What to look for in a compressor??

sekurugeorge · Jan 25, 2010

Hi All,

Have been thinking about getting a compressor for general diy work, cutting panels, using an impact wrench, tyre inflation, drilling, grinding and the like, can anyone give me any pointers as to what make/model/size to get? I have been advised to go for a minimum of 50ltr but no info as to the displacement or size of motor. I am going to be using it as an enthusiastic, not necessarily compitent DIYer so don't want to shell out for a unit that I wont need.

Many thanks in advance

George

Sirus · Jan 25, 2010

Get the biggest bhp you can afford

gotoneatlast · Jan 25, 2010

cfm is important too.

Trewey · Jan 25, 2010

if you want to do anything worthwhile, you'll need one capable of at least 14cfm.

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

cfm, bhp poor bloke needs modern advice we went metric 10 years ago

gotoneatlast said:
cfm is important too.

Titan · Jan 25, 2010

Bear in mind 3HP is the biggest you can run on 240v.

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

Why?

Titan said:
Bear in mind 3HP is the biggest you can run on 240v.

lerk · Jan 25, 2010

Titan said:
Bear in mind 3HP is the biggest you can run on 240v.

Not strictly true, a 3hp motor is only 2.2kW (9A), theoretically you could run 3.1kW (4.1hp) from a 13A plug, however above 3hp you need to ensure the motor will not restart after a power failure - this means fitting a starting contactor...
Above 4.1hp, you will need to connect direct to a feed (preferably a dedicated feed for the compressor) and things start getting really tricky...

I have a 2hp 50ltr cheapo compressor, which i use mostly for knocker gun and tyre inflation etc. - it has no problems coping with those tasks, but would struggle with spraying and possibly grinding...
Unless you really want to use air for drilling and grinding, look at the 2hp/50ltr ones as anything bigger will cost considerably more and it would be far more economical to buy/use electric drills and grinders!

HTH
LERK

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

Why cant you run a 7.2 kW motor off of a 30A (cooker type feed)

lerk said:
Not strictly true, a 3hp motor is only 2.2kW (9A), theoretically you could run 3.1kW (4.1hp) from a 13A plug, however above 3hp you need to ensure the motor will not restart after a power failure - this means fitting a starting contactor...
Above 4.1hp, you will need to connect direct to a feed (preferably a dedicated feed for the compressor) and things start getting really tricky...

I have a 2hp 50ltr cheapo compressor, which i use mostly for knocker gun and tyre inflation etc. - it has no problems coping with those tasks, but would struggle with spraying and possibly grinding...
Unless you really want to use air for drilling and grinding, look at the 2hp/50ltr ones as anything bigger will cost considerably more and it would be far more economical to buy/use electric drills and grinders!

HTH
LERK

lerk · Jan 25, 2010

treestump said:
Why cant you run a 7.2 kW motor off of a 30A (cooker type feed)

You can - provided the feed is rated properly and the motor is controlled with a suitable control circuit...

lerk · Jan 25, 2010

But most large compressors are 3~ as over 3kW single phase motors become very inefficient/expensive

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

yeah true! Cheers Lerk. Whats sort of pascals (sorry) psi can they cope with?

lerk said:
But most large compressors are 3~ as over 3kW single phase motors become very inefficient/expensive

Sean · Jan 25, 2010

if you want a BIG compressor but don't have 3 phase or want the hassle of providing a direct to incoming supply there's plenty of petrol powered ones about

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

Good be good for the size of the thing i want to inflate

Sean said:
if you want a BIG compressor but don't have 3 phase or want the hassle of providing a direct to incoming supply there's plenty of petrol powered ones about

Sean · Jan 25, 2010

treestump said:
Good be good for the size of the thing i want to inflate

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

Priceless

every cornishmans fantasy

Sean said:

kernowdragon · Jan 25, 2010

treestump said:
Good be good for the size of the thing i want to inflate

Your misses'll die o shock if you walk into the bedroom having applied that much pressure to it

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

Now you know why I've been married 4 times

kernowdragon said:
Your misses'll die o shock if you walk into the bedroom having applied that much pressure to it

kernowdragon · Jan 25, 2010

treestump said:
Now you know why I've been married 4 times

Wot, cause you didn't have a compressor to keep it up?

treestump · Jan 25, 2010

Gettin so old Angelina Jolie couldn't keep it up

Willin to try though

kernowdragon said:
Wot, cause you didn't have a compressor to keep it up?

What to look for in a compressor??

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