Harbor Freight Tools 61454 Product manual
Owner’s Manual & Safety Instructions
Save This Manual Keep this manual for the safety warnings and precautions, assembly,
operating, inspection, maintenance and cleaning procedures. Write the product’s serial number in the
back of the manual near the assembly diagram (or month and year of purchase if product has no number).
Keep this manual and the receipt in a safe and dry place for future reference.
GAL
21
cast iron
vertical air
compressor
REV 15a
When unpacking, make sure that the product is intact
and undamaged. If any parts are missing or broken,
please call 1-888-866-5797 as soon as possible.
Copyright© 2013 by Harbor Freight Tools®. All rights reserved.
No portion of this manual or any artwork contained herein may be reproduced in
any shape or form without the express written consent of Harbor Freight Tools.
Diagrams within this manual may not be drawn proportionally. Due to continuing
improvements, actual product may differ slightly from the product described herein.
Tools required for assembly and service may not be included.
Email our technical support at: productsupport@harborfreight.com
Visit our website at: http://www.harborfreight.com
Read this material before using this product.
Failure to do so can result in serious injury.
SAVE THIS MANUAL.
Table of Contents
Safety ......................................................... 2
Setup .......................................................... 6
Specifications ............................................. 6
SAFETY SETUP OPERATION MAINTENANCE
Operation ................................................... 11
Maintenance .............................................. 14
Parts List and Diagram .............................. 18
Warranty .................................................... 20
WARNING SYMBOLS AND DEFINITIONS
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential
personal injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that
follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
will result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in death or serious injury.
Indicates a hazardous situation which, if not avoided,
could result in minor or moderate injury.
Addresses practices not related to personal injury.
Page 2 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. ITEM 61454
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
General Safety Warnings
WARNING Read all safety warnings and instructions.
Failure to follow the warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire and/or serious injury.
Save all warnings and instructions for future reference.
The warnings, precautions, and instructions discussed in this instruction manual cannot cover all possible
conditions and situations that may occur. It must be understood by the operator that common sense
and caution are factors which cannot be built into this product, but must be supplied by the operator.
1. Work area safety
a. Keep work area clean and well lit.
Cluttered or dark areas invite accidents.
b. Do not operate the Compressor in explosive
atmospheres, such as in the presence
of flammable liquids, gases or dust.
Compressor motors produce sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
c. Keep children and bystanders away
from an operating compressor.
2. Electrical safety
a. Compressor plugs must match the outlet.
Never modify the plug in any way.
Do not use any adapter plugs with grounded
compressors. Standard plugs and matching
outlets will reduce risk of electric shock.
b. Do not expose compressor to rain or wet
conditions. Water entering a compressor
will increase the risk of electric shock.
c. Do not abuse the cord. Never use the
cord for unplugging the compressor.
Keep cord away from heat, oil, sharp edges
or moving parts. Damaged or entangled
cords increase the risk of electric shock.
3. Personal safety
a. Stay alert, watch what you are doing and
use common sense when operating this
compressor. Do not use this compressor
while you are tired or under the influence
of drugs, alcohol or medication. A moment
of inattention while operating a compressor
may result in serious personal injury.
b. Use personal protective equipment.
Always wear ANSI-approved eye
protection during setup and use.
c. Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the
switch is in the off-position before connecting
to power source or moving the compressor.
4. Compressor use and care
a. Do not use the compressor if the switch
does not turn it on and off. Any compressor
that cannot be controlled with the switch
is dangerous and must be repaired.
b. Disconnect the plug from the power source
before making any adjustments, changing
accessories, or storing the compressor.
Such preventive safety measures reduce the
risk of starting the compressor accidentally.
c. Store an idle compressor out of the reach
of children and do not allow persons
unfamiliar with the compressor or these
instructions to operate it. A compressor is
dangerous in the hands of untrained users.
d. Maintain the compressor. Keep the
compressor clean for better and safer
performance. Follow instructions for
lubricating and changing accessories.
Keep dry, clean and free from oil and grease.
