Anybody have a Kobalt 80 gal air compressor

[jamm]

While I was at Lowes today I noticed that they had a Kobalt 80 gallon Model #137603 compressor marked down from $699 to $384. I would generally use it for misc items, but I would like to be able to sandblast rims without any problems. Does anyone have any experience with this model?



Here are the quoted specs:
Great for heavy-duty use - integrated control panel adds convenience
16.1 SCFM @ 40 PSI
14.0 SCFM @ 90 PSI
155 maximum PSI
4.5 HP (stated as "running" HP)
Vertical stationary tank
Hi-Flo, cast-iron, single-stage oil-lubricated pump
Heavy-duty induction motor
Amps: 18.6 - 17.5
Power Supply: Electric
Volts: 208-230
Start/Stop Control: Yes
Tank Capacity: 80 gallons
Lubrication: Oil

 

[timgr]

Not this model, but I have a 60 gal Kobalt that was on sale recently. Look at the bung in the side of the tank for "Powermate." Many (all?) of these Kobalt compressors were made by Coleman-Powermate, which recently went bankrupt. There's nothing wrong with them, but they are being closed out AFAIK.

 

[Benw455]

That is not a bad price.

 

[chad s]

At $384, this is a great deal, if the cfm will work for you. If you need to run highly consumptive tools like die grinders and sanders, it will probably become a frustrating compressor solution, but at under $400, for most auto mechanics work, this is a great deal.

 

[Mugenlude]

This place is the devil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[logical]

I have a 15 inch **** if those specs are accurate.

 

[Mandres]

That's a great deal. Make sure you're set up to handle a large draw on a 220v outlet before you plug it in.

 

[Mugenlude]

I have a 15 inch **** if those specs are accurate.

 

[5wndwcpe]

I have a 15 inch **** if those specs are accurate.

Now that there is funny.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a 15 inch **** if those specs are accurate.

 

[mankiew]

Well we bought 2 of these buggers. I'll report back how they work out. My friend and I figure, if they don't quite cut it...at $400 out the door you can always dump them on craigslist and not lose much, if anything.

Craig

 

[Mugenlude]

Well we bought 2 of these buggers. I'll report back how they work out. My friend and I figure, if they don't quite cut it...at $400 out the door you can always dump them on craigslist and not lose much, if anything.

Craig

I'm that friend.... this place is terrible I tell you!!!! Two air compressors in one week, I need to build a bigger garage!!!!

 

[Major Ramifications]

Logical,
Why don't you believe the specs? They look logical to me.

 

[Gabriel J]

I called 3 of my local lowes and found the one farthest away has one in stock..The employee in the tool dept told me over the phone that it was $699, and not a discounted price...I don't want to make a 70mi drive to find out for some reason in my region it isn't $385...who's got any ideas? -Gabe

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Logical,
Why don't you believe the specs? They look logical to me.

I agree, nothing out of line with the specs. Amps are about right for a 4.5 hp (running) motor, and the CFMs are about right for the HP, looks OK to me.

Charles

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a 15 inch **** if those specs are accurate.

Umm.. Congrats?

 

[logical]

Logical,
Why don't you believe the specs? They look logical to me.

Shouldn't a true 4.5 HP motor draw just over 22 amps?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Well, finally opening up the code book and looking at T430.248...... at 230 volts, FLC for 3 hp is 17 amps, and 5 hp is 28 amps, so yes, the 17+ amps they show for a 4.5 hp motor, running load, is low. Should have cracked open the code book last nite. The numbers in the code book lean to the high or inefficient side, but still, the compressor's specs are somewhat skewed, mostly the hp is high, but why does that surprise us.

Charles

 

[Mugenlude]

I called 3 of my local lowes and found the one farthest away has one in stock..The employee in the tool dept told me over the phone that it was $699, and not a discounted price...I don't want to make a 70mi drive to find out for some reason in my region it isn't $385...who's got any ideas? -Gabe

The price varied at the 3 locations I found it instock... one was $699, one was $583, and then were we got them from was $384. I asked if other stores would price match, but was informed it was up to the store manager, so you could try talking to the manager.

