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Air Compressor

Etowah
Waxman

Waxman

Super Moderator
I need to replace my detail shop compressor,

we run air tools.

building is wired for single phase.

i am cheap

i want it quiet.

what do you suggest?

TIA!!!!!!!!!!
 
Cheapest way would be to run an air line from the nearest business that has "free" air!

But seriously, I'd buy a decent unit (on sale) and build an insulted but vented box to quiet the sound. Likely for air tools the unit won't kick on for long periods of time. Main thing, as I'm sure you know, remember to drain the tank as needed to recent rust through.
 
A single stage compressor will get you around 125 PSI. A dual should get you 150+ psi. I personally would go with a Qunicy or Ingersol Rand industrial compressor. Any compressor can be made to run quieter with a good muffler on the inlet side. I would think a 5 HP would be minimum that you would want with a 80 gallon tank. If your old tank is still in good shape you could plumb them together for more holding capacity which would make your compressor start and stop less often.
 
This compressor is very quiet (About as loud as a box fan on high) and fairly robust. I've personally seen them in a half-dozen car washes and they hold up well.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30...table-Electric-Air-Compressor-C302H/206695048

This one is a lot more robust (It's the cheapest one I've found that continuous duty rated) and not excessively loud. You can stand next to it and talk over it without yelling. I put one in as a back-up.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80...Stage-Electric-Air-Compressor-C801H/203187346
 
You should check out Eaton Air Compressors. They are a little more money but come with a 5 year warranty. Here in FL most of the compressors in the big box stores are for residential use. No warranty if used in a commercial site. Have also heard, but not tried, that if you plumb the air intake to an outside source and put the muffler there, the sound goes way down.
 
I have a Campbell Hausfeld 80 gallon 6hp compressor that is about 20 years old for my 4 bay. The only thing I worry about is tank rust through because of its age! It hardly ever kicks on, so it doesn't generate much moisture in the air or tank. Another thing to consider, I use all push to connect fittings and virtually have no air leaks. This has to help! For a smaller SS, I think something like this is more than adequate. The 80 gallon capacity is nice so it doesn't run as much.
 
mac said:
You should check out Eaton Air Compressors. They are a little more money but come with a 5 year warranty. Here in FL most of the compressors in the big box stores are for residential use. No warranty if used in a commercial site.
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Most of them have a 5 year warranty for home use, 90 day for commercial.
 
I used air compressor rebuilders as you suggested for mine and I thought the price was great. The service was great. I will call them first on my next compressor purchase.
 
MEP001 said:
The three-cylinder one I linked above is only $20 more and would be a much more reliable compressor as it's rated for continuous duty, not to mention much quieter.
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that looks good. i couldn't see where it says it was single phase.
 
Do you really need a continuous duty compressor for a 4 bay self serve? I verified my Campbell Hausfeld is 20 years old. Manufactured in 1996...I don't think its continuous duty? I think you have to determine how much air you use/need and go from there. If I had a big operation other than a small SS, I'd definitely look for something better. The Husky, Central, pneumatic, General, Campbell Hausfeld...All are cast cylinder compressors. While maybe not continuous duty, they are plenty for a SS wash. Obviously, stay away from the Oil-less ones or the aluminum cylinder ones! That should be a no brainer...JMHO....
 
He's wanting it for his detail shop to run air tools, which I assume would include air buffer which you would run a very long time for each car. He would need either a compressor with a very high recovery or one that can run non-stop without concern that it won't overheat. One that's rated continuous duty can do that.

FWIW, I've had air lines blow a few times - the 7.5 HP twin stage Ingersoll/Rand running non-stop got incredibly hot, and once when it happened when the I/R was down from a bad contactor the 3-cylinder managed it without getting too hot to touch.
 
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