Having the new house wired up. I'm trying to figure out if I'm good with my current 30gal 120v compressor or going with a 240v 60 gal beast. 70% of my use is a using a blow gun and tire chuck. The other 30% is using a 3/8" air ratchet, air chisel and IR231 impact. Think I'm good with what I have or should I upgrade?
120 or 240v compressor?
- Thread starter monster1
- Start date
never hurts to have a larger than needed service for tools. run the wire for a larger compressor now. it wont cost that much more to do it.
it allows you to upgrade if you decide you need to .
it allows you to upgrade if you decide you need to .
You tell us.
There are sizes in between, and also larger. I have a 20 gal, 240v portable. It is rated about 10cfm@90psi.
I would ensure I had extra capacity in the panel closest to where it will run, and not bother running a circuit until I finally got the bigger machine.
There are sizes in between, and also larger. I have a 20 gal, 240v portable. It is rated about 10cfm@90psi.
I would ensure I had extra capacity in the panel closest to where it will run, and not bother running a circuit until I finally got the bigger machine.
The OP’s current uses do not require more compressor. However, if he may in the future want to do more then he should upgrade the wiring and buy a 60 to 80 gallon 3 or 5 horsepower 240V compressor. More might be tools that require more than 5 CFM at 90 psi, particularly if he wants to run them more than for a few minutes.
jonesg
Well-known member
those are intermittent tools, no need to go bigger.
jonesg
Well-known member
might need 3 phase if you hold the impact trigger more than 5 seconds.
Monza Harry
Well-known member
If you are running a new wire now, then go bigger. The install costs can be upto many times the material costs. What is the amp requirements of your current compressor? Up size your wire one size [ie; 14g to 12g] but go to **-3 wire [3 conductors plus a ground] with a split breaker. Don't hook up (and cap-off) the unused wires this allows a significant upgrade in compressor with only a couple of wires being moved around at that time. A 12-3 along with a twenty amp breaker [consider a slow blow breaker] will allow a real 3HP [5A@240V] compressor which will be plenty for most home shops, covering moderate air tool use and even some very light sand blasting (Very Light!) Tank size isn't hugely defining in compressors, there is a plce for a huge tank on a small compressor but it doesn't normally show up in a home shop! Harry
Leaflessshadetree
Well-known member
Your 30 gallon 120V can be plugged in almost anywhere, no special wiring required, and it meats your current needs. Since you refer to 60 gallon as a beast I assume you have no real plans but expect you may get a larger compressor in the future. Larger compressors are (supposed to be) hard wired in (not a plug in cord).
Do you have a space planned for a larger compressor? Ever think about getting a welder?
For now I would suggest you install a sub panel near where you may want to have a large compressor in the future. It will be easier to add wiring later, when you know what you will need.
Do you have a space planned for a larger compressor? Ever think about getting a welder?
For now I would suggest you install a sub panel near where you may want to have a large compressor in the future. It will be easier to add wiring later, when you know what you will need.
finn
Well-known member
You will want at least one 240 circuit for a car charger. I would put a 100 amp or larger sub panel in the garage now.
Viper98912
Well-known member
This one's easy. Run both.
You probably have a spot picked out (a corner or something) for the future compressor. Run both a 120V circuit (20A?) and a 240V circuit (30A? 50A?) to that corner and place them near each other. Gives you the most flexibility and the least amount of hassle for the future. Both are there ready to go.
You probably have a spot picked out (a corner or something) for the future compressor. Run both a 120V circuit (20A?) and a 240V circuit (30A? 50A?) to that corner and place them near each other. Gives you the most flexibility and the least amount of hassle for the future. Both are there ready to go.
Huckster59
Member
I just installed new craftsman 60 gallon. 220 20 amp. Pumps to 175psi. Can’t go wrong
Huckster59
Member
The new craftsman is rated a 17 amps
RegeSullivan
Well-known member
Cover all your bases. Put in a sub panel so you cane more easily accommodate your future electrical needs. A few hundred now could save you thousands in retrofitting. At a minimum go 60 amp, 100 amp would be better.
I would wire a compressor circuit for 240 volts and 25 to 30 amps so you can run a true 5 hp compressor if you ever need one. If the garage/shop is going to have finished walls, this will save a ton of hassle and money over moving everything and opening walls to run a new circuit later. A subpanel isn't a bad idea either.
30A is not enough for a code compliant single phase 5 HP compressor installation, needs a minimum of 35A.
I stand corrected. Didn't bother to look it up.
rancherbill
Well-known member
You don't need a bigger compressor.
If you are really concerned, wire the receptacle with 10/3 wire and split the plug instead of a normal 14/2 receptacle. Initially you will have 20a circuits and if you want at a later date install a 240 receptacle.
If you are really concerned, wire the receptacle with 10/3 wire and split the plug instead of a normal 14/2 receptacle. Initially you will have 20a circuits and if you want at a later date install a 240 receptacle.
Spareparts
Well-known member
Your in the planning stages now, go ahead and run larger wires and maybe 1 extra run to a separate box for maybe a welder in the future
right now is the optimum time to plan for the future. The wire run into a box with a cover isn't going to wear out and sure will be handy
if you need it in the future.
right now is the optimum time to plan for the future. The wire run into a box with a cover isn't going to wear out and sure will be handy
if you need it in the future.
budo55
Well-known member
I made the mistake of having the builder put in a 220v circuit in my garage. I didn't specify the amps and found out it's only 20 Amp. When I upgraded my 20 gal noisy airless Crafstman compressor to a 30 gal Porter Cable upright oil compressor on wheels, it kept blowing the 110v breaker. Luckily the motor allowed changes to run off of 220. It pulled 15 amps on startup on on 110v, but only 7 amps at 220. Glad I had that 220v plug put in. When I started welding, that 220v 20 Amp plug wouldn't run my welder so I had to pay an electrician to install a 220v 50 Amp plug. Go bigger; if you don't, you'll find that you wished you would have!
micromind
Well-known member
As noted above, a 60 or 100 amp sub panel in the garage will solve just about any need you might have, now and in the future.
This includes an EV charger.
This includes an EV charger.
Like a few others mentioned, I believe planning for the future is the cheapest route.
You're wiring a new home, talk to the electrician and advise him what you would like to have.
Spec out a sub panel with about 12 space/24 circuit that is a match to the main box in the house. You can feed it from a 60-90A breaker and be good for a long time.
FWIW, having plenty of breakers in the sub panel will allow you have several things on their own circuit but you will still be restricted to what is feeding the sub panel.
Yes, overkill.
If you're in the market for a compressor, remember the noise! Typically bigger compressors = more noise. You can get a smaller 20 gallon with low noise i.e California Air and those like it. If it meets most of your needs its a winner. That said, cant hurt to have some 240v in the garage regardless of what you choose.
Mike65
Well-known member
I have a 60-gallon 240V compressor since I have all air tools from when I was a mechanic. I have the same plug on the compressor wire as my welder has, so if I need to use the welder, I just unplug the compressor & plug in the welder. That way I only need one outlet.
dave*99
Well-known member
I have a full complement of air tools. They are slowly being replaced with battery powered tools. My 30 gallon 3 HP air compressor sees less and less use. Even the tire chuck gets little use now that I have a Milwaukee M18 inflator.
I sold my welder and I don't sand blast, or do body work etc.
As for a sizable subpanel.... yup you need that for sure. My panel is right between my lift and air compressor, all on 240V.
I sold my welder and I don't sand blast, or do body work etc.
As for a sizable subpanel.... yup you need that for sure. My panel is right between my lift and air compressor, all on 240V.