 

[Mugenlude]

BTW - does anyone know of a coupon for Lowe's? We were informed that if we bring a coupon in they would refund that percentage of our money... Trying to find a 10% off coupon (or higher).... =)

 

[Major Ramifications]

Shouldn't a true 4.5 HP motor draw just over 22 amps?

Sorry, I have ignored the HP numbers that they put on compressors for many years. It doesn't matter if the motor could make 1,000,000 horsepower, the air output is what matters.
I meant that the CFM looks right about where it should be given the configuration and current draw.

In case anybody is wondering, that elephant up there has me beat.

 

[mustangmike68]

i bought kobalt 80 gallon 2 years ago ,but mine puts out 17.6 cfm at 175psi. first one i bought was defective from the get go,took it back 2nd one has been great.have been very happy with it. mike

 

[Gabriel J]

The price varied at the 3 locations I found it instock... one was $699, one was $583, and then were we got them from was $384. I asked if other stores would price match, but was informed it was up to the store manager, so you could try talking to the manager.

Thanks for the input...I will call and ask if anything can be done. Since there was only one in stock in my entire area I have a feeling they'll tell me to piss off. I'll call back this week.

 

[nissan_crawler]

BTW - does anyone know of a coupon for Lowe's? We were informed that if we bring a coupon in they would refund that percentage of our money... Trying to find a 10% off coupon (or higher).... =)

Did you try the post office change of address moving packets?

 

[Cummins_Powered]

FWIW The Lowes in West Sacramento has this one on sale. i think it is something like 385.

 

[Mugenlude]

Did you try the post office change of address moving packets?

Could you give me some extra info on this? Are they available at the post office? I was considering purchasing a coupon off ebay if needed, a $10 investment is worth it for 10-20% off a $400 purchase (with tax).

 

[Mugenlude]

I ended up signing up on lowes.com for their 10% off Moving Coupon, and they took it for both of the compressors, so $365 out the door with tax. Here are some pictures I snapped today in my mess of a garage... I need to get the 220v hooked up so I can run these things... As you can see from the label, it's listed as 22 amps (as apposed to the 17 amps which was listed earlier in this thread).


(I'll try to get a better picture... it looked good on the camera when I took it..)



There is my old little Craftsman hiding in the corner...

 

[Stephenw]

Well, finally opening up the code book and looking at T430.248...... at 230 volts, FLC for 3 hp is 17 amps, and 5 hp is 28 amps, so yes, the 17+ amps they show for a 4.5 hp motor, running load, is low. Should have cracked open the code book last nite. The numbers in the code book lean to the high or inefficient side, but still, the compressor's specs are somewhat skewed, mostly the hp is high, but why does that surprise us.

Charles

Here's the formula...


single phase horsepower = E x I x %Eff x PF / 746

E = Voltage
I = Current
%Eff = efficiency rating of the motor
PF = power factor
746 is the number of watts in one horsepower.

My compressor motor for example...

240 volts x 19.5 amps x .825 % efficiency x .98 power factor / 746 watts
= 5.07 horsepower

You could measure voltage and current to find your actual operating horsepower. You could also measure actual power factor if you have a power quality meter.

 

[Gabriel J]

I have officially given up on my quest for the $385 compressor. Big shocker...the two stores that had them in stock in MA claim they "can't match that price because they paid $499 for them"....With that and the cost of a 140+ mi round trip in my gas guzzling truck...It's not worth it. Oh well
everyone who got one, consider yourselves lucky!

 

[arthur1920]

I have officially given up on my quest for the $385 compressor. Big shocker...the two stores that had them in stock in MA claim they "can't match that price because they paid $499 for them"....With that and the cost of a 140+ mi round trip in my gas guzzling truck...It's not worth it. Oh well
everyone who got one, consider yourselves lucky!

according to the computer non of the lowes in RI even have any compressor bigger than 20 gal.

 

[dieterschmied]

Try bidfta.com for a good price if you have one near you. You can also check what others have paid.

 

[Cope]

Try bidfta.com for a good price if you have one near you. You can also check what others have paid.

This is a 9 year old thread. The deals are long gone by now.