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Air Compressor What size

lilb93

lilb93

Member
How much air supply will you need for 4 bays SS and 1 IBA. Who uses Piston type compared to Rotary screw. Thanks
 
I'm not expert on compressors, but i just purchased a:

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Schrader-SA1526-Air-Compressor/p8159.html

for my garage, you may want to check with the manufacture of your IBA to see what they recommend for CFM, but i know if i was in a pinch i could use this compressor in a 3 bay self-serve, i was impressed the way it came packed, it was shrink rapped and bolted to a pallet, i think they are a great company. It is 120/240v.

You probably need a 2 stage for an IBA, but check these guys out, they have any and every type you would want including rotary screw.
 
The main thing to look for is one that's 100% duty cycle. The ones that aren't are usually not meant to run more than half the time.

I got this one as a back-up compressor:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80...Stage-Electric-Air-Compressor-C801H/203187346

It's the cheapest one I could find that's 100% duty cycle. By itself it very easily keeps up with the 6-bay and Vector auto which uses a lot of air. It's also very quiet.

One of the most important things in making a compressor last is breaking it in however the manual specifies.
 
I would not waste money on Harbor Freight tools or equipment unless I planned to abuse and break it.
 
Always by a 2 stage and the highest voltage for less amp draw like 208-230v three phase I have been buying Polar Air made in the us by mom and pops company with a Eaton Compressor 5 year bumper to bumper warranty and very quiet running. VeryIndustrial grade I would go with a 80gallon if I was you. I love mine.
 
I wonder how good these are http://www.californiaairtools.com/ ... someone over on the laundry association forum was bragging them up based on their experience. Having a backup compressor that automatically comes on has proven to be helpful for us long term wise.

I agree with Mack on the 3 phase ... if our Ingersoll Rand 2340L5 air compressor motor burns up ... hopefully we will be able to find a 3 phase motor that has the same frame mounting to replace it. The slight re-wiring to go from 2 phase to 3 phase in our equipment room will be worth it ... also because usually single phase within a three phase building makes not as good of wire & panel balancing.

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com
 
Extreme overkill and a lot of money for a 14.2 cfm air compressor?

I have a Campbell Hausfeld 80 gallon compressor with a single stage cast iron pump. It develops 14 cfm @ 90 psi...I can buy 5-6 of these for what you are paying for that one....Something to think about. BTW, mine is over 20 years old. It keeps up with a 4 bay no problem! I bet you could also throw the IBA in there without any issues!
 
2Biz said:
Extreme overkill and a lot of money for a 14.2 cfm air compressor?

I have a Campbell Hausfeld 80 gallon compressor with a single stage cast iron pump. It develops 14 cfm @ 90 psi...I can buy 5-6 of these for what you are paying for that one....Something to think about. BTW, mine is over 20 years old. It keeps up with a 4 bay no problem! I bet you could also throw the IBA in there without any issues!
Click to expand...

I would not buy a new one waiting on a call a guy had one with 880 hrs on it 5HP IR screw. He said he would take 600.00 cash.
Will know Wednesday. Anything new is just crazzzzy priced..
 
lilb93 said:
I would not buy a new one waiting on a call a guy had one with 880 hrs on it 5HP IR screw. He said he would take 600.00 cash.
Will know Wednesday. Anything new is just crazzzzy priced..
Click to expand...

lilb93,

I remember checking into rotary screws awhile back & then getting cold feet after lots of information gathering. I am not saying that it is not a good fit for some though with a need for more non stop quiet use & more durability. I found this series of posts on some cons for rotary screw: http://www.woodweb.com/knowledge_base/Rotary_Screw_Compressors_for_Intermittent_Use.html

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com
 
I have 20 gallon Sanborn air compressor at the car wash that puts out 6cfm at 90 psi, it's only been running for 33 years ago, I think I paid $199 for it at the old Builders Square, it was one of those Friday night emergencies where we were going out of town for a few days and I get call that the IR air compressor had died. I only figured the Sanborn would a year or two, it's still going strong. The only thing I've done to that compressor is replace the start switch in the motor once and a pressure switch. No air dryer.
 
A rotary screw would be way overkill for a carwash application, but if I could pick up a good one for $600 I wouldnt even think twice, I would scoop it up!! I have 2 ingersoll 80 gal. 2 stage compressors that are tied together, one has the pressure switch set just a bit higher then the other, it will only turn on if the first one fails. I put a binks dryer regulator off of each compressor.
 
A couple thoughts. 2 stage is useful for getting 160-180 pounds. All of our stuff is 80 pounds max so this is unnecessary. You are spending energy to pump a tank of air up to 170 so you can regulate it back down to 80 or less. Get a compressor with a standard frame motor. preferably 1800 rpm motor. This means it turns slower and the pump will last longer. This also means you can buy a replacement motor anywhere and also these units are usually on a good compressor (that costs more). 184 T is an example of a standard frame. Having a larger compressor than you need is not necessarily good. Like your air conditioner it's easier on a compressor to run longer cycles fewer times. Buy the biggest tank you can afford or if you're going to have 2 compressors tie the tanks together for less short cycling. Scroll compressor is more efficient at making air but for the volume we use it's not cost effective. As far a s Harbor Freight I'd rather have a junk used unit that still works than their house brand of anything. I had multiple bad experiences.....I learn slowly but I eventually do learn when an angle grinder burst into flames in my hands.
 
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