Upgrading the Kobalt 26 Gallon Ultra-Quiet Compressor
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- Опубліковано 18 сер 2024
- In this video I show you how to upgrade the Kobalt ultra-quiet compressor for better performance. This will also work with any similar compressor.
Parts from McMaster:
- 1593N1: Air Hose -- bit.ly/3oR3XKu
- 4956K11: Regulator -- bit.ly/3lsHq4A
- 4957K61: Bracket -- bit.ly/3aq3ExR
- 3847K72: Pressure Gauge -- bit.ly/3AyompQ
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Total cost: ~$65 (+shipping)
Fittings:
- Milton Industries S-765: amzn.com/B000BVYSY2
- Milton S-217 Kit: amzn.com/B001O2ZGQ6
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Total cost: ~$18
Big thanks to Joakim Karud for providing awesome royalty free music! All music is by Joakim, tracks are "Road Trip", "Say Good Night", and "Vibe With Me" -- / joakimkarud - Навчання та стиль
Im dropping in to thank you for making this video. I added a high flow pressure regulator to the auxiliary port after watching your video and my pressure drop went from 60psi on the stock ports to 10psi on the new one. I also learned a lot in the process. I really appreciate this video.
This is a very well done and informative video with lots of detail!
I did switch the fittings on the regulator to the milton high flow and still had the same drop in pressure as you. Hence why I'm here. Great video.
Did you change the stock fittings on the regulator?
@@greencars9862 The stock regulator on a lot of air compressors is 1/4"; sometimes even smaller. You have to bypass it (what he did in the video) to get better airflow.
I followed your upgrade. I switched from 1/4 to 3/8 fittings (since I have 3/8 hose) that with the better regulator. Big improvement. Right on
did you get the parts at amazon, the website listed takes 3 weeks the items.. too long.
To Juanti Smith. I bought the fittings locally from a store ( Nova Pro Industrial) that sells tools. I think home depot has them
Yeah 1/4" makes 0 sense.
how does that work if the hose to the regulator is 1/4 ID wouldn't that be a bottleneck?
I got around to making this upgrade with ridiculously overpowered filter/regulator. I went from the 1/4 npt on the air compressor to 1/4-1/2 nipple adapter to 1/2 wilkerson 5 micron filter/regulator rated with 164 scfm flow capacity to 1/2-1/4 nipple adapter and used milton high-flow fittings. I get around 10 or slightly less pressure drop with 1/2 impact stubby impact with 450 ft lbs breaking torque. Even putting 25' of 3/8 hose I didn't see any difference in pressure drop. Tapping the trigger of my impact for a split second broke the lugs on the suv torqed to 100 ft' lbs. Even with tapping it for a split second some popped right off. I thought we may be limited by this compressor because you can only attach to a 1/4 npt on the compressor itself but that doesn't seem to be a problem at least for a single user using one tool at a time.
Thank you very much for this video. I was not aware this could be accomplished. Most helpful!
All-in-all, a very helpful video. That 1/4 inch plug was really stuck in my compressor and some penetrating oil did the trick. Thanks!
Haha mine is soaking in penetrating oil right now. Came to see if anyone else had the same issue. Thumbsups.
Same issue. Finally came free with a crack. Got worried for a second. Good to go though. 👍
It seems that these units pre around 2021 used a different kind of thread sealant that was meant to be permanent. I ended up having to get a whole new switch unit bc my threads got so effed up removing the plug.
Thanks for posting this video...helped me make up my mind on purchasing this one over the Harbor Freight equivalate. After the mod, had same results for my air tools!!!
Awesome video! Appreciate you sharing this cause I literally just bought this compressor yesterday and I plan on using it for automotive stuff primarily.
I am also going to be using this for automotive air tools, haven you had the chance to use any on the stock outlets? I’m mainly concerned with how it handles a 1/2 in impact wrench as I haven’t gotten my 1/2 kobalt stubby
@@daveecklund3369 I've used the 3/8 kobalt stubby gun and works perfectly. I'm planning on get a 1/2 soon which I feel will work just as well.
For future reference to anyone reading: don't replace any stock part with only a single high-flow part; the whole stock air flow is restricted--regulator, tube, and fittings all. This is what I gathered from the comments here that tried to switch out different parts of the stock air flow.
This goes for the same modification add-on: all parts of it needs to be high-flow. I saw someone put the new add-on, but without high-flow fittings, and all he got was a 20 psi drop, compared to the 10 psi to this video.
