To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

120v to 240 switch for air compressor?

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

whateg01

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
11,430
Location
doo dah, kansas, usa

I believe this is the manual for it but I'm not sure if there have been some minor differences made since the v1
Ahhh I missed the 14 amp part, I thought CFM rating was legit. Dang!
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Thanks for saving me lol! I thought it was a bargain at $500 ... can't thank you enough for your advice!
Probably should stop looking for used, and just buy a new one for $1500 and be done with it.
 

whateg01

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
11,430
Location
doo dah, kansas, usa
Thanks for saving me lol! I thought it was a bargain at $500 ... can't thank you enough for your advice!
Probably should stop looking for used, and just buy a new one for $1500 and be done with it.
I don't know about up yonder, but decent buys can be found here. With the upcoming recession, I expect there should be a bunch of nearly new tools on fbmp for pennies
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
USA used market is so so different from Canada for absolutely everything. I don't know why.
I remember I was trying to build a work bench and wanted to buy some used discarded office furniture, and people were selling it for top dollar.
USA counterparts were offered money to haul the old furniture away!
 

u3b3rg33k

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 18, 2017
Messages
4,048
It's 5.5 peak hp. Manual I found says 15A @ 240 and 7.5A @ 120
Those peak numbers are often LRA *nameplate voltage, which may be peak power draw (wattage) but it sure isn’t horsepower. 0 rpm = no horsepower.
 

johnre

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
1,056
Location
Portland, OR
Manual I found says 15A @ 240 and 7.5A @ 120
It probably said 7.5A @ 240 V and 15 A @120 V. Either way, I agree with Cobbler; at best it's 1.5 HP.

And what's with the units of air delivery? There's no way to get 10.3 SCFM @ 90 PSI from a 120 V line.

But if you bought it, it's yours. Do have a look for rust inside the tank with a borescope if you have one; if that looks good, the owner at least kept it drained, which is a good thing.
 
Last edited:
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Ok this one seem to be pretty legit in terms of hp and cfm. But the tank is from 1980 lol? And I wonder how old the motor is?
With these specs, it's basically half price of a comparable brand new one.
Not sure if it's priced fairly and has enough life in it?
Screenshot_20231117_081419.jpgScreenshot_20231117_081358.jpgScreenshot_20231117_081325.jpgScreenshot_20231117_081301.jpg
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Honestly 10cfm is all I really need.
What does the belt guard do, just protects you if it snaps?
I can test it before buying, not sure if any price would be fair, maybe $500 CAD(300 USD).
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,847
Location
Richmond, VA
Honestly 10cfm is all I really need.
What does the belt guard do, just protects you if it snaps?
I can test it before buying, not sure if any price would be fair, maybe $500 CAD(300 USD).
The belt guard protects fingers from becoming independent of your hands or clothing from getting entangled. Any kids around?
 

gregf83

New member
Joined
Apr 3, 2021
Messages
3
Location
Attached
Ok this one seem to be pretty legit in terms of hp and cfm. But the tank is from 1980 lol? And I wonder how old the motor is?
With these specs, it's basically half price of a comparable brand new one.
Not sure if it's priced fairly and has enough life in it?
Screenshot_20231117_081419.jpgScreenshot_20231117_081358.jpgScreenshot_20231117_081325.jpgScreenshot_20231117_081301.jpg
Not sure where you're located but I found a Quincy 325 compressor for $500 around Vancouver. It weighs too much (motor alone weighs 160 lbs) to carry into a basement but if you're patient I think you can find better deals.
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Yes I got a 10 year old, not sure if I can install some kind of guard or just put it toward the wall so that the belt is away from everything else.

There's definitely better deals that pop around sometimes, like this 30cfm compressor for $500


but 60 and 80 gallons are just too big for me to move around by myself. I'd have to hire a moving company, which would negate all the savings lol
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,847
Location
Richmond, VA
Yes I got a 10 year old, not sure if I can install some kind of guard or just put it toward the wall so that the belt is away from everything else.

