Iwata Smart Jet add-ons

I don't own one of these, but the comment about the "leaking" regulator is interesting. Considering that it's a "continuous flow" type compressor (ie. no tank) I would have expected the regulator to "bleed" excess air while running to prevent overpressure on the compressor side of the regulator. I would be hesitant to swap this out for a reg that may or may not incorporate a bleed system (if indeed that's what it is).

Being of a design that isn't intended to operate with a tank, I am guessing it would be up to you as an operator to monitor the tank pressure as it fills and switch off the compressor at the appropriate time.

I don't think that a tank is all that essential for this particular model as it appears to incorporate an in-line pressure sensor which activates the motor when you need air and switches it off when you don't (ie. when you press/release the trigger on your airbrush).

Before changing any of the factory installed parts or attaching to a tank, I would recommend that you check that these actions will not void your warranty in any way.

I suggest trying the unit "as is", and if you're happy with the performance, stick with it, otherwise if there are specific issues that you find with your own use of the unit, then address them when they arise.

My compressor (the same as the one in the pic you posted, but minus tank) works awesome with no tank and the regulator/trap that came with it.

I think it all boils down to how much you use it. Mine seems to get used for maybe 20 minutes at a time about 3-4 times a week. Maybe what I have isn't the ideal but it works fine for me. I don't notice the air pulse which is a big reason for the tank. 

Maybe I'm not trusting but possibly could the salesman be trying to milk it a little? You can buy an air tank in any auto parts store with all the fittings to make it work. Used appliance stores would probably have something too.  

The best thing would be to try the compressor for a few hours and then decide. I'm betting you won't see a difference with regulators. 

Hey thanks you guys for the information. So I turned it on for the first time and it works fine as far as the regulator goes. I had no leaking, but then again it is new so I wouldn't expect that.

 As for the tank, I'm wondering if it is a good idea and would this solve the problem of the unit having to run constanly while on a lower pressure setting? I know this has an automatic on/off switch but only works if you don't have the air valve open. Correct me if I'm wrong but aren't I going to want to spray at lower pressures for models? In this case the on/off switch is no good because it always stays on. Which brings me back to the original question and wondering if a tank would stop this from having to always be on or is the pressure sensor going to know that air is being blown out the tank, therefore it would kick in anyways. Thanks again.

 P.S. I do notice that this model is not as quiet as I would have thought. Is it the surface it is on, the way I have it set up or maybe something else? I've read in the forums that this was as quiet as a refrigerator but it does't seem to be that way.

My .02.

I use a Smart Jet. Sold a Sprint Jet for it.

The moisture trap it came with works fine. To combat the problem you mentioned about the unit running all the time because the regulator valve is open I installed an actual regulator and closed the valve.  Ace hardware has the perfect little regulator. I just installed a lower pressure gauge, a 60 psi unit, so I could get more accuracy for the lower pressures modeling uses. Now all I do is set the regulator at my target pressure and the auto feature does the rest. Runs the line pressure up to 45psi and turns off the motor while the regulator keeps the working pressure at, say 15psi. With no tank and the psi set at 15-20 the compressor makes pressure faster than I use it and turns off the motor.

I have been considering adding a tank. Like mentioned above it would have to be even better than it is now, and I love it as it is.

As far as noise goes, this one is very quiet. I have it under the bench on carpet and hardly notice it running while I hum along with Glen Miller's Moonlight Seranade. But it's not as quiet as a fridge. As far as I know none of them are in this price range.

hkshooter wrote:

To combat the problem you mentioned about the unit running all the time because the regulator valve is open I installed an actual regulator and closed the valve.  Ace hardware has the perfect little regulator. I just installed a lower pressure gauge, a 60 psi unit, so I could get more accuracy for the lower pressures modeling uses. Now all I do is set the regulator at my target pressure and the auto feature does the rest. Runs the line pressure up to 45psi and turns off the motor while the regulator keeps the working pressure at, say 15psi. With no tank and the psi set at 15-20 the compressor makes pressure faster than I use it and turns off the motor.

