Which air compressors do you find that will work off the average 15a household outlet?
Need to be able to run framing guns, but not at production speed as this is repair work.
The crew has lots of manly double hotdog compressors and they want too much current. Had one hooked up today, right next to the outlet. Can’t do more than that. Blew the breaker twice, so that dog won’t hunt.
We wound up using a PC pancake unit.
Heard nice things about the Thomas 635, but for that money, I want a regulator on it.
My DeVilbis has regulator problems (80# is all you get) and I just leave my manly double hotdog in the van because it wants a good 20A to play.
The ToolBear
“Never met a man who couldn’t teach me something.” Anon.
Replies
toolbear....get that double hotdog a continuous run gadget. If you can start it...it won't pop the circuit.
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Blue,Color me Duh? Tell me more about a continuous run gadget. You can to a stock unit?The big wheelbarrow compressors run all the time - but they also demand lots of cold starting amps.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Tool, there's a little valve that attaches to our twin tank electric compressors. Our tool guy tried to talk us out of using the electric model because every other contractor was telling him they couldn't keep it running. I knew about the continuous run feature and demanded a unit that had it. He had to special order the valve and of course it works!
It keeps the electirc motor humming along quite nicely but the compressor only kicks in when air is needed. It's called continous cycleling. We still try to plug in next to the meter, but the compressor will run off a generator or 15 amp circuit..but we always find the 20amp anyways.
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
Even compressors with low amp pull can turn over hard when cold or full of air. Was it just this outlet or does it happen all the time? Could have been something else on that circuit.
If the pancake works, I guess you've already found something. Lots of folks use them all day, should be fine for occasional repair work.
You can get a replacement regulator for the DeVilbiss, they aren't expensive.
I run a Speedaire 3JR84. Graingers carries them. Once in awhile it blows a breaker or fuse but that has more to do with the circuit than the compressor. There's a picture of it and a Rapid Reel in message 50003.19 Suggestions for air hose storage.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
Don't know if it was full of air. Just hooked it up and blew out twice.
It was a Craftsman.I will make sure the tanks are empty next time. Cold --- foreman wants action NOW. I don't think warming it in the sun will sit well, but then they can supply a unit optimized for underwired homes. (Right.)The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Delta has a small lightweight super quiet compressor that develops over 100 psi and will run my Pasload framing gun about as fast as I want it to. Sells for about $100.00 Several of my friends saw mine and bought their own.
Delta - as in table saws and such.Tnx - will look this up.The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
Google for Delta air compressors.
Northern Tool shows it for $89.99
Or go to northerntool.com
(You will like this little compressor)
Its the Delta Shopmaster.
Shipping weight is 23 Lbs
Edited 11/17/2004 5:08 pm ET by ARROWSHOOTER
4 gal Hitachi or Cambell-Hausfeld oil-less with 1-1/2 horse continuous duty motor?
could you install a 20a breaker, and a length of 12g with a duplex on a temporary basis?
I fear not. The boss wants us in and out. I have the materials for a dryer dongle that will pickup the 30A 125/250 dryer circuit - but many of the units have the dryers in the house - where we don't go. The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.
the thomas pancake compressor is really nice, expensive but when you think about how long you'll have it and how quiet it is (sounds like a refridgerator, its almost soothing), and how much time you'll save by being able to plug it in anywhere (even approved for 100ft of 12ga extention cord), and how light and easy to carry it is... Its dirt cheap.They're ok for a framing nailer but I proibably wouldnt run any more than one at a time on it unless youre in a pinch..
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measure once-
scribble several lines-
spend some time figuring out wich scribble-
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get mad
I have a RolAire that runs fine on a 15A circuit in a house that was built in 1946 with the original BX wiring. Look for a small relief valve on the outlet. If this gets sticky, it's hard for the motor to kick over. I had a problem with mine for a little while and it did pop the breaker whenever it would start up. May be the problem with yours, too. Also, if it's not the oilless type, look at the oil level. If there's too much or if water got in, it'll hydraulically lock the piston. If you have a boat and have ever gotten water in the cylinder(s), you know what I mean.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
I agree about the Rol-aire
I have a little 3/4 horse single hotdog rol-aire that works nicely. I bought it specifically with the 15 amp limitation in mind because I often work on older houses with dubious wiring to contend with. I am often plugging my compressor into an adapter screwed into porch light sockets.
It will run one roofing gun continuosly, 2 guns if the roof is cut up or if 1 of the 2 is doing detail work.
It runs a single framing gun no problem----but if you are sheating it will run out of air after 1-2 panels----so I usually install and nail off each panel one at a time.
If I need more air capacity for an extended time---while staying within the 15 amp limit-----I have an auxilary tank I can bring along an hook up.
As someone else noted----Rolaire doesn't like cold weather start ups. I bring mine inside overnight for use in cold weather-----It rides to work on the floor of the cab with the heater blowing straight on it. On the job I keep it in the sun and out of the wind if possible. For cold weather start up------bleed all of the air out of the tank and leave the drain cock OPEN when starting-----once ya get it up and started run it for 4-5 minutes with the draincock OPEN before ya bring it up to pressure. during cold weather as long as you cycle it on and off pretty regularly it works fine----but if you let it cycle off for an extended period---like a smoke break or lunch----then ya might have to do the whole start up procedure again.
