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Makita MAC700 query

rf_engineer_5 | Posted in Tools for Home Building on December 21, 2011 11:05am

I have one of these MAC700 compressors.  Brand new, only used it maybe 6-8 times or so.  Anywho my question is about pump up time.  Mine takes about 15-20mins to come up to full air pressure before it cuts off.  It takes about 10mins to get to about 70psi or so.  Given that my trim guns need about 70 psi min, it takes a lot of time waiting for this compressor to get to the point.  Is this the amount of time that others who have this compressoor are seeing?  If something is wrong, where to start?  Be nice if the compressor would pump up in like 5 mins or so.  Twenty minutes is not a long time but I was expecting better than this before I bought it. 

 

(The time I quoted above is for an unloaded compressor, meaning there is no hose attached at all.  Just time waiting for the thing to fill with air). 

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  1. DanH | Dec 21, 2011 11:39pm | #1

    Lessee -- it produces 3.3 cfm at 90 psi and has a 2.6 gallon tank.  1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons, so the pump is doing 24.68 gallons/minute at 90 psi -- enough to fill the tank nearly ten times.  Seems to me that  it should get up to 100 psi or so pretty quickly, if it were working right.  Where is the cut-out pressure set?

    1. rf_engineer_5 | Dec 22, 2011 08:21am | #3

      The cut out pressure is factory set at 130 and the cut in is at 100. My regulator is set to about 90, give or take.  Even though my trim gun does take a min of 70 per its specs, a little over would not seem to be a bad thing.

  2. calvin | Dec 22, 2011 06:17am | #2

    rf

    Some of these compressors, when real cold will run for a while-not coming up to pressure, if the release valve is shut.  Open that up, run a bit to warm it up, close valve and should have no problem.  Or, warm up the compressor b/4 you start.

    or

    If the word minutes in your post is right-that thing is broke-return it.

    1. rf_engineer_5 | Dec 22, 2011 08:25am | #4

      The compressor just sits in my basement, maybe about 60° right now.  It is not cold in like I have to work in 10-20° weather.  I am not a contractor by any means and my stuff is mainly DIY.  I may give the release valve thing a try.  I may also contact makita and see what they have to say. 

      The compressor is pretty much mint condition, zero abuse.  I don't know if I can return it beacause I believe I bought it about year ago.  Don't know how picky amazon would be with that.

      1. calvin | Dec 22, 2011 03:35pm | #6

        rf

        Beats me, but my smallest, a dewalt "trim" compressor does take a bit to get to full pressure-I run my guns at a hundred, I wouldn't say it's but a minute.

        Then, make up pressure is much shorter.

        Something's not right-what's the warranty from Makita?

  3. rf_engineer_5 | Dec 22, 2011 10:01am | #5

    I believe the gauge actually cut out at maybe 135, 140.  I don't think the gauges are 100% accurate as you allude too.  Even though you may be correct in that getting to the final pressure may be a slow crawl, I still don't know why the first 70-100lbs is as much of a struggle as it is right now.

  4. oldhand | Dec 22, 2011 07:34pm | #7

    since no one has asked yet......

    Is the drain valve fully closed and have you checked for  other leaks?

    1. rf_engineer_5 | Dec 22, 2011 09:20pm | #8

      Yes on the drain valve being closed.  I felt around the tank and it did not seem there were any other leaks. 

      1. DanH | Dec 22, 2011 10:12pm | #9

        It could be that there's a relief valve on the compressor that is not closing when it should.  On some designs the valve reduces the compression of the pump when it starts, to help the pump start up better.  It's supposed to close automatically when the pump gets up to speed.

  5. calvin | Dec 28, 2011 06:07pm | #10

    Thank you.

    rf, takes a good man to come back here with that information.

    Consider yourself a less than dumba$$ owner now.

    And remember, no matter the thing, always..........

    ALWAYS

    read the directions.

    And yes, Sure would have thought that it would be an assembled product.   What's the story with that?  It's not like it's an optional part.   Accessory?  I don't think so.

    Cripes, you're lucky they wired the cord in.

    Here's a great tip-do not take the cover off the pressure switch.  There's stuff in there you'll never find once it flies out.

  6. User avater
    MarkH | Dec 29, 2011 06:16am | #11

    I would assume having no air filter would not have been a problem too.  A little thinking about it is the back pressure from the air filter on the compression stroke causes the reed valve to close faster.

    1. rf_engineer_5 | Dec 29, 2011 09:20am | #12

      Actually the problem really was that the threaded hole for the air filter was blocked with a factory installed plug.  You are supposed to remove that and replace with the air filter.  That is the step I missed.  I was actually allowing the compressor to starve for air by keeping the air filter area blocked.

      1. User avater
        MarkH | Dec 29, 2011 09:48am | #13

        I didn't realize it was plugged!  I'm surprised it ever built up pressure.

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