I just got my 1st compressor and airbrush set up. I purchased the Badger TC910 & an Iwata Revolution CR. I’ve just received these and the shipping box was damaged though the contents (mainly concerned about the compressor) seem to be in good shape thanks to Badger having inner lined their box with another layer of cardboard. Anyway I thought it would be a good idea to check with people here to see if my initial test of this set up is working properly.
I have the airbrush connected via Iwata air hose, I’ve used teflon tape at both ends. The compressor takes a few minutes to fill up then stops. I don’t hear any leaks nor if I leave it alone for more than 10 minutes dose it come back on. So I am assuming no leaks. The pressure seems to be 35psi max out of the box. I noticed that when using the airbrush the gauge stays at that setting. On lower settings say 25-30psi when the air brush is on it drops about 1/2-1psi. And on even lower settings say 20-25psi this drops by as much as 2psi. Is this normal?
Any feedback from TC910 owners here would be appreciated. Thank you
Yep, that’s pretty normal. You want to set an operating pressure (ie. pressure when air is flowing) rather than “static” pressure. ie. if you want your airbrush at 15psi, then set that while you hold the airbrush trigger open.
Just to note, your Revolution CR should be good down to about 12 PSI or less.
Thanks Phil… only thing I did notice when I un-boxed the unit was that the red ring around the base of regulator dial was not secured at all, but I don’t think it took a hit there. Just that it came that way and I had to turn it to attache it properly.
I could be wrong about the max pressure, it might have been around 40psi (static pressure) out of the box with the CR connected. btw is that static pressure dependent on which airbrush is conected? I think this compressor can go up to 57psi.
I have the TC-910 and what you describe sounds fine. That red ring on the regulator isn’t needed for use with the TC-910 - it’s actually a ring nut for holding the regulator in a panel or whatever round hole in other mount applications. With my Revolution CR I can maintain about 30 PSI continuously but with a smaller nozzle higher pressures can be maintained. Maximum pressure at the regulator while spraying is very dependent on AB nozzle size even though the tank can go to 57PSI. Enjoy your new AB and compressor. I think you’ll find they work great together.[Y]
So if I understand this correctly, I will never see the gauge read 57psi with the CR air brush connected? only about 30-40psi. Not that I want it higher, just to know the gauge is working properly.
One other thing regarding gauge reading… at the end of my test, I turned the compressor off and kept the air brush going to empty the tank. I see the gauge sits at around 5psi and not zero. Is this normal too? I’m guessing there is still some pressure in there but dose not feed out.
I had some time today and ran the setup again. I’m getting steady 35psi max with the CR connected. I shouldn’t have stated 30-40 above, it dose not fluctuate at max.
If you connect your AB (don’t depress the trigger), turn on the compressor, let it run until it shuts itself off, then pull up and rotate the regulator knob clockwise (it will take quite a few turns) until the gauge shows no further increase in pressure it should show 50+ PSI. I just did the above with my TC-910 and got a max pressure reading about 55 PSI (near as I can read that gauge). Turn the regulator knob counterclockwise to reduce the pressure, depress the AB trigger and set the pressure for your liking You should be able to maintain 30PSI with your Revolution with no sweat - I haven’t tried (or needed) higher so I can’t tell if it will maintain 40PSI with the Revolution.
As far as the residual 5PSI, I wouldn’t worry; if you check it a few hours from now it’ll probably be at zero. Bleeding the tank to zero by using the AB takes a bit of time so I either (1) depress the valve on the bottom of the regulator and let it blow water or whatever and even then it seems like no air is left but the gauge shows a positive reading; or (2) I unscrew the drain valve on the bottom of the tank (I do this weekly anyway) and leave it open. Gauge will quickly show zero. If you forget to close it, it’ll be obvious next time you turn your compressor on - you get a hissing sound and pressure won’t build up in the tank. Only takes a couple of seconds to remember to close the drain valve.
Don’t know why but even after bleeding the tank and unscrewing the drain plug and letting it sit for 10 minutes, the gauge was still at 5psi. I thought I would check if the gauge was mounted on level… as I barely touched it the needle dropped to zero.
Now I’ve filled and emptied it 2x to test and it reads as high as 39psi and only needed to use bleed valve to drain to zero.
