell if greasing is occurring. And by the way, I have read that some folks grease more often than the manual suggests, twice as often as recommended. To see if grease is advancing unscrew the air intake elbow fitting along with the air filter and look into the threaded hole the elbow was screwed into and then turn the greasing cup and watch for a blob of grease to extrude into the air intake. The grease gets slowly sucked into the cylinders over a period of time from suction air flow and warmth of the cylinder head thinning the grease slightly. That’s how it’s lubed.

If it were me, Every time it was due for greasing I would go through that procedure to be confident it’s occurring, otherwise you could risk seizing or scoring the pistons and cylinders. 

When your cup needs refilling with grease, one way to drive the air out of the cup is to put a little grease in the cup and then gently tap it a bunch of times onto your workbench or block of wood. You will see small air pockets come to the surface. Once no more bubbles are appearing you can add a little more grease and repeat the tapping until the grease cup is full, then put the cap on and screw back into the threaded hole where it belongs.

Hope this helps.

Randy

 

[bd2021]

Thanks Randy

There is a rubber disk shaped like a frisbee in the cup.

Does it go concave side up, or concave side down?

 

[rcs9250]

bd2021,

I sold my Omega when I upgraded to an Alkin W31 so I can’t confidently answer that. 

If your manual doesn’t show that detail maybe someone else on AGN knows. You can also talk to, I think his name is Todd at Airguns of Arizona. He is very knowledgeable on Omega’s. 

Randy

 

[bd2021]

Randy, yeah, Todd didn't know offhand. There are a lot of parts on this one. 

By the way, while the video reviews I had seen did not have the squeaking I'm hearing. But I did just find this example:

https://youtu.be/tKzVk6os3Ek?t=428

that is similar to what I am hearing. Also, the manuals does mention "A slight squeaking sound is normal. 



Here is the manual:

The grease pot looks like item 80 and 81. I don't see a black rubber concave disk in the diagram. Maybe it's a new part. Or maybe it is the reason for the squeaking? By the way, the creases were there when I got the compressor.

 

[rsfrid]

Can I use white lithium grease in the grease pot?

 

[rcs9250]

rsfrid,

Good question. Let me ask my buddy that bought my Omega. If I recall correctly it came with extra grease, not sure if there was a label on it. I’d be surprised if white lithium was suitable for a HP compressor. 

I’ll get back to you. 

Randy

 

[rcs9250]

bd2021,

My bad, I had the AIR Charger not TRAIL Charger. But, looking at exploded view, the grease cup is the same, and yeah they don’t show the frisbee looking part. 

Also, I’m not sure you have easy access to looking into air intake port without taking sheet metal cover off. 

Can you post or PM me a pic of the frisbee looking part ? Maybe it will be obvious to me when I see it. 

Randy

 

[Greg_E]

If it were a motorcycle break reservoir, the cup should be able to extend into the reservoir. But they are also normally pleated.

I'd vote curve down unless it has printing cast into it. If it has printing, then printing side up.

 

[kendive]

Can I use white lithium grease in the grease pot?

No Petroleum based grease can explode. According to Todd. 

I ordered some RENEWABLE LUBRICANTS Bio-Food Grade EP Grease NLGI 2 Nt Wt 370g from ebay for my Air Charger I got from AOA.

 

[rcs9250]

rsfrid,

The grease spare that came with my Omega had no label at all as to what it was. 

Randy