2 stage air compressor

[ezover]

my BIL gave me the husky 5hp AC from his shop, but the pump is bad and is not worth a rebuild. any source out there to find a 2 stage 5hp ac pump at a fair (um cheap lol) price? all the ones I am finding are 500+. add in shipping and I can not justify the cost, if the electric motor were to go out, I would have spent enough to buy a new unit.

 

[bad_idea]

A 5 hp husky air compressor is not a 5 hp unit. That is more than likely a PEAK horsepower rating. Meaning it won't actually turn a real pump that requires 5 hp. What is the cfm of the husky model? That will give you an idea of the true hp of the motor you have. Harbor Freight sells compressor pumps.

Me, I would look on craigslist for a compressor with a shot motor.

 

[RECox286]

As long as the motor is OK look at Harbor Freight's

replacement compressors. If your motor won't drive

it, try a smaller pulley on your motor. Probably will

last as long as you want it to, if you don't push it !

Uncle Bob

 

[Milton Shaw]

Most two stage systems are run at 175 psi. That reduces the CFM by about half as it compresses the same air twice (two stage) and if you were replacing a one stage that was set to run at 125 PSI then you will be disappointed with the air flow. Also the tank would not be safe to operate at the higher pressure. I would stick with single stage replacement pump for that motor and tank. As someone else has said that motor is probably not really a 5 horse motor and would not pull a two stage compressor very well.

 

[Jetfixr320]

https://www.eatoncompressor.com/bare-pumps

Call or email this company. I bought a pump from them about 4 years ago. It has ran like a champ and held up through priming and painting two cars and countless other projects.

Have the specs from your motor data plate handy. They will tell you what pump you need.

I did have to buy a new pulley for my motor. I got it at Grainger.

 

[Citation]

ezover,
I'm assuming the compressor in question was a 2 stage system that had a pump failure. Since it was mentioned, the Husky brand does offer 2 stage, 5hp (not peak, real HP) compressors.
As an example:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-80-gal-5-HP-2-Stage-Air-Compressor-HS5181/100005910

I'm guessing it's not that you need such a big compressor but since it was free+repair costs it seems like a better option vs buying say a 240V 3hp system for say $600.

So assuming you don't need a 2 stage, 5hp system you could consider replacing the pump with a 3 or 5 hp single stage pump. Something like these may be a low cost options:
(3 hp)
http://www.harborfreight.com/145-psi-3-hp-twin-cylinder-air-compressor-pump-67697.html
(5 hp)
http://www.harborfreight.com/5-hp-145-psi-twin-cylinder-air-compressor-pump-60754.html

Reducing tank pressure to under 145 will result in less stored air than a 175 psi system. But if this is for home shop use that is probably a non-issue. So long as the motor and pump RPM are correct the 3hp pump won't be harmed when paired with a 5hp motor. The motor will simply be operating at under it's rated power.

Edit: Forgot, if you go to a single stage pump you will need to change your pressure switch and blow off valve. Both would be factory set for 175 psi, vs the 145 of the new pump. The power may be adjustable (I've seen ones that are but I don't know if that is a common feature). The safety valve won't be but they are perhaps $10 on Amazon

 

[CompressorPros.com]

We have some really good deals on Schulz cast iron pumps...take a look

http://www.compressorpros.com/air-compressors/low-prices/hot-deals/

 

[ezover]

thanks for the links. I mite just go with a single stage pump, it would work fine for my needs.

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ OP . . you could also find on CL an older SpeedAire or Craftsman (painter's model) 20 gal horizontal that were 4 or 5 HP and 120v/240v motor with very good compressors (generally 2 cylinder single stage). These often outlive their horizontal tanks which rust out.

Use the compressor, junk the tank, and sell the motor.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you have a god sized tank (>50 gallon) I don't see why most people need a 2 stage compressor. 125 psi should be more than enough for most tools.

I would rather have a single stage with more CFM !

A BelAire/Chicago Pneumatic PAT38 single stage can put out 18 CFM if you have the right pulley and enough horsepower to spin it at its max RPM of 1400. 12 CFM at 1250 RPM. Around $210.

 

[Jetfixr320]

I don't have much experience. But when I painted my buddies jeep, his used Devilbliss 2 stage 80 gallon recovered and shut off a lot quicker then my single stage 60 gallon.

And if you are using a lot of air tools or consuming a lot of air it's nice not listening to the compressor running forever it seems.

 

[Schurkey]

If you have a god sized tank (>50 gallon) I don't see why most people need a 2 stage compressor. 125 psi should be more than enough for most tools.

I had a 5-horse, 60 gallon, single stage. The thing NEVER shut off when I was using the die grinder. 125 psi in the tank got me about 70 or 80 psi at the tool, and with lots of water. Not near enough. I didn't even have a regulator, 'cause I never had the pressure I wanted.


Now I have a 5-horse, 80 gallon, two-stage. Things are somewhat better. It still runs fairly hard when using a single air tool. I set the regulator at 135--140, and I have 90 at the tool pretty reliably--and almost no water.

 

[redmondjp]

I had a 5-horse, 60 gallon, single stage. The thing NEVER shut off when I was using the die grinder. 125 psi in the tank got me about 70 or 80 psi at the tool, and with lots of water. Not near enough. I didn't even have a regulator, 'cause I never had the pressure I wanted.


Now I have a 5-horse, 80 gallon, two-stage. Things are somewhat better. It still runs fairly hard when using a single air tool. I set the regulator at 135--140, and I have 90 at the tool pretty reliably--and almost no water.

This mirrors my experience exactly, with the same compressors as you have.

 

[Bandit]

What He said
Plus
The 60 Gal single stage compressors are fine if you want to have a beverage and eat a slice of pizza in between work cycles while you wait for it to " catch up "