Air compressor

[MrForbes]

it's probably a reed valve compressor, and motor direction has nothign to do with airflow

[Mark McLeod]

The compressor does work wired both ways, but not very well.

[Mr. Freeman]

I think there was a thread on here awhile back about the compressor compressing regardless of polarity but something about cooling fans spinning backwards and not working well if it was plugged in backwards. I can't seem to find a manual anywhere or instructions about turning this into a vacuum pump.

[R.C.]

Ok, I think I got this one. We tried to use an "Add on" That allowed us to reverse it to use Suction. We tried this in 2007 and it did not work. The part kinda looked like a solenoid and I found it while looking for something else. I hate posting vaguely. But if I find the real thing I'll post it here.

[FourPenguins]

Originally Posted by rc_cola1323

Ok, I think I got this one. We tried to use an "Add on" That allowed us to reverse it to use Suction. We tried this in 2007 and it did not work. The part kinda looked like a solenoid and I found it while looking for something else. I hate posting vaguely. But if I find the real thing I'll post it here.

I believe you're referring to a Venturi vacuum pump, which would work with any pressure line. The compressor itself may actually be able to function as a vacuum pump on its own. I'm not sure how though.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

This compressor is known as a "wobble" or WOB-L (TM) pump. The piston is a single piece integrated with the piston rod and seals. It does not have a wrist pin where the rod connects to the piston. This model is not designed for vacuum so you must use a venturi to produce vacuum using this pump. Thomas does make another pump that looks similar that does produce vacuum. It essentially is the same pump with a different head and valve assembly. That pump is part of the 415 series not the 405 series.
The pump works fine in either direction, but the efficiency is higher in the direction marked and therefore less heat is developed.