Help! My Hatsan Lightning Compressor won't start or build pressure—Fixed!

Question: When you started it back up to complete your fill from 3k to 4.5k was the SCBA tank turned to open? I.E. DID you have reverse pressure flowing from your tank to the compressor before the compressor had reached 3000k? That can cause the machine to fail to start. If that was not the case then the next place to look is at the controller box that does all the switching for auto shut off etc. Sometimes simply unplugging and the replugging it in will reset things. Finally my last tip is to inspect the box that contains the wiring for the capacitors and the circuit breaker. I have had wires come loose but still be attached. That one was hard to find and really pissed me off when I finally figured it out.

No promises here just some of my experiences. Keep you chin up, that racal will bend to your will sooner or later! Nick

When you try to restart, are you opening the tank valve and pressurizing the line before switching it on? If so, that is probably the problem. Try starting it with no load and let the pressure build. Also, it should not be necessary to fill in stages with a compressor of that type unless it is clearly overheating. 

Hi

On my hatsan lightning compressor I had to recalibrate it to reach 4450 , when I received 

Why did you fill in many stages and wait days to refill. If filling from 0. You could fill in just two stage. From 0-2000. Then wait 30min to maybe an hour and then fill all the way to 4500psi. That's how i did on mine and it's still working like a charm. You might have to send it in for repair. FYI it will take over a month to get it back. That's what happen to my first lighting. They send me a new one and it works great.

Hey L. Leon, the Hatsan is very similar to the AV and I know that it may a fuse hidden in a fuse holder just as a AV. Didn't know if you might have ran across it yet.

Jking

Hopefully it is just the switch? Looks like there may have been a over current event?

I concur. One of the legs of the switch has the base melted and four connectors are showing signs of over heating. After you have replaced the switch , you may want to check the temperature of these parts after running the compressor for some time. There may be other hidden issues. Hope the heat was just due to a bad contact inside the switch generating sparks.

Looks like the wires on the switch got fired. Hope you get it back running. my lighting still runs like a champ. Hope it stays that way.

Glad all is going well as far as getting it fixed. I learned something about my Lightning yesterday. I previously set the auto purge to come on like at every five minutes, to ensure moisture free air, but what happens is every time it purges, the pressure drops, then catches back up to where it left off with the tank pressure. Well, that takes up time, approximately 3-5 minutes to catch back up. So a top off from 3000 to 4500 psi that would normally take 20 minutes can go as long as 35 minutes, and all that does is allow the compressor to get hotter.

So, live and learn, now I changed the setting to auto purge at 10 minute intervals, that way I get at least one purge in a 3000- 4500 psi top off, which is so typical of when I decide to air up my tank. 

This July will mark a year of ownership, and I’m still running with the original fill of Amsoil 30/40 compressor oil and Zerex G-05 coolant. Yesterday at 35 minutes of run time the highest it’s got in temps was 175 degrees F. If I didn’t purge so much it would have only gotten up to around 150 degrees F.

Do you have an hour count on that compressor? Is purge length settable or interval only? Do you allow it to run for a while after bleeding as a last purge before shutting off? Good to hear it's still working well. Lots to be thankful for as air gun shooters these days.

Do you have an hour count on that compressor? Is purge length settable or interval only? Do you allow it to run for a while after bleeding as a last purge before shutting off? Good to hear it's still working well. Lots to be thankful for as air gun shooters these days.

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You can only set the time when it Purge. You can't set for how long it will Purge. Don't stand near when it purge. It's 10 times as loud as you manual bleed. Scared the crap out of me every time it purge. Also when it's done filling it always auto Purge all the air out of the compressor. You just have to manually bleed to lines. Really nice compressor. Better than the air venturi imo. Also cheaper. $1093 at field supply vs av compressor at $1399 on airgun Depot/prymaird air

That auto purge is for sure an underwear changer. I’ve got plans to pull some pranks on a buddy of mine next time he comes to shoot with me at my place. I’ll show him how I fill the tank, and while it’s filling I’ll step away and tell him to keep an eye on the fill. Should make for a good time.



Mr. LLeon- did you get you lightning all fixed up?

Glad you’re back up and running, Mr Leon. I don’t know how you or others feel about your Lightning’s, but I can’t wait till my tank needs a topping off, cause to power up this compressor is just pure joy. With the recent acquirement of the 30 cal Wildcat, coupled with my 30 cal Hercules Bully, my 88 cu foot tank needs a topping off easily once a week. I feel it’s always best to use equipment rather than let it sit idle, anyway.