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Regulator Rebuild

Etowah
DiamondWash

DiamondWash

Well-known member
Do you rebuild your Regulators or just buy new ones? I've been buying the SMC 555 Balanced Regulators from KR for my Cat 5CP2120W's for years and recently I took one apart just for s*its and giggles there isn't alot to them just a couple of o-rings/seals and a s.s piston as well as the spring in the knob, the reason I ask is that the one I took apart was having problems when the trigger was pulled it would put out 900psi instead of 1200psi all I did was unscrew the knob and removed the c-clip and the retaining washer then pushed the plunger out wiped it off applied a little marine grease on the piston then put it back together hooked my hoses and boom back to 1200psi.
 
Currently I use the Giant Unloader with built in CV and rebuild them at least once after they start spiking...They spike when they start to fail. Even though the giants last for years, they are more difficult to replace and rebuild. Plus they cost about 50% more and the rebuild kits are 5 times more expensive. Instead of replacing them when they go bad, I bought all new Paraplate regulators and will install them when the Giants fail. The Paraplates are very similar to the SMC or KR style regulators, very simple design. When I got the paraplates, I also ordered new orings and pistons to have on hand...

I bought a KR REK624 regulator that looks similar to the SMC 555 when getting the Paraplates just to compare...The noticeable difference in the two is the REK624 is brass with a SS seat and use a heavy gauge spring to set pressure. The Paraplate is all SS and uses spring washers to set pressure....The REK624 and SMC regulators are less than half price from the Paraplate...I'm beginning to wonder if the SMC is a better choice based on price and design? Rebuildable??? I don't see why not...Too cheap and easy not to try!
 
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I've been using the Paraplates for years and they last a long time. When they start to lose pressure or leak, a rebuild kit is $5 and takes a few minutes to install.
 
I've pretty much given up on rebuilding regulators - most of them have o-rings that ride on brass, and once the brass erodes they won't hold seals anymore. Paraplates are the worst with the stacked conical washers, they rust and cause the pump to over-pressure.
 
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