There's definitely better deals that pop around sometimes, like this 30cfm compressor for $500


but 60 and 80 gallons are just too big for me to move around by myself. I'd have to hire a moving company, which would negate all the savings lol
30scfm must be a 10hp motor, which is not portable at all, forgetting even the tank size, and too large for many residential electrical services
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Yeah I think 20-30 gallon with 10 cfm on wheels is the sweet spot. I don't think portable 240v compressors get any better than that? Anything bigger cannot be moved by one person and transported in an SUV.
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,847
Location
Richmond, VA
Yeah I think 20-30 gallon with 10 cfm on wheels is the sweet spot. I don't think portable 240v compressors get any better than that? Anything bigger cannot be moved by one person and transported in an SUV.
In a vehicle? What's the portability need here? Are you doing this blasting on the road or do you just need a portable compressor for other uses? Could it make sense to have two compressors instead?
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
It's just so I can move it around if needed, but even moreso to bring it home in the first place😃
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
We're taklking about 60 gallon ones?
I thought they needed to be transported straight. Even if I was able to transport it, it would be too heavy to bring it in the basement through the stairs. I would need to hire someone. Living outside of a major city makes everything more complicated, renting a trailer, hiring movers...
If ever I wanted to bring it up from the basement to the garage, I wouldn't be able to do it alone.
 

rlitman

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 18, 2010
Messages
24,650
Location
Long Island
Yes I got a 10 year old, not sure if I can install some kind of guard or just put it toward the wall so that the belt is away from everything else.

There's definitely better deals that pop around sometimes, like this 30cfm compressor for $500


but 60 and 80 gallons are just too big for me to move around by myself. I'd have to hire a moving company, which would negate all the savings lol
I bought my 80 gallon compressor from a body shop that had single phase in a barn out back. I took the pump and motor off the frame (so I never had the pump laying down), and my father and I put everything into his Subaru Outback. All together it's impossible to move on your own, but with my Harbor Freight hoist I managed to get everything up into my garage loft and put everything back together all by myself. I did have a dicey Dr. Strangelove moment when the hoist jammed on the way back down with the tank still about 4" off the loft floor, but I still wouldn't have something smaller.

The lack of belt guard on that frankenstein machine is because someone had a motor from something, and a pump from something else, and a tank from yet another thing, and figured he could slap them together. That's bad enough, but frankly that ancient tank really scares me. At least its ASME rated (most tanks this size are not), but still, who knows what's going on inside. And while I see a pressure switch, I don't see (could just be too blurry) a safety valve. So this very well could be a bomb.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,847
Location
Richmond, VA
We're taklking about 60 gallon ones?
I thought they needed to be transported straight. Even if I was able to transport it, it would be too heavy to bring it in the basement through the stairs. I would need to hire someone. Living outside of a major city makes everything more complicated, renting a trailer, hiring movers...
If ever I wanted to bring it up from the basement to the garage, I wouldn't be able to do it alone.
They can be tipped over, just drain the oil first if you can.

Pull the pump and motor and move it in three pieces. For temporary needs in the garage, a longer hose or a smaller pancake might do it?

Just trying to think outside the box
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Those are great ideas, didn't realize those compressors could be partially taken apart. But then again, I don't really need 60 gallon, and even the tank alone, I won't be able to carry it in the basement. Not sure if I could even squeeze it into VW tiguan.
Nor are their many screaming deals for 60 gallon either, but definitely more choice than portable 10 cfm.

