paasche d535 bleeder valve

[snacktruck67]

I want to know how do you now if a Paasche D535 bleeder valve is open or closed? and how does it actually work? I have the D535 valve on my Paasche D500 compressor, and the instructions state not to operate the compressor with the bleeder valve closed. Well, the instructions do explain any thing about the valve except about the thing being closed or open. Is this what controls the psi to the air brush? I am am bit confused.

[Art Anderson]

I want to know how do you now if a Paasche D535 bleeder valve is open or closed? and how does it actually work? I have the D535 valve on my Paasche D500 compressor, and the instructions state not to operate the compressor with the bleeder valve closed. Well, the instructions do explain any thing about the valve except about the thing being closed or open. Is this what controls the psi to the air brush? I am am bit confused.

There are two common types of compressors for airbrushes, "piston" and "diaphragm".

A diaphragm compressor uses a crankshaft and pushrod to move a rubber diaphragm up and down (or in and out--take your pick), and given the flexibility of rubber, can be started up even if there is compressed air in the hose (with airbrush hooked up, trigger "off").

The D500 is a piston-type air compressor, but lacks the valving allowing it to fill say, a pressure tank--so it will not start up with the outlet blocked (as it would be with airbrush and hose coupled to it, and the air brush trigger is "off". Trying to do so can burn out the motor. Hence the bleeder valve you have with it. It's necessary to open the bleeder valve before starting this air compressor, after which the valve can be closed and the compressor will continue to run, as long as there is airflow through it. However, it has a built in shutoff switch to prevent overloading (stalling the motor). Opening the bleeder valve a bit here will allow it to continue running with the air brush trigger "closed", but I'd not let it run very long that way. The bleeder valve can also provide some control over the air volume though your airbrush, but it's not a very accurate pressure regulator.

This bleeder valve is a threaded unit--or at least if was that when I was selling airbrushes and compressors in my old hobby shop years ago.

Art

Edited January 11, 2015 by Art Anderson

[snacktruck67]

I really appreciate your answer. However my not having any knowledge of the compressor, in which position is the valve closed or open? After reading your answer am I to understand that the air pressure going to the brush is strictly a guessing game or such? Do I need to get a regulator with the pressure gauge on it to properly adjust the air pressure to the brush? What I do understand is that I must open the valve a little bit before starting every time, and then close it after it is running. Is that correct? It's just that I do not know by looking at it if it is closed or open. I tried to turn the valve and it does not want to move. The only thing I know about it is that my sister in-law purchase the set-up to use in a nail salon. I would take from that info, that this brush shoots very fine? Please excuse my questioning so much, but I am a green horn when it comes to the brush and compressor. Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.