I have the same compressor and I replaced one of the fittings that come on it stock with a high flow and had the same results the regulator that come on it kept up just fine
Sweet deal man thanks for sharing and providing links to parts
I’m taking this idea little bit to another level
where I add (( Shouts Value + Air Filter = Regulator ))
Nice, just bought one and plan on doing this.
I don’t comment much but I literally was researching this compressor before thanks giving and on Friday I said naw I’ll shop around even tho it was 249. Then it hit me I have a Lowe’s CC I never used turns out because I’m in a farm country we are tax exempt for anything over 20 acres 😃 and using the CC gave me 10 percent off more lol walked out of the store with it for 230 give or take didn’t even look at the total.
Just ordered everything up and I’ll say props to you for actually adding in the parts with part numbers that made life nice
Thank you
Oh one more thing are you able to still use those top two outlets? I’m guessing yes i just ordered everything
Yes the unit is usable in the same way as it was from factory. The change I show in the viseo ia an addition and not really a modification, but significantly improves the flow on the added aftermarket regulator.
Hope you enjoy it!
@@bastiand.771 easy took 5 minutes to do just waiting on one connector that was shipped and then canceled by amazon for some shipping reason. Mcmaster shocked me i ordered one Wednesday and my stuff arrived Thursday LOL i guess living three hours away from them might have something to do with it
FYI: I attached a Milton V (high flow) fitting to their regulator and used Milton V fittings on a 1/2 impact wrench directly connected to compressor as you did and also saw a 40 psi drop on trigger pull and free spin.
Thats why this mod is necessary to get higher CFM for air tools
This is awesome. Whats tools does this help with the most? Does it help with painting?
Awesome video!
Nice upgrade been going back and forth should I get compresser. Buyers complaining about regulator. Thanks
Corrections:- Working pressure is 80 Psi on the impact gun to Reg. Static pressure is 90 Psi. Static pressure is set at your Regulator. Working pressure is what your pressure drops to.
Correct, I simply misspoke in the video. Ultimately it just serves as an apples-to-apples comparison of pressure lost due to restrictions in the air flow on the same exact tool.
Nice modification. I will do something similar. Thank you for taking the time to share what you did for others. I like the quick lever drain on the bottom of this tank like you do, however it's kind of a pain being towards the back of the tank. I haven't looked closely yet but if this isn't a welded fitting I'm hoping that can be modified to bring a short length of pipe or hose out front for draining. Any thoughts on that? Thanks again.
Tried the upgrade I guess I had an older version that the 6mm side plug had a very strong thread locker. Now it's rounded off. Got a small butane torch but I'm wondering how I am going to extract it now that the head has been rounded off. Suggestions?
QUESTION: Why not remove the hose from the left side of the compressor switch and attach it to the new regulator with gauge and reattach the other end back into the compressor switch?? In fact at that point, you could remove the panel with the old gauges and air pressure regulator and toss it!!
Geeat video and good idea awesome
Great, informative video. Thank you So I ordered the parts that you specified and plan on doing this upgrade this week. I have a couple of questions: are the other line outs connected to the original regulator still usable? Did you ever contact kobalt about the crazy drop in line psi?
Yes the other tool connectors from the stock regulator are still usable. I did nor contact Kobalt about it since I believe it's just the low cost regulator they had used.
@@bastiand.771 I see you tested your aircat impact, I’m not sure the cfm rating in that model but how was it holding up/performing with the stock regulator, were you still able to get good power? Sorry for all the questions, I am brand new to compressors
@@daveecklund3369 The outlets connected to the stock regulator performed the same since there's no easy way to replace the stock system. The side outlet I added with yhr better regulator performs much better and I'm able to get good power out of that one. From the pressure tank it goes tees off to the stock regulator and the regulator I added.
@@bastiand.771 any idea of what CFM this upgrade is?
@@daveecklund3369 sadly I don't have the tools to measure this at a specific pressure, but you could go by the ludicrous ratings of the newer regulator. Its able to spit out the 9 CFM requirement by my sandblaster. Its worth noting the air compressor will not be able to keep up at higher demand (e.g 9 CFM@90psi can be used intermittently, letting the compressor pump back up after dropping to 90psi)
Should have put that gun to the stock location with the high flow fitting to see if it actually made the difference
Excellent video, than you!
I set my regulator to 100psi, with a 10psi drop during use I end up with a 90 psi working pressure.
My OEM Regulator is leaking. Any way to bypass it or block it off, so it doesn't leak?
It leaks at the lowest pressure up to the highest pressure.
