Air compressor air problem.

[LowR3V'in]

High. I have a 30gal oiled compressor that I think has a problem.

It's at 100psi and drops to 50psi after the regulator when using an
impact wrench.

This is directly coupled to the tank, no hose.

Could it be the regulator? It's all stock it's a kobalt.
Is there some mods or something I can do to this thing or am I stuck?

It'll still take off crank bolts but a solid 90psi would be cool at least.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_53661-1126-VT6361_0__?productId=3370354

[Smelser]

It should pump to at least 120 or 140 tank pressure

is there an adjuster to adjust the regulator when your using air?

[AndrewBird]

Pull the regulator of and connect the hose directly and see if it does the same thing.

[LowR3V'in]

it'll go to 155psi but 100psi is where it's at right now.
a 50psi drop is pretty large I think.

[TurboJake]

If you're measuring a 50psi drop at the impact when in use, it's a flow issue. Whether it be the regulator, hose diameter (not in this case if you're going straight to supply), orifice diameters (Couplers, line driers, oilers, etc). The tool is using more air than can be fed, causing a dramatic drop in pressure. CFM the air tool uses is probably higher than the CFM of the feed.

If you're measuring a 50psi drop at the impact when it is NOT in use, then it's the regulator.

Either way, raise the pressure to max. Unless you're painting or sandblasting, where pressure, air temp, water in the lines, and flow is critical, run the max. Your compressor will run longer, and in the long run will cause a decreased lifespan, but not by enough where you'll actually notice the difference (We're still talking years and years of use). Then the 50psi pressure drop will be a *little* more acceptable, and will get you where you want. Opening it up may increase the flow too, give it a shot. If not, it isn't ideal in a lot of ways and still WAY above what I would deem acceptable, but you won't have to figure out what is starving it for air because enough will get there. My bet is the regulator can't flow enough.

The most I've ever had my impact drop the line is 20psi, which is just "OK", but I have a HF compressor that I've hackslashed, modded, and put some quality stuff on it to get it to be that good.I also run my gun at 125ish working psi because of that. Makes it pretty gnarly, and breaks EVERYTHING loose.