Replies

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 18, 2007 03:47am | #1

   Sounds like your power source isn't up to speed.  What size cord are you using to supply the compressor and how long?  Where does the electricity orginate?  Temporary box, permanent hook up or generator?

1. 
   JackHine | Sep 18, 2007 03:58am | #2

   HVC, Currently we've been running the compressor on a 12 AWG 50 ft extension off existing power. The end of the day forced us to plug in direct to the outlet but we didn't run long enough to know if it made a difference. Will this compressor handle two guns even if we plug in closer to the source?

1. 
   mike_maines | Sep 18, 2007 04:02am | #3

   Compressors should always be plugged in as close to the power source as possible.  They are huge energy hogs.  Buy some extra hoses and a splitter.  Run one hose out to a central location and attach the splitter.  There is very little pressure loss running an extra 50' or 100' of hose.

   Plugging in to a 20amp circuit is good if you can.

2. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 18, 2007 02:48pm | #6

   HVC, Currently we've been running the compressor on a 12 AWG 50 ft extension off existing power.

   That should be OK if the line voltage is full a the breaker.  I'd try plugging directly into the nearest outlet to the breaker panel and see how that effects compressor operation.  Someone else suggested adding extra air hose.  I agree that's the preferred way to extend the operating length of the compressor.

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 18, 2007 07:18pm | #7

   I think the motor is worn out...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 18, 2007 07:49pm | #8

   I think the motor is worn out...

   Me too.  That's why I suggested he try it plugged into a short run outlet near the panel.  If it still overheats, it's definitely beat.

    

2. 
   IMERC | Sep 18, 2007 07:55pm | #9

   ya know.. the belt could be too tight...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

3. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 18, 2007 07:59pm | #10

   ya know.. the belt could be too tight...

   How do you tell? I haven't seen my belt in fifteen-twenty years.

4. 
   IMERC | Sep 18, 2007 08:05pm | #11

   legs going to sleep...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

5. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 18, 2007 08:10pm | #12

   LOL. Good, I'm still OK then.  I can reach the keyboard and my feet ain't numb yet.

   (Not that I want to dwell on my profile, when passing a reflective surface.)

   Edited 9/18/2007 1:11 pm ET by Hudson Valley Carpenter

6. 
   JackHine | Sep 19, 2007 02:46am | #16

   HVC, If today holds true we are out of the woods. I bought three 50ft. 1/4" Flex hoses to give us 100' of run on each gun and plugged in direct to the receptacle and not one shutdown all day. My next question would be to the manufacturer, why they don't provide longer heavier gauge cable for their compressors? Thanks for the advice!

7. 
   IMERC | Sep 19, 2007 02:50am | #17

   those heavier cords wold show up on the bottom line as a negative... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

8. 
   seeyou | Sep 19, 2007 04:16am | #18

   My next question would be to the manufacturer, why they don't provide longer heavier gauge cable for their compressors?

   They have provided the proper size cable. If you read the manual, more than likely it would tell you to plug it into the socket rather than running cord. We often run two roofing guns off of a smaller compressor than yours, and we use larger compressors for more guns, but we've learned to plug them into the source, no mater the size. http://grantlogan.net/

    

   I was born in a crossfire hurricane..........shooby dooby do

9. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Sep 19, 2007 05:15am | #22

   I'm glad that your compressor is doing the job now.  I'd bet that quite a few others have learned something from your questions and your willingness to try a different solution.

    

10. 
    grpphoto | Sep 19, 2007 04:34am | #19

    > Not that I want to dwell on my profile, ....Me, I'm in great shape! (Well, round is a shape, isn't it?).George Patterson

2. 
   IMERC | Sep 18, 2007 04:03am | #4

   let's look at the motor...

   how old is it???

   what's it model #???

   what is the service factor...

   is it really 1,8HP???

   is dual voltage???

   Good chance that's the problem...

   2 guns will keep it busy...

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

   WOW!!! What a Ride!
   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

3. 
   [email protected] | Sep 18, 2007 04:24am | #5

   First be sure the motor is actually getting the voltage it needs.  Low voltage will cause a motor to overheat.  Overly long, or undersized extension cords are the first place I would look. 

4. 
   frenchy | Sep 18, 2007 08:20pm | #13

   JackHine,

     I use 10 guage cords anytime I'm running serious equipment..

     My little 1/2 horse power made in China Compressor that's well over two decades old will easily run any nail gun I have and with roofing it's relatively easy to run two..  Now that's not two guns going rattity-tat-tat that's two real world guns.  You stop and pause periodically to reach for more shingles.  You cut and adjust them etc..  If you want to run two a 1/2 hp is enough provided you have a decent sized tank..

     Grab a spare tank and plumb it into the line.. the compressor will fill up both and the various pauses etc. will allow the compressor to keep up.

    I make spare tanks from old freon tanks and other discardable pressure vessals. simply unscrew the head and put an adapter into it. 

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 18, 2007 08:36pm | #14

   half hp compressor isn't serious..

   and I hope the OP doesn't take ya serious on the freon tank...

   but the real icing was the statement on the compressor...

   geeeze frenchy...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   frenchy | Sep 18, 2007 09:01pm | #15

   IMERC

     It's a fact.. I'm not suggesting that people go out and buy 2 decade old chineese compressors so I have nothing to gain from it.. But what worries you about reusing freon tanks?    The one I have is probably three decades old.  I first made the conversion into a compressed air tank  when I was racing a lot.. They sold little adapters that screwed into the threads of the freon tank and had a air hose, pressure guage, and  filler valve..

     That same tank is my currant spare..  yearly I unscrew the adapter to  look in and ensure there isn't any rust in the tank to weaken it. and so far it's in fine shape..

    As for my little compressor,, I often double it up with my big shop compressor when I'm doing tasks suck as sandblasting that my big compressor doesn't have enough air for..I have a double ended female coupler that  I hook into and that little compressor sits there hammering away for hour after hour.. once in a while I even remember to drain the tank

     I paid $50 for the compressor  (new in a box)  at a race car swap meet, think I paid too much? 

   Edited 9/18/2007 2:06 pm ET by frenchy

2. 
   grpphoto | Sep 19, 2007 04:35am | #20

   What's wrong with using old freon tanks as air tanks?George Patterson

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 19, 2007 04:43am | #21

   there was a super heated thread here some time back on that subject...

   bottom line is that it could be very dangerous...

   why leave yurself open to more problems than what already show up... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!