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        General >> Off Topic Subjects >> Air Compressor
        
(Message started by: - Mike - on Feb 19^th, 2009, 7:37pm)

Title: Air Compressor
Post by - Mike - on Feb 19^th, 2009, 7:37pm

Hi
Advice please.
I looking towards replacing my current small compressor with a larger one. I have seen a second hand one on ebay which has a 100lt tank but it comes with only a 2hp single phase motor on board driving the compressor via a belt. Most new ones nowadays seem to have a 3hp motor. Do you think without having to wait an eternity for the tank to fill 2hp is going to be powerful enough?

Thanks
Mike

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by scorpio_man on Feb 19^th, 2009, 8:12pm

hi there

as an alternative to 2nd hand.....

http://aldi.co.uk/uk/html/offers/2867_8907.htm

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by gozz on Feb 19^th, 2009, 11:50pm

Mike.
The Aldi one shown by scorpio_man is an absolute bargain,several of us on here bought them.They are unfortunately fitted with miniature outlet connectors which suit only the plugs supplied on the plastic hoses and equipment.To make them compatible wth British standard equipment,PCL fittings need to be installed into the outlet manifold which is made of 'monkey metal' and fractures if any pressure at all is applied,therefore they should be fitted with Araldite or similar and screwed in with only moderate pressure.Having busted mine,a new one was readily available via the parts supplier.
GOZZ

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by - Mike - on Feb 20^th, 2009, 6:31pm

Thanks chaps
Unfortunately for as good as the Aldi one may be it's far too small for my needs with only a 24ltr tank. I currently have a 25ltr tank with a measly 1.5hp motor and find that it cannot deliver sufficient quantity of air, hence looking towards a 100ltr tank version. A 150ltr would be nice but both the measurements and price go up a little too much.

In the end I didn't bother with the ebay one as it reached over £200 towards the end of the auction and considering that it would have cost me to collect it as well as also taking into account that it was photographed in a workshop/garage, I really had to question the sellers statement of "Having had very little use" when he mentioned that it was also 18 months old. Too much I think for a second hand unit like this.

So I think I will have to start saving some pennies now and begin looking towards getting a new one with a guarantee.

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by gozz on Feb 20^th, 2009, 11:01pm

Mike.
The recovery speed of these little things is amazing,they maintain pressure when a blow gun is held permanently open,I have another one with a tank twice the size,but recovery is very slow.Obviously if you are using air tools a heavy duty one would be required though.
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by Tons_of_fun on Feb 24^th, 2009, 5:16pm

The bigger the tank...the longer to fill. A 50ltr tank with a 3hp motor will take as long to fill as a 25ltr tank with a 1.5hp motor. Only advantage with a bigger tank is a longer working period at full pressure. Im in agreement with the guys with the aldi compressors. Cracking little units. Just wish the local toe rags would stop pinching mine >:(. Any news as to when they are back on the shelves ? ?

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by - Mike - on Feb 24^th, 2009, 7:37pm

on 02/24/09 at 17:16:35, Tons_of_fun wrote:

Only advantage with a bigger tank is a longer working period at full pressure.

Exactly what I need, for as Gozz says when using air tools a plentiful supply is a must and with the blast cabinet arriving this week never the more so would a good supply be needed.

Quote:

Any news as to when they are back on the shelves ? ?

I wouldn't hold my breath I often find it's possibly only once or twice a year. Often though you seem to find that the likes of Aldi, Netto and Lidl copy each others offers, so keep a close eye on them too.

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by Jonnycab on Feb 25^th, 2009, 2:19am

I bought one of those compressors from Aldi last year & I think it's great. It's the first compressor I've ever bought, so I couldn't really compare it to anything else bigger or more expensive, but it does everything that it says & everything that I require of it.

