California Air Tools Compressor

[patlaw]

I bought a California Air Tools compressor, for one reason, because they are advertised as being super quiet. It's not something I use often. When I plugged it in recently, I heard it making this noise. It's not quiet. Is there something that has to be done for maintenance? Is there anything I can do to reduce the noise? It's not quite as loud as it sounds on the video, but it's clearly audible.

 

[Mike Davis]

Is this your first compressor?
Have you ever heard one run before?

It’s hard to tell by a video but sounds fine to me. It is much bigger that an airbrush compressor and they all make some noise.

 

[Echd]

They aren't silent, that sounds fine to me.

If you don't want to deal with compressor noise you locate it somewhere far away and behind noise insulation of some sort and pipe in the air.

 

[HMH]

That’s sounds normal - the California compressors are advertised to be “quiet” but not silent. A good measure is can you talk over it and be heard. By comparison, the typical small “pancake” style compressors will be 2-3x louder, and you can absolutely not talk over those - they will also run you out of a small enclosed shop/ garage for sure.

 

[patlaw]

I should have said that it was super quiet when I first got it. The periodic noise it's making is new.

Yes, I've owned air compressors for more than 50 years.

 

[Mike Davis]

I should have said that it was super quiet when I first got it. The periodic noise it's making is new.

Yes, I've owned air compressors for more than 50 years.

That's different. How long have you had it? How much have you used it? Have you checked the oil?
Is something loose and rattling? Hard to tell from a video.

 

[ssmith]

My compressor is oilless but a similar model. It sounds like this.

Something does sound odd in your video - maybe a bearing?

 

[ErnieM]

My compressor is oilless but a similar model. It sounds like this.

Something does sound odd in your video - maybe a bearing?

I have the same unit and that's what mine sounds like. I think there's something not quite right about the OP's unit.

 

[Wilsoncb]

I have the smaller 1hp unit and it’s quieter than that.

 

[patlaw]

I've had it probably two years, but it doesn't even stay plugged in. Is there a maintenance schedule for these things? Maybe it's something I haven't done.

 

[Mike Davis]

Check oil, drain water from tank, check all screws and nuts for any loose connections.

 

[ssmith]

I've had it probably two years, but it doesn't even stay plugged in. Is there a maintenance schedule for these things? Maybe it's something I haven't done.

Mines a 10020C-22060 (220V, 2HP) and is not as loud as it sounds in the video - the phone was only a foot away when I recorded it.

Don't know what model you have but suggest you check their website for a manual. If it's the same design as mine (oil free, twin cylinder with a direct drive motor), no mechanical maintenance is required aside from draining the tank and cleaning the filters.

 

[Hmerkle]

Mike, (@patlaw )
I think something is wrong.
CAT compressors are supposed to be VERY quiet (less than 75 DB) you should be able to easily speak in a room over the noise.
I would call them Tomorrow or Tuesday and see if you can share the video with someone. Only they can suggest a PM schedule or help you determine if something is wrong...

 

[patlaw]

I called the factory and found the problem. The rattle is coming from the cowling over the controls panel. I kid you not. (It's obvious from the call that I'm not the first one to complain about the problem.)

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Woodman2k]

Check oil, drain water from tank, check all screws and nuts for any loose connections.

Mike, no oil it's oil free. Scheduled for obsolescence soon.
GregB

 

[Mike Davis]

Mike, no oil it's oil free. Scheduled for obsolescence soon.
GregB

Why? I was just about to buy one.

Is there something better coming?

 

[Woodman2k]

Mike,
After all those years at IR I will never own a oil free unit. There is no guess as to how long it will last and they never have large capacity tanks cause then they would be pusher even harder. Look around, there are smaller units out there with oil cooled pumps.

 

[ssmith]

Had a 1HP craftsman, oil lubricated hot-dog compressor for years. Got tired of the noise (in a 3 car garage) and bought a CAT 10020C-22060. It's about 4 years old, and with moderate use I haven't regretted the decision at all. The quiet is great.

Not dismissing Greg's comments. For me though, the noise vs. potential lifetime tradeoff is worth it.

 

[Gofor]

Just an observation: Cast iron compressors are much quieter than aluminum ones. The cost is in the weight. My "portable" one (Campbell Hausfeld 20 gal horizontal tank with two wheels) weighs in well over 200 pounds. It is not as quiet as my little 2 gal Fortress oil-less, but much quieter than a pancake compressor, and does not require ear protection when using it.

 

[Mike Davis]

Is something loose and rattling?

So, this turned out to be the problem.