Larger electric jobsite compressors
Any of you guys with larger onsite air consumption demands running electric compressors of the larger variety like wheelbarrow or 20 gallon models? We’ve been running a 17 gallon gasser forever now but I’m just getting sick of the noise and always filling the gas cans. Seems like a waste of money if we could get by with an electric unit when we have temp power, but I really have zero experience with the larger electric compressors.
Many of our jobs have temp power services with at least a couple 15 amp breakers. I could dedicate one to the compressor and use the other for the spider box and the rest of the power tools.
So I’ve been looking around a compressors lately anyway as I feel like we should have a decent back-up around especially as the miles pile up on my big Rol-Air. For about the same money as a decent used gasser I could get a new large electric wheelbarrow or 20 gallon tank unit.
My biggest question/concern is the power issue. Nothing crushes momentum like problems with the power and breakers tripping. So any information on that part would be appreciated.
I’m also curious as to know what the benefits (if any) would be of having a compressor that can switch from continuous run to a more normal set-up where a pressure switch kicks the compressor on. I’m guessing that the continuous run feature would mean less chance of tripping breakers as the compressor surges and kicks on?
To give you some idea of what I’m talking about, here’s the link to the compressors that I’m considering:
http://www.mytoolstore.com/rolair/bd2.html
and
http://www.mytoolstore.com/rolair/bd1.html
Replies
I have worked off of a lot of Emglo wheelbarrow compressors. Some are set up with switchable 120/240 and depending on what you have to plug into that can be nice. They appear to have been swallowed up by Dewalt and here's the closest thing, 8 CFM, which should street for around $700.
http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/tool_detail.asp?productID=4799
Thanks Dave. So overall your experience with larger electrics is good?
For about the same money as the Dewalt/Emglo...a little less even, I can get a Rol-Air of similiar specs. I'm still a little wary of that Dewalt/Emglo line. The pump on them is about 2/3 the size of the ones on similar Rol-Air units and I've just had such good luck with the big Rol-Air I have now that I think I'll stick with the brand. I think the older Emglo were great compressors, but I do believe that Dewalt has cut some corners. Maybe I'm paranoid though.
Thanks again for your help.View Image
I either know someone who has one, or I see how many stars it gets on Amazon reviews. Never seen a Rol-Air. With the large Emglo wheelbarrows we get the electrician to connect them to a 240 on the power pole or to the dryer circuit if we're trimming. I have worked off of several of those, with numerous guys framing or trimming all at once. Very common to see blue compressors out here in the west.
Well that's good to hear. Like I said, I've always thought that Emglo made good compressors but I wasn't sure about the new Dewalt/Emglo ones. I guess I could have checked out the feedback though, huh? Thanks again.View Image
We have an old electric emglo (before they were bought out) 8 gallon wheelbarrow. It always runs so it never has problems in the cold weather and it never blows a 15 amp breaker w/o an extension cord. I've seen many other emglos around here in Michigan as well.
You can get the old style made by Jenny, made in USA here, http://www.jennyproductsinc.com/portables/index.html. Our local tool store has some models in stock and they're identical.
Good information right there, thank you. I've seen the Jenny's right next to the Rol-Airs at our tool store too. I had suspicions but wasn't sure whether they were just the Emglo ones again.
I really don't understand what Emglo is trying to do. They had/have a great name in compressors. Why mess around so much? So, now Emglo is Yellow and badged with Dewalt. But it's not really Emglo? If you want a 'real' Emglo, then you have to buy a Jenny?!?!? LOL...... I'm sticking with green for right now anywho. I think Rol-Air makes a great compressor. I guess my question was more about how they function (tripping breakers and what-not) than really asking which one to buy.
Appreciate all the advice, none the less.
View Image
I got a 3 horse rol air. Stays in the trailer and run off my welder/generator unless we have power. Every framing job I do we won't work with out a temp panel or other good power source so running 22o line for the compresoor isn't usualy a problem.