Stephen
If it's got oil in it, it can be hard to start. If you have one of those small regulators(basically a little valve that limits flow that goes on the hose) you can put that on with the end open so it has a constant leak. That way, you don't need to mess around with the draincock. Northern has them for about $7. They work great if you're away from the compressor and need to vary the pressure frequently. It can be put on to start it cold, too. If it's cold and dry, there won't be much moisture condensing in the tank, but it's still a good idea to open the drain at the end of the day.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
highfigh,
thanks for the tip
I am wondering
ya think if I just left the drain open just a hair it would accomplish the same thing for my purposes( just enough for the slightes hissssss ?)
Stephen
That would work, but it's usually a pain to get at so I use the leaky female hose fitting or the cheap regulator and the end open set to a slow leak. Either way, as long as the tank bleeds down, it'll start occasionally. Check the oil level now so you know if it's too high. I got mine free because the idiot who owned it listened to his idiot friend when he was told that it was screwed up and wasn't worth fixing. His loss is my gain. I pulled the dipstick and saw that the oil was WAAAAY higher than the mark and the onboard circuit breaker had popped. Too bad I didn't put the dipstick back in when I pressed the breaker. Oh well. A little oil all over my shirt won't hurt anything.
"I cut this piece four times and it's still too short."
I know another maintenance tip Highfish.
I took tow relatively new electric rolairs in for service. They wouldn't start...only humm till the circuit popped. I thought the armatures were burned. The honest repair guy told me that the brushes were corroded with sawdust. He suggested blowing out the electric motor once a week.
We haven't heard any humming anymore.
blueWarning! Be cautious when taking any framing advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, all of it is considered bottom of the barrel by Gabe. I am not to be counted amongst the worst of the worst. If you want real framing information...don't listen to me..just ask Gabe!
This one has worked well for me, fine in a house.
http://www.eatoncompressor.com/catalog/item/733537/450646.htm
Auto Zone had a stack of the Eaton or just like it for $79.00 I can't believe they can make this thing and ship it across the world and have it retail in a store for this price.
No wonder our industry has gone to China.
I'm sure the little Delta I'm talking about is made over there too.
I have a Thomas Renegade T200ST. Runs fine on a 15 amp circuit and even an (in a pinch) occasional extention cord. Good output (4.6 cfm @ 100psi) and 135 psi max. Easy on the ears, too, http://www.thomaspumps.com/ultra/pdf/sheets/RenegadeProSeries.pdf
From what I've heard the Thomas T-2820ST does fine on a 15 amp circuit, too. I think Mongo and Jeff Buck are running it.......... hope they'll chime in. The 2820 has better output (5.0 cfm @ 100psi) and quicker recovery (9 vs 12sec.) than my 200ST and cost about $130 more. http://www.thomaspumps.com/ultra/pdf/sheets/ClassicUltra.pdf
Haven't had mine through a winter yet but the fact that the Thomas's are oiless can't hurt in regards to cold starts.
Edited 11/17/2004 9:28 am ET by jc
I was getting ready to say the Thomas ST2820 ...
it'll run most anything you want, gun wise ...
very rarely pops a breaker.
as a matter of fact ... I think there was a sticker of some sort on it when I bought it saying it was 15 amp friendly ...
biggest difference I've found from it ... compared to others as well as other Thomas' ... it's quieter too.
Jeff
I think he should just hook up his airhose to the boss's truck tires...oughttta drive a few nails b4 they go flat.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
He said he wanted something small that will do what he wants. I think this is what he needs.
BTW it'll probably shoot 16s all the way through those big old soft timbers you're working with and tires too.
Been watching the pictures of your project it's amazing.
" Big old SOFT timbers"? Yer nuts...175 yr old white oak is like rock. Melts sawzall blades, dulls a chainsaw in a no time flat.Thanks anyway tho' {G}
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
Well some of them looked pretty soft to me .
Well, yeah..some were downright hollow..but they are gone now.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
hitachi runs on 13 amps
tyke
Just another day in paradise
As a couple of guys have mentioend, I have the Thomas 2820.
It's a twin cylinder, twin piston compressor. Oil-less.
I've never had it balk on start-up, even in winter. I've never had it pop a breaker, and it runs on 15A circuits whenever it's not at my place. I've never run out of air. I've run multiple gun, but never used it for spraying.
Can't recall how long I've had it. Maybe five years or so?
In addition to Jeff Buck having one, I recall Pro-Deck having one as well.
I'd buy it again.
Mongo,
TNX for the Happy Camper report. A happy owner is worth a hundred ads.
My dual tank C-H likes 20A. Pampered by new construction job power. Remodels are 15a unless you can get at the dryer. I have a dryer adapter. My garage wiring sucks, so it just looks at me. Not even an "urgh."The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.