Excellent comment and information. Although, I'm not too sure I fully understand. So did you replace the old regulator with this one from Ace? What do you mean by actual regualtor? Can you give specifics on which one? What is the low pressure gauge you refer to? Is the regulator trapping more air inside the Iwata tank? Is this safe? Sorry for all the questions, I'm just not that knowledeable about compressors yet. Thanks

The regulator that comes attached to the bottom of the moisture trap is not really a regulator but more of a valve with a ball and spring in it. It operates like an adjustable pop off valve. When you adjust the valve knob you are changing the spring pressure on the ball so that it "pops" open at your desired pressure to bleed off excess air. The valve serves two purposes, one the "regulator" function, and two, a means with which to drain water from the moisture trap. Closing this valve completely negates the regulator function and keeps ALL the line pressure inside the unit.

Leave the unit as is but where the air line to the air brush attaches install a small regulator. Below is a pic of my set up. The gage is just a misc unit I had laying around. Typically, the one that comes with such a unit is scaled way to high for the pressures we use so a more refined unit is needed. A 0-60 psi unit is ideal, allowing the user to to see pressure in 2 psi units instead of 5 or 10. It's kinda hard to set your working pressure to 17psi when the gage skips from 10 to 20.

The unit is safe as all these componets will work together. Obviously the regulator is made for it. I removed the bracket that holds the moisture trap from my compressor and secured it to the bottom of my bench top and the compressor sits on the floor. The coiled hose makes this easy. The blue ring you can barely see is blue tape I put around the clear bowl so it would fit tighter in the bracket.

You can find the regulator in places like Ace Hardware, Lowes, Menards, any place that would sell air compressors. They will also have any fittings you may need to hook it up like nipples and unions. You only need one nipple for the outlet of the regulator for the AB hose to attach to.

Thanks hkshooter for the detailed description. It sounds like you have a great setup. I'll also note that I just got done talking to Iwata tech support and in the email he had this to say about adding a tank:

Tanks are good things, here's why http://www.iwata-medea.com/support/faq_air.jsp  Look at the sixth question. A tank should be installed between the regulator and the engine.  Make sure it's rated up to 50psi.  The Smart Jet comes with a bleed valve, so any true pressure regulator should be better than it, and using a tank requires a regulator.

As you can see in the link it makes some good points. But Iwata also states that their "regulator" is just a bleed valve which I didn't even know, so thank you hkshooter for bringing that to my attention. Iwata also mentions that any true pressure regulator should work better. I think tomorrow morning I'm going to go pay a visit to airbrush-depot.com since they are just down the street and see about getting the tank and a true regulator. The only thing I'm hoping is that the tank will in fact keep the switch from constanly going on and off. 

Just thought I would update this for other people wondering what to do with their Smart Jet.

 So I went into airbrush-depot.com and purchased their small black tank that they use on their TC-20 and also purchased their "Regulator / Water Trap / Gauge Unit ABD R20" and put them all onto the Smart Jet. With a little bit of work I got the holes to line up in the feet with new tank without any drilling. I fired it up and now works like a true compressor. It will fill up my tank plus shut itself off without having it constantly draining air. The regulator is really nice and gives me much more control over the Smart Jet "regulator." I highly recommend going with this for anyone who has a Smart Jet.

So how much do you have invested in that compressor now?

MikeV wrote:

So how much do you have invested in that compressor now?

Smart Jet purchased off of eBay New ($180)

2.5 Liter Air Tank New ($39)

Water Trap-Regulator New (Free with purchase of tank)

Total = $219

Pretty good deal seeing that most places sell the Smart Jet by itself with the inadequate regulator between $208 to $290. 

Not bad!

I love my Badger Million-Air but it is a bit more expensive.  

MikeV wrote:

Not bad! I love my Badger Million-Air but it is a bit more expensive.

Wow, that Badger looks nice. Someday I'll get there...after I've painted about 1000 aircraft.

Centurion wrote:

MikeV wrote: Not bad! I love my Badger Million-Air but it is a bit more expensive.   Wow, that Badger looks nice. Someday I'll get there...after I've painted about 1000 aircraft.

I have a 1/2 hp Jun-Air also connected to a 5 gal tank.

They are very nice compressors, but real pricey.