Check for misalignment or binding of moving
parts, breakage of parts and any other
condition that may affect the compressor’s
operation. If damaged, have the compressor
repaired before use. Many accidents are
caused by a poorly maintained compressor.
e. Use the compressor in accordance with
these instructions, taking into account
the working conditions and the work to
be performed. Use of the compressor for
operations different from those intended
could result in a hazardous situation.
5. Service
a. Have your compressor serviced by a
qualified repair person using only identical
replacement parts. This will ensure that the
safety of the compressor is maintained.
SAFETYSETUPOPERATIONMAINTENANCE
Page 3For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.ITEM 61454
Air Compressor Safety Warnings
1. Risk of fire or explosion - do not spray
flammable liquid in a confined area or towards a
SAFETY SETUP OPERATION MAINTENANCE
hot surface. Spray area must be well-ventilated.
Do not smoke while spraying or spray where
spark or flame is present. Arcing parts - keep
compressor at least 20 feet away from explosive
vapors, such as when spraying with a spray gun.
2. Risk of bursting - do not adjust regulator higher
than marked maximum pressure of attachment.
3. Risk of injury - do not direct air
stream at people or animals.
4. Do not use to supply breathing air.
5. Do not leave compressor unattended
for an extended period while plugged in.
Unplug compressor after working.
6. Keep compressor well-ventilated.
Do not cover compressor during use.
7. Drain Tank daily and after use. Internal rust causes
tank failure and explosion.
8. Add correct amount of compressor oil before first
use and every use. Operating with low or no oil
causes permanent damage and voids warranty.
9. Do not remove the valve cover or
adjust internal components.
15. USE OF AN EXTENSION CORD IS NOT
RECOMMENDED. If you choose to use an
extension cord, use the following guidelines:
TABLE A: RECOMMENDED MINIMUM WIRE
GAUGE FOR EXTENSION CORDS
(120 VOLT)
NAMEPLATE
AMPERES
(at full load)
0 – 6 18 16 16 14
6.1 – 10 18 16 Do not use.
10.1 – 12 16 16 Do not use.
12.1 – 16 14 12 Do not use.
a. Make sure your extension cord
is in good condition.
b. Be sure to use an extension cord which
is heavy enough to carry the current your
product will draw. An undersized cord will
cause a drop in line voltage resulting in loss
of power and overheating. Table A shows the
correct size to use depending on cord length
and nameplate ampere rating. If in doubt,
use the next heavier gauge. The smaller
the gauge number, the heavier the cord.
16. Industrial applications must follow OSHA guidelines.
EXTENSION CORD
LENGTH
25′ 50′ 100′ 150′
10. Compressor head gets hot during operation.
Do not touch it or allow children nearby
during or immediately following operation.
11. Do not use the air hose to move the compressor.
12. Release the pressure in the
storage tank before moving.
13. The use of accessories or attachments not
recommended by the manufacturer may
result in a risk of injury to persons.
14. All air line components, including hoses, pipe,
connectors, filters, etc., must be rated for a minimum
working pressure of 150 PSI, or 150% of the
maximum system pressure, whichever is greater.
17. Maintain labels and nameplates on the
compressor. These carry important safety
information. If unreadable or missing, contact
Harbor Freight Tools for a replacement.
18. This product is not a toy.
Keep it out of reach of children.
19. Operate unit on level surface. Check oil level
daily and fill to marked level if needed.
20. People with pacemakers should consult their
physician(s) before use. Electromagnetic fields in
close proximity to heart pacemaker could cause
pacemaker interference or pacemaker failure.
21. WARNING: The brass components of this product
contain lead, a chemical known to the State
of California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm. (California Health
& Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
22. WARNING: The cord of this product contains
lead and/or di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP),
chemicals known to the State of California
to cause cancer, and birth defects or other
reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.
(California Health & Safety Code § 25249.5, et seq.)
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS.
Page 4 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. ITEM 61454
Grounding
TO PREVENT ELECTRIC SHOCK AND DEATH
FROM INCORRECT GROUNDING WIRE CONNECTION:
Check with a qualified electrician if you are in doubt as to whether the outlet is properly
grounded. Do not modify the power cord plug provided with the compressor.