I'd rather just have a Regulator like yours like just Works
I wish the things needed to do this mod where in Link form
I can make this change now, good suggestion.
Hello Bastian-
Once I complete your upgrade, can I remove the original regulator , manifold, quick connects and cap that side with the same cap you removed?
With the hose being 1/4" ID, are you noticing reduced/limited airflow? I intend to use this compressor to blow out my sprinkler system in the fall months and while looking at upgrading the regulator came across your video.
It would depend on the length of the hose, though I would imagine there would be some reduced airflow. Worst case you can upgrade to a larger host with larger fittings.
I use this compressor in stock form to blow out my irrigation.
Did you have an issue with getting the air hose fitting into the quick connect coupler on the compressor? I purchased 1/4" fittings and they seem like they're too large to go into the couplers. The outer sleeve on the coupler is stuck in the down position which I'm used to them being in the up position.
Being new to air compressors could someone explain the benefits of this modification? Is it increasing the cfm rating or just freeing the available cfm?
Increase output flow at somewhat increased pressure. Not higher tank pressure; just less loss of pressure at the tool due to increased air flow.
@@65csx83 thanks, I did this mod and it does help. But then I made the mistake of using a cheap water trap after the regular and it reduced the flow like the original. Better try to find a high flow trap.
Im planing on getting this compressor and what does this mod do does it make the air in the tank keep pressure for longer periods or??...
It's to prevent working load drop off which every compressor experiences to some degree. For example with this Compressor, if you have a tool with a working load of 40 PSI you almost have to set the pressure to 80PSI because the stock regulator does a poor job of allowing air through the fittings and into the tool. With the upgrade you can get the full performance out of your compressor and the tools that are hooked up to it. I have this compressor and it's extremely hard to work with any tools that have a working load of 90psi even the the tank says it's capable of 120
Would you know where the serial number on kobalt 26 gal. quiet tech air compressor are?
My regulator is leaking on my 26 gallon and I cannot find a rebuild kit. Anyone have a clue on where I can purchase one or a way to get around it, maybe by passing it to make it work on another regulator?
Does anybody know if those two connectors can be replaced with the high flow connectors? I have a high flow connector on the end of my hose and doesn't fit.
the built in regulator on this compressor has failed me twice in 18 months of ownership and very little use. It is now leaking again. Anyone know what i can do to replace it with a better one?
What if the factory regulator is leaking? Is there anything you need to do different? Like disconnect the old one? I would like to see the tank and tool pressure separately
Right next to the power on switch, on the other side of where this new regulator is connected, is also a small hose going to the stock regulator. You can remove it and plug it, or attach a tank pressure gauge there.
I'm surprised the plug came out so easy on yours. Mine is really seized. Have a breaker bar on it and I'm still worried about twisting the pressure switch.
Guess I got lucky, yours must've been cross threaded or red loctited at the factory - wow!
@@bastiand.771 Finally broke free. No loctite. It really cracked when it came loose. Thought I broke something. No problems though. All set. Thanks! 👍
Me too had to come back to see how it was taken off. lol but it wasn't in the video I guess I'll keep trying !
Where can I purchase the regulator and new fittings and about how much was the upgrade Total aid u don’t mind me asking. I def need to do this would make a massive difference with all the mechanics I do on the compressor. I jus recently traded the 20 gallon in for this thru the warranty swap. Def night and day on how quiet it is
Sorry jus read the description
You are supposed to adjust regulator with what ever you are operating running
Is this to make my compressor run more powerful tools? Cause I can’t get mine to run anything for some reason and it’s brand new. Just got it for Christmas
Thats the idea, yes. The stock regulator output can't keep up with high power tools. Another viewer commented stating that just changing out the fittings was enough so you could start with that on a budget as they're needed regardless for the upgrade. See the links in the video description.
Great mod where did you find the 1’ long 1/4 “ Air hose? I can’t seem to find it anywhere. I even googled it?
The hose is linked in the parts list in the description, it's from McMaster Carr
@@bastiand.771 McMaster-Carr is a great resource!
Amazon has some too, though they’re handmade. But that’s what I used and it’s great.
Does this increase the cfm?
On the new air outlet yes. I don't have the tools to measure it, but it provided enough CFM to my sandblaster and air tools without pressure drops. The compressor will drain faster, and can be used intermittently as it fills back up to pressure.
Bastian D. Thanks this helps, appreciate your video!
