Sealey SA4FR/38 Air Filter Regulator

Neil 26/01/2010 10:44:27

This product is poor - the designers choosing a different sized inlet port to the outlet ports was the first mistake (makes it very difficult to install in a system where 8mm id hose and 1/4 bsp fittings are the norm - i.E the diyers garage). The filter is held in place on a plastic sleeve and acts against a strong spring - this meant the plstic thread was already 1/2 stripped as it arrived in the box. Also, the "aluminium alloy" feature means that the material is generally weak - all threads suffer very easily - if it were steel this would not have been a problem). Both the inlet and outlet ports do not have a circular id, so any connectors that are screwed into the port do not seat correctly on the mating half connector - making cross threading very likely. This is made worse by the poor casting quality leaving two casting lines in the thread along the axis of the outlet port - the threads are not cut in, they are cast. Cross threading and thus damaging the ports is very likely when you're trying to attach a "heavy" 8mm hose to it. The regulator knob is also very stiff to operate. The reedeming feature of this regulator is that it has multiple outlet ports and they can both be valved in/out - this was what attracted me to the unit initially (despite the brand name with dubious merit).