I've been an employee for a couple outfits that used the type of compressors you're talking about. For the most part the 1-1/2 horse motors for those models seem to be 15 amp. The quality of the motor helps to reduce start up spikes that trip breakers, as does the gauge and length of the extension cord. Buying a 10 g extension for the compressor isn't a bad route if you need it.
The cut in pressure (low side) can also effect how many amps are drawn on startup. This has been the hardest to deal with since we want the higher minimum pressures for guns to work well, but the lower cut in pressure is easier on the breakers.
This must be what the continous run feature is for on the compressors you listed. Until your post I've never even heard of an electric with a constant run feature, but it makes sense for what you do. It would definitely make a performance difference since the pressures would be kept topped off. If you are used to a constant 110+ psi, a cut in pressure of 90 psi is really noticable, especially if you're building with dougfir or nailing LVLs.
It makes my back hurt just thinking about how much those compressors weigh. :-)
While not directly related, this thread has brought up another question:
What is the smallest "rotary screw" compressor available?
I ask, because I recently replaced, in an industrial setting, a 60 amp 'piston' type compressor with a 60 amp rotary screw type. The new one is exceptionally quiet .... you can lean on it and carry on a normal conversation ... and has a 100% duty cycle.
That experience has me looking for a portable unit.
The smallest from Sullair is a 49hp trailer mounted righttp://www.sullair.com/corp/details/0,,CLI1_DIV61_ETI5998,00.htmlkinda big huh? P.S. that link takes awhile to load for some reason.
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.Wer ist jetzt der Idiot
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Diesel: Does your existing gasser "idle down" when not filling the tank? I'm surprised it uses much gas...
Brooks
I have a gas hitachi with a 5.5 honda engine. It idles down but still can use a gallon to two a day if it runs a lot. That could be 6 to 8 hundred bucks a year for someone that uses it everyday. Seems a waste if you can get electricity for free from the jobsite, not to mention the noise. I use it when I have to but otherwise go electric.
Yep it idles down. Doesn't really use a ton of gas... maybe 1 1/2 gallons a day for a normal 9-10 hr day. But if I could be running for free, then why not? That's what I'm thinking anyway. And of course, there's the noise. No a big deal most of the time, but day in and day out it can really wear on you. I think it's bothering me more right now because on my current job, we're running a generator along with the gasser. Now the generator eats up some gas boy.View Image
I know they dont get much respect but I have had good luck with a couple that I got from sears. They dont seem to attract thieves as much either.
Know the feeling. Did a project with a gas compressor. Noisy. Could hardly hear the barking dog next door.
We have run the Emglo wheelbarrow compressor - for years and into the ground.
Good rig. Tough. One summer day the lads managed to feed it with 200' of 12g cord. Wondered why the plug melted off. After a new plug and scolding, it ran on for some years.
Then it had a seizure. We had it "repaired." However blowing oil out with the bleed air at rollup (after repairs) is not a good sign.
The current one is the DeWalt wheelbarrow. It has better features - such as an on/off switch and quarter turn drain taps. They both have dual voltage and a idle/demand system. They both are uttter bitches to move. That "wheelbarrow" sucks. Too small unless you are a dwarf. Far better a hand truck with big tires.
You could mount the compressor on one of those garden wagons, along with all the fittings, tools, a hose rack, etc., have it all in one stop, and roll it in and out.
These things cannot really be run on extension cords.
(OK, 10' of 10g, no mas.) They want to sit on a flat spot at the temp power pole. The Emglo would arc when being plugged in cold and burn off part of the plug. I put on a switch box and solved that problem.
Our temp poles offer a 30A/250V outlet for (in years gone by) the radial arm saw. You can select 240v, adjust the wiring as per booklet and be more efficient.
We just ran 120V. (None of our spider boxes have 240 since some idiot plugged the Rigid table saw into 240.)
The ToolBear
"Never met a man who couldn't teach me something." Anon.