Did a similar modification however I'm noticing very little difference, maybe 10psi better. Losing 40psi through the OEM line outs, losing 30psi through the new regulator. However, I couldn't get the regulator you bought and went with another. No clue what makes one good vs no good so back to the drawing board I guess. Only other difference is I don't have any hi flow fittings. You think that makes a big difference with this modification? I figured the regulator was the main issue.
Check what the SCFM rating is on your filter. If it is 40+ SCFM (usually measured as a 10-15psi drop at 90 PSI by manufacturer) then it is likely the fittings. You need to assume a 1/2 inch impact is consuming 30-40 SCFM during trigger pull. This assumes you are directly connecting the tool to the regulator like he is. If not then you need to factor in the hose diameter and length. 3/8" at 25 feet you should not be getting significant pressure drop but if you are using 1/4" hose forget it.
@@Tom-lf2ew thank you for you expertise. Is it safe to assume I want a regulator and/or filter with the highest SCFM I can find? The regulator/filter combo I bought had a real low scfm so I’m upgrading to a straight regulator with much higher scfm but as I’m looking for water separators, all I’m finding are those with scfm in the mid 20s. Assume this is not good.
@@joshhaas2410 Any SCFM > 40 is probably ok. No need to overkill it like I did. Anything less you're just going to increase the pressure drop like you noted. The next cheapest thing for you would probably be to change to high flow fittings. Around $15 for a kit on amazon.
@@Tom-lf2ew high flow stuff on order. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Hello.Where did you purchase the regulator. I can’t seem too find one like it thanks in advance
McMaster Carr
Just upgrade the two quick connect fittings already attached to the regulator and you will get the same performance. That is what I did and got the upgrade. Also make sure to upgrade your hose and tool connections to the high flow otherwise the restriction just moves down the line.
I did not find this to be the case for me, as the stock regulator couldn't keep up with just a fitting upgrade
Same as Bastian. Changed all fittings to Milton high flow and there was no increase in performance.
What fittings should you upgrade to?
I am confused - your improving the performance by changing to hi flow fittings or the new regulator is where your getting the improved air flow??? If just changing the fittings to hi flow then couldn't you just change the fittings???
The new regulator allows a higher output CFM and is tied directly to an outlet that goes right to the tank. To avoid any constrictions in flow I also used high flow fittings. The stock regulator will not yield a noticeable improvement by simply replacing the existing fittings with high flow.
@@bastiand.771 Got cha - thanks for the review, I understand now where you got the improved performance.
Is it okay to put a filter before the regulator?
Yes, this is what I did. The filter must be rated for the maximum pressure, ideally greater to be safe, than the max pressure of the tank (~150psi).
Thank you!@@bastiand.771
Im at about 20 months ownership of one of these compressors. My regulator leaks. Lowes wont return it for exchange even though I bought extended warranty. Kobalt tells me to take it back to Lowes. probably better off just buying a high end regulator and some decent gauges and just plumb my own manifold to match the stock one.
That would be the best solution, honestly. Sorry to hear about the ownership woes. No surprise to me that the stock regulator gave out, but 20 months is really premature and for the 3 year warranty for such a cheap part to fall through is frustrating.
@@bastiand.771 Yep. The regulator is plastic with a thin Chinesium manifold. I'll just take it off, reuse the tool pressure gauage and add a good Milton regulator for the tank pressure side.
@@bastiand.771 Just g ot off phone with KObalt Customer service. They told me 45-60 day wait for replacement regulator. I had already placed it on order and they charged me $17 to ship it. I told them to cancel it, refund my money and Ill just do my own regulator.
Does your compressor have an issue with rebuilding pressure after use? My breaker keeps tripping and I’m not sure if it’s my panel, or the compressor itself. Any knowledge before I contact an electrician to come out and wire a new outlet from the service panel?
It should not trip the breaker. Try an outlet on another circuit to see if it's the compressor or in your panel.
I had the same problem, turns out to be the neutral cable on the main pole wasn't connected, thus I had voltage drop or not enough juice, Entergy came out and fixed it. So get you panel checked out.
@@greencars9862 it was my breaker, had it swapped and it’s good to go! Electrician also mentioned I had quite a few things powered through that breaker, but since the replacement it Hasn’t tripped since.
It says part numbers in description. Not sure where to find that information. Any help with this matter would greatly be appreciated
The description below the video has to be expanded and hit "Read more". I'm not able to copy and paste them at the moment, but you should be able to expand the video description even on mobile.
Ah thank you very much. Will b working on completing this mod ASAP
@@rickramos3629 no worries, happy holidays and happy new year! Hope you enjoy the upgrade!