Yes, ATM i’ve got an Iwata Revolution CR brush attached to my TC-910. I have an H&S poly hose of 7.5 ft but that shouldn’t make any difference. With a closed system you should be showing over 50PSI so sounds to me your gauge might be sticking (or faulty) or the regulator isn’t up to spec. Can you adjust pressure up and down easily with the regulator knob? Tap the gauge with a plastic handled screwdriver and see if it changes (i.e.could be just a sticky needle). I’d be surprised if the compressor didn’t put out the pressure that Badger states, also, your on/off pressure switch seems to be working fine. Unfortunately, the gauges supplied with most smaller AB compressors are not very good ones (a precision gauge costs as much as the compressor) but 36PSI vs 50+PSI with a small compressor is a big error. Let me know if its just a sticky gauge needle because everything else sounds good if you can maintain 30PSI with you Revolution. Just sounds like the gauge to me.
Re your post 2 min before mine. Sounds like a gauge problem. I really think the compressor is working as it should but the gauge is not. I’m sure Badger will help by either replacing the gauge or the compressor. Alternatively, you could buy a 0-60PS class II gauge for a few bucks and do it yourself - replacing the gauge is easy. Or, you could return it and ask for a replacement.
If the dial is set to max, it takes a few turns to dial down the pressure below 38psi. Then after that with AB on I am able to control and tune it as I like (for what I can tell as I am new to this). But I can stop the needle where I want too when AB is on. On release it goes up about 1-2psi.
I’m thinking I should have the unit replaced just incase. That is where it sustained damage in shipping. Was a hole in the box about fist size. lol
btw. I forgot to mention that I did read Don’s review and a couple of other ones online.
When you receive your new compressor and if everything check out fine, you may consider replacing the pressure gauge with one of larger dail. I got mine at Ebay for less than $10.
You should also test your new compressor by running it continuously for about 20 minutes or so. Push down the CR trigger to force the compressor motor to run constantly. The compressor head temperature should stablize and stay at no more than 40-50 degrees F above room temperature. If the compressor is working normally, this test will not hurt it. If not, it is better to know that you may get a defective unit when it is still under warranty. In reality, the compressor should run much cooler because the motor is on and off intermittently.
Good luck and let us know how the TC-910 works out for you.
Thanks for the info. That is a nice looking gauge… I like the fact it only goes to 60 which makes it easier to read and set in between increments. Will consider updating in the near future but at point of just getting a brand new compressor I would have hoped the stock one worked. Well maybe I’m jumping the gun here… hard for me to say, maybe there is damage somewhere else I’m not seeing. I can only notice there are no leaks because when the compressor is set to on and left alone for 20-30min the compressor dose not kick in.
Can you elaborate on what you mean by this? “when the compressor is set to on and left alone for 20-30min the compressor dose not kick in.” Yes, if you are not using any air, the motor should not kick in. If so, it is good.
Small oilless airbrush compressor are sensitive to heat. If it gets hot during operation, it may not last too long. A well made compressor will run very quiet and very cool.
sorry for the confusion, only meant that the compressor dose not need to re fill the tank. And I did not notice any heat issues at all. motor was just slightly warm to the touch at all times.
You get an extremely good unit if it runs 20-30 minutes continuously and gets “just slight warm to the touch”. I hope that Badger will replace the regulator/filter and return the same unit to you.
I have tested several airbrush compressors in last few years. 2 twin piston, made-in-Taiwan compressors (Sparmax and Paasche) got only slight warn after 30 minutes running. 3 single piston, made-in-China compressors all got hot to the touch (45-55 degrees above room temperature). Yours is the first “single piston, made-in-China” one which does not get hot.
I’ve returned the compressor. atm I’m not sure if I want to try another TC910 or different brand/model… I still want one but maybe look around for a bit.
If you get a good quality twin piston compressor, you should not need an airtank. If you have an Hobby Lobby nearby, take a look at the Storm Force compressor. It is the Sparmax TC-2000.
But is may be about $10 over 200 even with the 40% coupon. It is well worth it for a compressor with established track record in reliability. The Iwata Powerjet Lite is similar, but priced higher.
