Air Compressor set up, need some help

[lpigg]

Hey guys,

I am wanting to put a small air compressor in a closet under the stairs of my detached garage. I will only use to air up the occasional tire, it will not be used for air tools. This might be really dumb, but how do you turn it on with out going to the closet. Do I just run an outlet on a switch or is there another way? As I said, this is probably a really dumb questions.

Thanks

Lewis

 

[vdubnluvn]

only problem with a "outlet switch" is simply killing power to the compressor without letting it release the head pressure will cause strain on the compressor.

so,,, if you always wait for it to fill up and quit running before you hit the switch that will be fine, i assume its a small 110v unit?

or,,, even better,, just make sure you have nice leak free airline and putt a ball valve shutoff on the air supply, when you are done just shut the air off. leave power to it all the time.

 

[lpigg]

My plan was to buy some sort of retracable air hose. Will that work? So if I leave it on all the time will it damage anything or kick on every so often? So with the ball valve, I should run an airling through the wall and then connect it to the ball valve and then connect it to the retracable air hose? Here is not a real good picture of the small compressor that I will be using.

And yes it is a small 110V compressor.

Thanks

 

[Tantara]

I shut mine off with the circuit breaker and a ball valve. If it is easier to get to the circuit breaker use that. Of course it might be simpler to install a switch.


Brad

 

[lpigg]

Well I was thinking switch just because i have easy access to the wall behind the switch. If I have to go in and turn it off and on manually then I might just keep it in a corner somewhere. Any other suggestions? Is it ok to keep it on all the time?

 

[sizzler90]

Well I was thinking switch just because i have easy access to the wall behind the switch. If I have to go in and turn it off and on manually then I might just keep it in a corner somewhere. Any other suggestions? Is it ok to keep it on all the time?

I am by no means qualified to answer this question, but I do have a few random thought on your last question. If you have it sealed real well and it does not leak down with time, I would think it would be ok to leave it on. If it has even the smallest leak you want to turn it off when not in use.
In my house when my little compressor starts up you can hear it through the house, so if it kicks on at 1am the whole house will know it. Also I would not think it is a good idea for any electric motor to run unattened, altough I have been in shops that leave theirs on all the time. Just my random thoughts.

Just reread your first post and see that you have a detached garage (lucky *******). So the sound issue is probably not a priority.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I'd add that since it appears to be an oilless diaphragm unit, I'd sound insulate the poop out of that closet.

 

[Hatman52]

I'd go with the switched outlet. Clean, neat, and no worries about something happening while you're not there. I've done it before and it works very well.

 

[gsport]

only thing i see about leaving it on all the time and in the closet is that you'd be likely to never go in there to drain out moisture (water) in the bottom of the tank from time to time....

 

[lpigg]

How often should I do that anyway? Like I said I just use it to air up the occassional tire.....I have had it for a couple of years and never drained it.

 

[sizzler90]

How often should I do that anyway? Like I said I just use it to air up the occassional tire.....I have had it for a couple of years and never drained it.

It's time!!!

I think in my old manual it said drain after each use. Everytime you turn it on you will get some moisture, not a lot but if you let it set it will eventually eat your tank from the inside out. Now that being said the drain valve in my CH walmart speacial broke about 2 years ago, so mine is probaly not the example you want to use. (at least it broke in the close postion).
I'm on my way after this post to get a replacement drain valve.

And I would also go with the switch for conveniance. Just make sure you don't forget to drain it.