240v 2hp Kobalt Air Compressor Wiring Question

[Nch209]

Hello,

Long time member, but not a electrical pro, so any answer would be wonderful.

Issue- Proper Wiring for air compressor.
Unit- Kobalt 2hp/ 30 gallon 2 stage air compressor. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-KOB...e-Electric-Vertical-Air-Compressor/1000528965
...from the reviews people are using a nema 6-15 plug... unsure of wiring.
Current Wiring- Without looking, pretty sure its 30amp breaker on 10/2 wire with NEMA 6-30r plug. Garage is finished/drywalled and painted, and pulling new wire is not an option, and not running on outside of wall in conduit.

My question is, as dumb as it may sound--- burn me for asking, lol.... is, what happens (theoretically) if I ran above compressor on the 30amp circuit with a 6-30r plug. My run is about 55 feet from breaker box.

The reason I ask is because I would ideally like to put compressor on my second floor as I am already- 1. Wired for it (use a space heater up there in winter with that plug setup---- but would use same outlet for compressor--- not both at same time, and have air lines up there dropping throughout the bottom level. Would like just a small compressor out of the way-- out of sight and much quieter...

Any way to make the above work compressor work on a 30amp 10/2 wire setup or am I asking for trouble.

(These units can run off of 110 as well, but seems like guys are kicking breakers and say 220 is the better setup.)

Hope this makes sense, and someone can help me out some. Sorry, no name plate info from motor as I am trying to figure this out before I purchase.

Thanks Much!
nch209

 

[Nch209]

A hunch to my own question... my current 30amp breaker/wiring setup is way too much for the size of the motor... per kobalt "Voltage 120 Volts* / 15 Amps
240 Volts / 7.5 Amps
* Factory wiring "

I assume this is a no go?

 

[bjcouche]

As long as the compressor has internal thermal overload protection, which it likely does if it's configurable for 120V.... You should be fine wiring a 6-30 plug onto that compressor. The breaker will protect the wire and the motor thermal overload will protect the overload... There might be a code issue though with using a 2hp motor on that type of plug... Many types of common non industrial plugs aren't UL listed for "motor" loads. Maybe some others will chime in on this...
Brian

 

[Nch209]

Gotcha. My other option is to just run it on 110 and see how that goes. Thanks for your insight Brian. I gotta ponder over this a bit more, lol. Thnaks

 

[mm08822]

Since you don't want to add wiring across your finished garage, stick with the 240v config. At the compressor, I would use 12-3 cordage minimum, 10-3 preferred and call it done.

Many (if not all?) Nema 6-30 plugs and recepts are rated for 2 hp.
Confirm the specs for your specific recept. A common Leviton 5372 is 2 hp rated.

A 240v configuration is the least likely to trip based on the available headroom of the otherwise unused circuit. A general purpose 120v circuit may have other loads connected that greatly reduce the circuit headroom and get you closer to tripping cb.

 

[Nch209]

Since you don't want to add wiring across your finished garage, stick with the 240v config. At the compressor, I would use 12-3 cordage minimum, 10-3 preferred and call it done.

Many (if not all?) Nema 6-30 plugs and recepts are rated for 2 hp.
Confirm the specs for your specific recept. A common Leviton 5372 is 2 hp rated.

A 240v configuration is the least likely to trip based on the available headroom of the otherwise unused circuit. A general purpose 120v circuit may have other loads connected that greatly reduce the circuit headroom and get you closer to tripping cb.

I think I'm following. I'm currently on #10 wire on a 30amp breaker, and the 5372 is what I would like to run.... keeps my space heater able to be used as needed in the winter. You are saying from the motor to the 5372 make sure it's 10 wire and call it good.

I just see user reviews of the compressor using much lower wire/breaker specs, but guess I am relying on the protection on the motor to keep issues at ba on that end- as the above posted wrote. . (In other words, I was asking if running a smaller motor than what a 10 wire 30 amp breaker would be used for would be asking for trouble, as they say the motor is only pulling 15amps.)

Perhaps I am making this more difficult than need be since I don't know much about elect-trocity, (AvE pun there), but I don't want to burn the place down!

Thanks much!

 

[Nch209]

Mm08822

So if I have this right, I'd be a 30amp breaker, to a run of 50+ feet of #10 wire, to 5372r, to a 10/3 cord like this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079ZR2K8F/?tag=atomicindus08-20) and not use the cord that comes with it, and wire it into the above state of the fart, art, kobalt 30 gallon compressor?

 

[sberry]

How big is the cord comes with it? Second, nothing says the breaker can't be changed but. if the cord is 14 or better and it has its own thermal it can go on 30.

 

[pattenp]

I've seen that compressor and checked it out when I was thinking of getting it. I don't remember the motor having overload protection (no red reset button). The manual makes no reference of the motor having overload protection. Also that unit comes wired 120V with a 15A cord and plug. I would run it only on a 20A circuit, either 120V or 240V.

 

[strutaeng]

5.3 CFM @ 90 psi?

That's more consistent with a 1 1/2 HP compressor. The motor should be the same as the other "2 HP" Kobalt/Husky/CH, which I 'm sure it can run on a 20A 120V circuit. I think the motor is around 15A.

I've got an old Emglo with a 2 HP GE motor on 120V. The nameplate states 19A and it runs fine on 20A circuit. CFM on this compressor is 8.something CFM @ 100 psi.

If you run on 220V, just a double pole 15A breaker is all it would need.

 

[mm08822]

How big is the cord comes with it? Second, nothing says the breaker can't be changed but. if the cord is 14 or better and it has its own thermal it can go on 30.

Op has a heater he will use in winter. Probably downsizing the cb will conflict with the heater. I assume that was the need for the 30a ckt?

If it came corded, I don't see how it could not have o/l protection.

 

[mm08822]

Gotcha. My other option is to just run it on 110 and see how that goes. Thanks for your insight Brian. I gotta ponder over this a bit more, lol. Thnaks

That is the easiest. See if it really is a problem before making it one. You can always change it to go on the 240v ckt later.

All depends on what else is running simultaneously on that ckt. How often do you plan on using it?

 

[mm08822]

I think I'm following. I'm currently on #10 wire on a 30amp breaker, and the 5372 is what I would like to run.... keeps my space heater able to be used as needed in the winter. You are saying from the motor to the 5372 make sure it's 10 wire and call it good.

Yes, but you may have problems terminating 10-3 cord in the PS and motor. Check first. 12-3 might be easier, except you will have to add the plug (6-30p) to the cord.

I just see user reviews of the compressor using much lower wire/breaker specs, but guess I am relying on the protection on the motor to keep issues at ba on that end- as the above posted wrote. . (In other words, I was asking if running a smaller motor than what a 10 wire 30 amp breaker would be used for would be asking for trouble, as they say the motor is only pulling 15amps.)
The motor only needs a 20a ckt. Not 100% correct to be plugging it into a 30a ckt, but I've done that for 30+ years. Only once did my comp give me trouble and the motor o/l took it out. I wasn't about to run a 20a ckt next to a 30a ckt that both would be infrequently used.

Perhaps I am making this more difficult than need be since I don't know much about elect-trocity, (AvE pun there), but I don't want to burn the place down!

Thanks much!

.....

 

[Nch209]

.....

Thnaks for all advice. Currently decent whether to move forward with this, or bite the bullet and go with a bigger unit on its own circuit and place it outside. I'm leaning towards the small, but need to sleep on it. Thnaks for all the advice!!!

 

[strutaeng]

Thnaks for all advice. Currently decent whether to move forward with this, or bite the bullet and go with a bigger unit on its own circuit and place it outside. I'm leaning towards the small, but need to sleep on it. Thnaks for all the advice!!!

I would advice to get this instead:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-60-Gal-Stationary-Electric-Air-Compressor-C602H/205389936

It will give you TWICE the CFM with about the same footprint, just stationary, for only $50 more! This will easily run just about anything that's not heavy media blasting. For light auto work this about bare minimum. You can easily paint an entire car with it.

A little pad, shed roof, and dedicated circuit and away you go. No lost floor space.

5 CFM is just not enough for some tasks.

 

[Nch209]

Well thanks for all the info folks. I actually learned a lot. That said, I sat down and thought about my needs/wants/expectations, and ended up getting the kobalt gem from lowes. Went and looked it over, and while not top notch, it's not garbage either. Salesman said to try it, and to return it if not happy. That's what I did, and just ran it on a 110 20amp breaker, and can go down the 220 path later if I choose.

So many tools are battery now, and I just need some air at the bench and for random stuff. While a bigger unit outside wouldn't be too much more cash, this is plug and play and should fit my needs ok. Outside and bigger would make total sense in a real shop setting, but for me just tooling around the shop as a hobby, I think this will be ok. Typically I go overboard, but happy I showed restraint this time. Thanks again for all of the constructive posts!

 

[SGKent]

Usually compressors that are 120/240 have instructions on how to make the change, and the specs on what they want done. Both my craftsman compressors are made by Devilbiss / Porter Cable and they not only have these specs but they sell an inexpensive wire kit to convert it from 120 to 240. The UL approved kits I got had molded plugs and the proper gauge wire, even the correct lengths too for the strain relief etc.. The kit numbers are in the instructions but you can Google it and perhaps find one. This simplifies the process.

 

[sberry]

What size wire and plug did the kit come with? Probably 14/20.

 

[SGKent]

What size wire and plug did the kit come with? Probably 14/20.

one is labeled 14/3 & with the jacket it is somewhere around 1/2" in round diameter, and 5 or 6 feet long. I kept the original 120V cables in case I ever go to sell one of them to someone who wants 120V. There were some wires in the motor that had to be switched too to go from 120V to 240V. There are lots of places that sell them - this is one quick example only/ https://tricitytoolparts.com/produc...wer-cord-oem-air-compressor-campbell-hausfeld Your owner's manual may list a kit number for your specific compressor.