Never remove the grounding prong from the plug. Do not use the compressor if the power cord or plug is
damaged. If damaged, have it repaired by a service facility before use. If the plug will not fit the outlet,
have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
110-120 VAC Grounded Compressors:
Compressors with Three Prong Plugs
SAFETYSETUPOPERATIONMAINTENANCE
1. In the event of a malfunction or breakdown,
grounding provides a path of least resistance for
electric current to reduce the risk of electric shock.
This compressor is equipped with an electric
cord having an equipment-grounding conductor
and a grounding plug. The plug must be
plugged into a matching outlet that is properly
installed and grounded in accordance
with all local codes and ordinances.
2. Do not modify the plug provided –
if it will not fit the outlet, have the proper
outlet installed by a qualified electrician.
3. Improper connection of the equipment-grounding
conductor can result in a risk of electric shock.
The conductor with insulation having an outer
surface that is green with or without yellow
stripes is the equipment-grounding conductor.
If repair or replacement of the electric cord or
plug is necessary, do not connect the equipmentgrounding conductor to a live terminal.
4. Check with a qualified electrician or service
personnel if the grounding instructions are
not completely understood, or if in doubt as to
whether the compressor is properly grounded.
5. Use only 3-wire extension cords that have
3-prong grounding plugs and 3-pole receptacles
that accept the compressor’s plug.
6. Repair or replace damaged or
worn cord immediately.
Grounding
Pin
125 VAC 3-Prong Plug and Outlet
(for up to 125 VAC and up to 15 A)
7. This compressor is intended for use on a
circuit that has an outlet that looks like the one
illustrated above in 125 VAC 3-Prong Plug
and Outlet. The compressor has a grounding
plug that looks like the plug illustrated above
in 125 VAC 3-Prong Plug and Outlet.
8. The outlet must be properly installed and grounded
in accordance with all codes and ordinances.
9. Do not use an adapter to connect this
compressor to a different outlet.
Symbology
PSI
CFM
SCFM
NPT
NPS
Pounds per square inch of pressure
Cubic Feet per Minute flow
Cubic Feet per Minute flow
at standard conditions
National pipe thread, tapered
National pipe thread, straight
VAC
A
Double Insulated
Canadian Standards Association
Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.
Volts Alternating Current
Amperes
Page 5For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797.ITEM 61454
Specifications
SAFETY SETUP OPERATION MAINTENANCE
Instructions for putting into use
Read the ENTIRE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION section at the beginning of this
manual including all text under subheadings therein before set up or use of this product.
Electrical Rating
Air Outlet Size
Air Pressure
Air Tank Capacity 21 Gallons
Air Flow Capacity
Oil Capacity 5.6 oz.
Oil Type
Sound Level 90 dB @ 3′
Shut-off 125 PSI
Restart 95 PSI
120VAC / 60Hz / 14A
(Dedicated circuit recommended)
1
/4″ -18 NPT
4.7 CFM @ 90 PSI
5.8 CFM @ 40 PSI
SAE 30W, non-detergent, Air Compressor Oil
(sold separately)
248648
TO PREVENT SERIOUS INJURY FROM ACCIDENTAL OPERATION:
Turn the Power Switch “OFF” and unplug the Air Compressor from its electrical
outlet before assembling or making any adjustments to the compressor.
Note: For additional information regarding the parts listed in the following pages,
refer to the Assembly Diagram near the end of this manual.
ON/OFF Power Lever
(On Pressure Switch (54))
Oil Sight
Glass
(33)
Pressure
Regulator
(74)
Pressure
Switch (54)
OFF
ON
Safety
Valve
(73)
Tank Pressure
Gauge (53)
Output
Pressure
Gauge (77)
Quick
Coupler (76)
- for attaching
in-line shutoff
valve, air
hose and tool
Safety
Valve
(73)
Tank Pressure
Gauge (53)
Figure B: Controls
ON/OFF
Power
Lever
Pressure
Regulator
(74)
Coupler
Output Pressure
Gauge (77)
Quick
(76)
Drain
Valve (66)
Figure A: Functions
Page 6 For technical questions, please call 1-888-866-5797. ITEM 61454
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