The compressor I'm looking at, it has a drain valve and safety valve (asked the seller), and I can bring a borescope to check the inside. Should it be shiny clean, or surface rust is ok? No clue what they should look like inside😀
 

The Cobbler

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Messages
25,962
Location
Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
I am no means a safety Nazi , but, I would NOT run a compressor (other than for testing)without a belt guard. it's too easy to be near there, drop something , or whatever, the compressor starts unexpectedly and you lose a finger or clothes get caught or whatever. its just too unsafe and asking for an accident. even a family pet or child could get seriously injured.How would you feel then?
also for a 5hp motor you should use a motor starter switch , which I don't see on there, so likley the pressure switch is on it's way out from being overloaded
the tank won't be shiny inside. it will be rusty on the bottom . they don't look pretty when they're old & used .
 

whateg01

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
11,430
Location
doo dah, kansas, usa
I am no means a safety Nazi , but, I would NOT run a compressor (other than for testing)without a belt guard. it's too easy to be near there, drop something , or whatever, the compressor starts unexpectedly and you lose a finger or clothes get caught or whatever. its just too unsafe and asking for an accident. even a family pet or child could get seriously injured.How would you feel then?
also for a 5hp motor you should use a motor starter switch , which I don't see on there, so likley the pressure switch is on it's way out from being overloaded
the tank won't be shiny inside. it will be rusty on the bottom . they don't look pretty when they're old & used .
Consider the topic. Most 60 gal 5 hp compressors are not 5 hp motors.
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Yes, princess auto doesn't have any portable 10cfm compressors.
I found one more lol, looks like it's a predecessor to the one I posted.
I dont get it, the motor says 230v, and the plug is 115v.
What gives?
 

Attachments

  • Screenshot_20231121_091241_Facebook.jpg
    Screenshot_20231121_091241_Facebook.jpg
    138.6 KB · Views: 10
  • received_1474440983351232.jpeg
    received_1474440983351232.jpeg
    154.5 KB · Views: 10

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,847
Location
Richmond, VA
Yes, princess auto doesn't have any portable 10cfm compressors.
I found one more lol, looks like it's a predecessor to the one I posted.
I dont get it, the motor says 230v, and the plug is 115v.
What gives?
People do goofy **** all the time, especially with electrical. Since it's a replaced plug, it tells me someone was messing with it. If you go to test it, bring a multimeter to make sure the receptacle is 240v, then swap the plug at home, if you are OK with a 240v comp.
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
The plug is 115v and the receptacle is the same as well.
So they must've replaced the cord?
Cuz they're running it out of 110v outlet.
The seller is apparently a son of a father, whose friend gave them the compressor.
He said the compressor is plugged into a power bar lol!
But I'm surprised it's even possible since the motor only says 230v, doesn't say 110/220v or anything. So I thought it would only work on 220/240 circuit, none of that 110/120 volts.
I'm just wondering if they replaced anything else other than the cord lol.
It'd be great if I could just replace the cord and run it from 240 outlet with 8 CFM @90 psi
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
Haha was on my way to check it out, and he contacted his father, who just told him there's a "small problem" with it but did not elaborate and too busy at the moment. Now he told me not to come until he figures it out🤣
Jeez this "used" market is so brutal.

How would I test it with the multimeter?
What would I test?
 

mike93lx

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Messages
37,847
Location
Richmond, VA
Test the receptacle for voltage.

You can easily run 240v into a 120v receptacle, but maybe they have it plugged into 120 and it's running half speed, which will burn it up.

Sounds like a mess. I'd only consider it for a really good deal
 
OP
B

Bmw4life

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 17, 2020
Messages
207
Location
Canada
He definitely has it plugged into 110v.
Looks like a scammer anyways. Fml lol
Told me to come and when I started questioning the 115v plug vs 230v motor, we find out more things :)
Screenshot_20231121_104444_Messages.jpg
 

whateg01

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2006
Messages
11,430
Location
doo dah, kansas, usa
Not sure how that translates to scammer, but if I needed a compressor and the price was right, I would be all about negotiating down based on the problems and the unknowns. But I also can troubleshoot it and even figure out what's what when I got there.
 

N_Jay

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 1, 2016
Messages
1,175
Narrow spaced wire shelving makes a good start on belt guards.

 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom