Ryobi 3302H + Ryobi-Matic vs Kompac

[PatQcCa]

Hi DaveK44

I had this speed problem when i was slowing down the speed of the press...sometimes not for two weeks. And the problem came back....

You could heard the sound of the water system accelerating ....grrrrrrrrrrr!!! and came back to his normal speed after 5 seconds.

A tech. talk about that electronic board to...

Kompac are great, it's true : less waste, faster start up...

And for me the first reason for my final choice between Kompac and Crestline : less rollers = less problems.

Sound quite simple but you have 1 kiss to check, make sure the seals are ok and that's all!

Good luck!

PatQcCa

[davek44@earthlink.net]

Dear Offset Guy,

Thanks for your feedback. Yes, I am dealing with Presstek & they prefer the Kompac system.

I called a Ryobi parts depot in Nashville about the circuit board. I need to get the part number for the board, but is is possible that a replacement is available. Apparently, there are at least (2) versions of the speed controller with different circuit boards (to me that suggests an attempted fix to a problem).

I have also contacted an independent service tech (K-Press) to give us a second opinion. He seems to be a big believer in the Ryobi-matics & suspects that the speed issues are related to improper settings rather than a bad circuit board.

If we need to replace, we will discuss further with tech the Crestline vs Kompac issue. It seems to me that Crestlines are a better product, but it sdoes not make sense to ignore the guy who has to service us.

I will report our results.

Thanks again,

Dave

[davek44@earthlink.net]

Hi Pat,

Thanks for your info also. Sounds like you had the same problem, except that now ours is permanent & we are out of production.

My concern with which system we use is about being able to produce the best quality as well as eliminating maintenance issues.

Dave

[Al Ferrari]

If you are serious about eliminating maintenance issues, get the Crestine. Why choose a design that uses a wearable part for two sides of its water reservoir? Kompac and Crestline are both good metering systems when properly adjusted and the seals are new.

I've had Kompacs before on other presses. Currently I have Crestlines on a 3302 for more than 10 years, and have never needed to replace the water pans.

Al

[OffsetGuy@presstechnician.com]

DaveK44,
I still stand my comments that the Ryobi water system is a total waste. Do yourself a favor, price the cost of the Ryobi water rollers. The 3 rollers used in that unit that are rubber for one unit cost $1500.00 from Ptek. Plus you have the extra baggage of electrical boards and motors when in one shot you could fix it all and still come out ahead.
I have yet to see a Ryobi water on that model be up to color in 3-4 sheets like Crestline or Kompac does. Plus the replacement costs for the rollers are lower. It is a win win thing sir.
I truly wish to say one thing to you, Your comment about listening to your service tech says a lot about you and him or her. Your loyalty to that rep is a great thing and I respect that opinion. He or she must be a great tech and I would listen to them also.
Crestline and Kompac are installed on these Ryobi's for a reason.
OG

[davek44@earthlink.net]

OK !

We got a 2nd opinion & a few adjustments eliminated the need for either a circuit board or new dampeners. This tech has extensive experience with the Ryobi-matic & says that they are just as reliable & just as good as Crestlines or Kompacs, but adjustment is critical.

I guess it remains to be seen if the problem re-emerges, but he showed our press operator some tips for adjusting & we saved a bunch of money on new dampeners as well as a week waiting on parts.

I told Presstek that they were a little too quick to suggest that we buy new dampeners.

Thanks for all of your input.

Dave

[OffsetGuy@presstechnician.com]

Dave,
Great to see you are pleased with the results. There are still a few ryobi tech purists that love that water system. Why I have no clue. They will preach the techs do not know how to work on them and operator adjustments are critical etc.
But if you have ever seen the ease and quality of a Crestline on the 9995 you would know what I say.
Makes the operator job easier also no metering roll cleaner, no gum or etch on chrome rollers.
Anyway best of luck
OG

[graficworx]

Wanted to chip in my story of our 3985 with Crestlines. The Crestlines are far superior to the original water system, and maintain a very even film. The only issue is that the rollers only seem to last a year or two at the most, even with regular maintenance and proper pressures. They seem to swell up a bit over time, and this is with reduced fountain solution. Our old AB Dick 360's with Kompacs have never needed new rollers (I have some NIB, never taken off shelf) and work flawlessly. Even though a set of Kompacs for the Itek/Ryobi are costly, I'm thinking about it because of the cost of replacing two sets of rollers bi-annually.