On McMaster you just type in the part number…
Can you just upgrade the original regulator on the tank?
The stock regulator has a custom molded/welded steel pipe system that's too integrated to be readily replaced. You would have to make a custom face plate to hold the replacement and cutouts.
Does your compressor leak air overnight? Mine does but I don't hear any air leaks. I've heard about the stock regulator problems but, does adding that new regulator bypass the old one and could it be a potential fix for the leakage?
You could retighten all the stock fittings, but no this add-on does not bypass the stock regulator. You could add this regulator and remove and plug the stock regulator side.
@@bastiand.771 ok thank you
@@bastiand.771 I don't own this compressor yet, but by watching your video and looking at some pictures, what you're doing does bypass the stock regulator. The black hose on the other side goes to the stock regulator, doesn't it? Those outlets are on the regulator panel, if you aren't using those outlets, you've bypassed the stock regulator.
Unless you run an airhose to the stock outlets.
@@uchiaslaya7 in the video I show that the secondary outlet on the compressor from the tank has a plug in it, and therefore allows easily adding another regulated outlet without affecting anything. The modification shown in the video is merely an addition, keeping the stock regulators functioning as the unit was purchased. Can be removed at any time as well.
Can you do this mod on a 20 Gal. Kobalt compressor?
I don't see why not, so long as there is an unused plug on the compressor somewhere straight from the tank as there is on this compressor.
But why is the default regulator dropping that much pressure? Maybe you got a bad one? Can any other owner please post here if they experience the same drops with their compressor?
The piping to the stock regulator, the regulator itself (mostly), and the fittings are causing this issue. There are numerous reviews of the stock regulator being disappointing on Lowe's product review page for this compressor.
Yes, I experience the same drops with my compressor.
Does your tank stay at 150? Mine stops at 145 then drops and settles on 140. Is this normal?
I'm not fully sure if this is normal. I have a McGraw compressor that does the same thing though. It stops 5 psi below its max pressure then gradually drops in pressure until it stabilizes.
I'm thinking that it may be the air cooling down. Cold usually has a lower pressure than hot air (assuming the amount of air a vessel contains doesn't change).
@@luchvk That's exactly it the air is heated when compressed and as it cools there is a pressure drop.
Usually pressure switches can be adjusted.
will this increase the cfm?
Yes thats the aim of the modification. Do keep in mind the main drawback is the compressors ability to maintain high CFM for constant use. Intermittent use of high CFM tools is fine, such as an impact driver or even sandblasting. The motor and 26 gallon vessel can only do so much, but plenty I think for the home hobbyist!
Can you do a video of it running a plasma cutter I wanna, get somthing that'll run my esab thermal dynamics 60i plasma cutter don't need to do more the 6" cuts at a time and am interested to see if this would be a good push for that, any thoughts? And also what if you add a surg tank to this 🤔?
Who uses the regulator on the compressor anyway? I just run one at the gun and it's 👍
Even if you max out the stock regulator you get restrictions, unless you're running it directly from the tank - whatever works!
Dude u need 90psi when the needle drops not on the static line
craftsman makes 33 gallon air compressor
wow that is so awesome to take regular compressor want run tools to running tools you would think factory would make them like this i guess they want you to spend another 100 bucks hahahaha
Can you add a dual pack upgrade? like this --- www.viaircorp.com/new/485c-gen2-dual-value-pack
I'm not sure that's a good idea given that those pumps may not have a cutoff. Additionally, they're 12V power which would be battery powered at high amperage. The tank itself is only rated to 150psi so I would advise against adding this to your compressor.
I'm going to have to disagree with people, there is NO detail and its not informative at all. all he does is tell you what to do with NO explanation of WHY and HOW, but you should just blindly do as he does anyway. plus there is no real comparison of doing it this way vs putting it on the front, he just assumes that this way is better.
so its an ok video, my suggestion to make it better and more informative to everyone is just give an explanation to the reasoning of what your doing, or why you did this or why you would do it this way so that if someone bought a compressor for the first time would understand better and not asking themselves 20 questions he won't get answers for watching this.
Waste of money time and misinformed. U suppose to set ur regulator while pressing the trigger on the impact that's why ur dropping below 90 psi same thing with pressure washers
Sorry you found the content disagreeable. The test at 90psi was just an apples-to-apples comparison of the pressure lost from restrictions in the flow, when using the tool yes you want to set the pressure up to the working rated pressure during no load. With the stock regulator the restrictions are too limiting to get 90psi on the tool during use. I don't have an SCFM meter, so this was the best I could come up with.