Size of Air Compressor Needed

[The Critic]

I am looking for a portable air compressor that I can bring with me to people's houses when I work on their car.

The only purpose for the compressor would be to inflate tires and to operate an air-powered Mityvac brake bleeder. This is the unit:

http://www.lincolnindustrial.com/Catalogs/_English/downloads/2_MV6830_Flyer.pdf

What kind of specs and capacity should I be looking for, in order to have a compressor that will do what I need?

Thanks.

 

[michaelwoodcock]

Go ahead and get the largest compressor you can buy that'll run a regular wall outlet. An oiled one would be nice since they are sometimes a little quieter and can last longer than oil less. Of course there are some excellent oil less compressors out there, that may be well worth your consideration. I'll put it to you this way, though. My father has an oilless compressor that supplies .5 cfm, and it's louder than my oiled compressor that supplies 12 cfm
This compressor may be just barely adequate for your use:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000063JSY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

But if not I'd get this one:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000063JSY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

P.S.
You might consider a pheonix systems maxiject brake bleeder instead ($230), some of those air operate bleeders consume LOTS of air!!!!

 

[sberry]

Hmm, never considered toting along a power bleeder. If that was the only reason for a comp I think I would skip it, just extra junk that isn't needed most of the time. Main reason I would be wanting a comp would be to run tools.

One of those fluid suckers would be great for anti freeze but they can be hand pump.

 

[TC007]

According to the Lincoln specs on the bleeder you need at least 4.3CFM@90lbs, so a compressor larger than those specs is needed. Watch out for some of those little hand portables, they will not have enough cfm. Do you need a power brake bleeder for mobile work, wouldn't a hand pump bleeder be cheaper and just as good?

http://www.mityvac.com/user_manuals/824381_revB.pdf

Just a thought from a long time mechanic.

 

[The Critic]

^ good point on the hand pump bleeder. I have looked into those, but have been concerned about their performance.

How well do they work compared to a Mityvac extractor with a brake bleeder attachment kit?

 

[taumac]

I have a Porter Cable 6 gal 150 psi unit 2.6 scf at 90psi and Ive used it on jobs. Ive also used it at home when was fixing my big compressor. It worked with my 1/2 impact.

 

[JimDon]

Mac Air 2400. Will run impacts and air ratchets and any nail guns you need.
I have one. It is awesome.
Jim

 

[TC007]

^ good point on the hand pump bleeder. I have looked into those, but have been concerned about their performance.

How well do they work compared to a Mityvac extractor with a brake bleeder attachment kit?

Sorry been busy lately. I have an older one which I find works well. You do have to do some checking on brake fluid levels and topping up when using but works fine for me. The air bleeders are bit more lets say automatic and faster, so if time is imperative with you then stay with the power bleeder.

 

[Chris.Santamarina]

I am looking for a portable air compressor that I can bring with me to people's houses when I work on their car.

The only purpose for the compressor would be to inflate tires and to operate an air-powered Mityvac brake bleeder. This is the unit:

http://www.lincolnindustrial.com/Catalogs/_English/downloads/2_MV6830_Flyer.pdf

What kind of specs and capacity should I be looking for, in order to have a compressor that will do what I need?

Thanks.

General rule of thumb with compressors is that they produce about 4 cfm per horsepower. A 5 hp compressor will give you about 20 cfm at 100psi. Now that being said, the amount of storage (receiver tank) size will determine how often the compressor will restart to make up the air you have used. A common differential for a reciprocating compressor is 35-40 psi. So a unit that makes 150 psi will turn off at 150psi and come back on at around 110-115. The hp will determine how fast it makes up the air, but the tank size will determine how much of that air you can use before you restart the unit. The larger the storage the better. 60-80 gallons is ideal, but that becomes heavy. 40 gallon would be easier to manage getting it around.

Chris