Silentair 20A setup help

Jaxthejeweler

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Jul 16, 2019
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Just need some detailed help setting up a new silentaire 20A compressor. Oil is filled to max line. Air intake cap on, but now I’m not sure whether to cover the oil intake per with a rubber backing it came with or what? Can’t find any info in videos or manual as they aren’t the same model. image.jpg image.jpg
 

monk

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not sure about that. try youtube. that may help. lotsa useful stuff there.
 

Sinterklaas

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Cap in first picture next to 110Volt is a basic filter. That is where the compressor sucks in the air. Dont get oil on that.

The second cap on the oil fill tube. I would assume it should go back on the tube. When you turn on the compressor the oil will get warm and might get above the max line. That is normal.

May silent air is smaller and doesnt have the oil tube. But I would assume it must be closed. But you can check the manual. If you don't have the manual it is probably also available online.
 

takedeadaim

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Mar 9, 2017
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Wisconsin
Just need some detailed help setting up a new silentaire 20A compressor. Oil is filled to max line. Air intake cap on, but now I’m not sure whether to cover the oil intake per with a rubber backing it came with or what? Can’t find any info in videos or manual as they aren’t the same model. View attachment 48273 View attachment 48272
I spoke to a friend who has this model, his first comment was great compressor with the worst manual. He stressed the vented cap in your photo that has the yellow voltage decal needs to be kept free of oil so air can be drawn through it freely. The black cap where you added you oil goes back over the oil fill tube to retain the oil while the compressor runs. He said the fill cap goes over an open tube through which oil is added (unless they have changed the way they ship) and is like the oil fill on your car it goes back on to keep oil in and dirt out. The vented cap is what allows air into the pump so it operates properly.

Because I’m not there to see it I’ll add this disclaimer; if you have doubts call or email Silentaire or the dealer where you purchased the unit and verify any lingering questions.
 

oniemarc

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Mar 29, 2021
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I ran one for 20 years and always had the cap on. Mine came oilfilled from the store I bought it at and had the cap on the tube. I never touched it and it ran perfect. Without the cap, dirt gets in the oil and that's never good.
 

Jaxthejeweler

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Jul 16, 2019
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I spoke to a friend who has this model, his first comment was great compressor with the worst manual. He stressed the vented cap in your photo that has the yellow voltage decal needs to be kept free of oil so air can be drawn through it freely. The black cap where you added you oil goes back over the oil fill tube to retain the oil while the compressor runs. He said the fill cap goes over an open tube through which oil is added (unless they have changed the way they ship) and is like the oil fill on your car it goes back on to keep oil in and dirt out. The vented cap is what allows air into the pump so it operates properly.

Because I’m not there to see it I’ll add this disclaimer; if you have doubts call or email Silentaire or the dealer where you purchased the unit and verify any lingering questions.
The absolute worst manual indeed, haha! Thank you for your help. I put the cap on as it makes most sense not to get debris in the line.
 

takedeadaim

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Mar 9, 2017
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Wisconsin
The absolute worst manual indeed, haha! Thank you for your help. I put the cap on as it makes most sense not to get debris in the line.
I hate it when I spend money on a good tool and find out they spent ten minutes where they should have spent an hour making a decent manual in the event you need to service it or just have a question. It took me a full 20 minutes the other day to find the number of the light bulb for the front parking lights on my truck. Why would that not be in a table that's listed in the index.
 

herbhoover

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Jan 27, 2021
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1
Just got this model, too. Both YouTube and the printed instructions say pull out the blue tube. I took the housing off and there was no blue tube. Seems like a pretty important change to the product to document properly. Thanks for sharing this post!
 
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