Air compressor line question?

[mnm99]

Hi Guys,
I just picked up a 80 gallon Belaire 2 stage compressor. I want to run some lines in my 2 car garage. My plan it to put a pull down in the middle and an outlet on the other side of the garage. I was looking at the rapid air system. The outlet on the compressor is 3/4". I have a regulator/ water separator that uses 1/2" in/out, but can find a 3/4" if need be. Question is should I keep everything 3/4" until the hose reel and outlet or just go with 1/2"?
Thanks

 

[Johnny chaos]

I have a Champion 2 stage 80 gallon and their website recommends 3/4 for almost all runs. If it is a short run maybe 1/2 would be ok? Price wise they are close so I chose to do 3/4

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... 1/2" will carry all the air yer ever gonna want,....

 

[Cyberbear]

Bondo said it best, 1/2" is everything you'll need in this application. It's about air flow, not so much about pressure. Most people don't use any higher than 100 psi for their needs.

 

[manwithtools]

Depends on the CFM your compressor outputs and how much you want available at the hose ends. Are you going to be using two air tools at once? If you are and they both require high CFM then a 3/4" regulator might be required. It would help to know the flow capacity of the regulator you have in order to say for sure. There are charts available for calculating equivalent flow for fittings and pipe lengths.

It would be interesting to know what the flow equivalence is for the RapidAir system fittings.

http://www.industrialaircompressors.biz/files/943922/uploaded/how_to_determine_Pipe-Size_chart_2-18-11.pdf

Edit: I just noticed RapidAir has a nice calculator on their web site: http://www.rapidairproducts.com/page/flow-rate-calculator

Looking at their products, the 1/2" is really .375" ID - the 3/4" is 0.8" ID. If you are using their 1/2" kit then there is absolutely no need to use a regulator larger than 1/2". If you use the 3/4" kit than the above comments and calculations apply.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, air line piping can be compared to road building.

1st,, consider the anticipated traffic on the road. Then build to accommodate the volume of traffic and anticipated future growth.

2nd, what is your budget? Are you Congress building a "Bridge to Nowhere" or a cash strapped small local government?

How much air CFM do you have and how much do you need? Where do you need it?

My shop is well served by a 3/8" hose run through the attic trusses.

Fast, Cheap, and "not bad"