For the price it's an absolute steal & it comes with loads of tools which alone have got to be worth the price of the compressor. Also comes pre-filled with oil as well :)

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by lesterlad on Feb 25^th, 2009, 7:57am

on 02/25/09 at 02:19:36, Jonnycab wrote:

Thought for one minute you was gonna say pre-filled with air
}{

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by gozz on Feb 25^th, 2009, 8:54am

lesterlad.
They do come prefilled with air at 14.7 psi ;D
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by Jonnycab on Mar 2^nd, 2009, 1:24am

If you dragged it to the top of a mountain & opened the ports, then it would be compressed air ;).... ;D

Title: Re: Air Compressor Choice
Post by - Mike - on Apr 2^nd, 2009, 10:49pm

Hi chaps :)

Time to reopen this topic as I'm nearing the time now to actually go and buy a new one. I am looking towards a 100ltr (because of physical size, 150ltr ones are to long) 3hp version and maybe looking towards either SIP or Sealey.

Any preference with either make or a they both as good as one another ???

Thanks
Mike

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by pinto on Apr 3^rd, 2009, 12:09am

Have a look at what your local motor factors are offering mike - they normally have deals on this time of year ( usually a good price + some extra pressies free :) )

I'd have sealey over SIP personally.

Oh, and chose a twin piston model if its in your budget - a single piston one will struggle to put enough CFM out for a decent blast cabinet..

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by - Mike - on Apr 5^th, 2009, 5:57pm

Thanks Pinto ;)
I agree about the twin cylinders and also now reckon apart from the weight gain there is little benefit to be had between a cast iron pump and a alloy one incorporating cast lined cylinders. The only thing I am unsure of is the performance difference between a standard twin cylinder and a V type twin cylinder pump. If there anything like a car then I think I would rather have the straight cylinder. :-X

I've also discovered that with a 3hp version that it may be necessary to supply it with a dedicated 30A supply to allow for the draw on start up. Even the likes of Sealey with their soft start state:-

"NOTE: THIS PRODUCT IS INTENDED FOR USE ON AN INDUSTRIAL 30AMP SUPPLY WHICH MUST BE INSTALLED BY A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN. It may be possible to operate the compressor on a Domestic 13 amp outlet under the following conditions: The mains supply must conform to IEE Wiring Regulations, and the spur used to run the compressor must not include any other socket which could be used for another appliance. The distance of the socket from the mains distribution point must not exceed 5 metres. another appliance. The distance of the socket from the mains distribution point must not exceed 5 metres.
An extension lead must not be used.
Under certain conditions the compressor will draw more than 13 amps. Consequently, we recommend a 30 amp supply and suggest that a direct round pin plug/socket is installed by a qualified electrician.

NOTE: IF THE FUSE BLOWS REPEATEDLY WHEN USED ON A DOMESTIC 13 AMP SUPPLY, CONTACT A QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN TO INSTALL A 30 AMP SUPPLY."

Crikey they seem unsure! :-X So unless I go for 2hp version there's going to have be some wiring done!
Though, having said that, I have read many reviews from owners of 3hp machines stating that 16A is sufficient on a 1ph mains supply. ???

Also having now also checked out Machine Mart what is the general consensus on Clarke air industrial compressors. ???

Mike

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by gozz on Apr 5^th, 2009, 8:16pm

Mike.
I've got a small single cylinder Clarke compressor which has been with me for nearly 30 years,it's been ragged to bits over those years,when I was in haulage we sprayed all the wagons with it,inflated all the big tyres and it is still as good as the day I bought it.They had agents selling them in those days.
Whether or not the quality still exists I would not like to guess,some of their 'look alike' stuff is just not up to the hammer !
GOZZ.

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by pinto on Apr 7^th, 2009, 5:20pm

Its all to do with the huge inductive load required on start up - because its purely inductive, the "actual" load is greater than the "apparent" load sugested by the rating plate (it all gets into complex electrical theory as to why :) )

But to cut a long story short.... we've run a 3.5hp 200L industrial compressor on a 13A spur for about 7 years now without a single trip out, even stating under compression :) - the manafacturers are just covering their asses (much the same way as that nice £300 DeWalt SDS drill you bought is actually only able to drill a "maximum depth" of 13mm in masonry.... beond that you're risking it lol)

Title: Re: Air Compressor
Post by Dave2302 on Apr 8^th, 2009, 11:06pm

[]

Mines a Taskmaster 200lt 14CFM 3hp and I've run it off 13 amp spur for years. Taskmaster come from Brown Brothers Factors and they produce some darn good gear, I've got other stuff too and used / abused it all on a daily basis for years and years with no troubles at all.

Regards Dave