Compressor help please.

[Bellicose]

Hi guys, i have an issue i'm hoping someone can help me with, well actually make up my mind for me lol.

Ok so the little blue compressor is 'bout 14 years old, 3hp single phase (240 volt) 15cfm with 50 litre tank.
I bought it new and have been SUPER lazy and bad as the poor little thing has NEVER been serviced, not even a change of oil ( i know i know)
I do and have done a LOT of car painting with it but now it's getting tired and will not run my DA sander at all.

The bigger silver compressor is one i picked up a little while ago. It's 3hp 3 phase (approx' 400 volt) but the plug that goes into wall socket is missing, no idea what size pump it has, but it looks identical to the pump on the blue one so assume it's 15cfm.

There's nothing to tell me what size the tank is and i don't know how to calculate it.

I have 3 phase power in my garage.

My problem is this,

1 Do i try and get the blue one serviced with new valves and all and just live with a small 50 litre tank (not really big enough to paint tho')
2 Get silver one serviced and a new wall plug and hope it doesn't need anything major, (bigger tank more suitable for my needs)
3 Get pump off blue one serviced then put that and single phase motor on silver tank.
4 Buy a new bigger pump and higher HP 3 phase motor.

Here in New Zealand new decent sized compressors are big money so a new one is out of question for a good while.

Thanks for any help in advance.
I hope that all made sense lol.

 

[larry_g]

If it were me I'd try and get the big one going. Have it serviced, connected and your off to the races. Once that is going I'd go through the smaller one and have it repaired and brought up to good working order. Now with two compressors you have the option of connecting them both online when you need the capacity.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[djd99]

I would definitely service the silver compressor with new rings and valves. If you intend to still paint and use your da you need the most cfm you can supply. I would compare how much the rebuild would be to a new pump and go from there.

 

[kams1973]

just swap the electric motors

 

[james68ssrs]

These pumps are ABAC pumps and look like 4 to 5 hp models, so rated to approx 15 to 20 cfm, depending on the pulley ratios(1HP is approx. 4 cfm) and motor size. Your 3hp should pump out around 8 to 12 cfm @90 psi, which is standard for most air tools over here, (Australia). I would take the heads off and inspect/ clean up the reed valves,or replace if damaged).032" shim will work if you want to have a crack at making your own, fit new head gaskets (make your own from .020" gasket paper, or buy from an ABAC distributor, ie. most compressor companies should have the gasket), then set up the 3 phase as your lead machine and the smaller single phase as the lag, assuming that you may need more air than the larger machine can provide on occasions. Wash out the air filters, usually foam, and dry, obviously change the oil (twice, and use compressor oil only) check the belt(s) and alignment, drain the tanks and check for any leaks at all fitting points. With the heads off, inspect the bores, but don't get carried away with honing or ring changes etc. when these things die, its usually a rod or bearing, so unless there are grooves in the bore, just carry on. I would run a fine slip stone (lightly) over the gasket faces to eliminate any warpage, including the block, and assuming there is no major damage, you should be good to go. Adjust your pressure switches to your required set points, lead/lag or whatever you choose and then test the operation of your toys. Make sure the EV dicharges air when either compressor stops, and ensure that this discharge of air eventually stops. If not, then drain all air from tank(s) and check the discharge check valves to make sure they are sealing.Also clean the crankcase breather, this never gets done.( I think yours will be in the oil cap) Drain the tanks after each use and change the oil annually, regardless of usage. I work in the air compressor industry and actually threw one of these pumps out not long ago, threw a rod out of the side of the block, but the head and valves were still ok.cheers, james

 

[Bellicose]

Well just picked up silver compressor from the shop. Had them go over it and see what it was like.

They did tidy up the plumbing and wireing, all up $443.75 including plenty of new parts so the whole deal owes me $943.75 which i'm happy with.

It would be one of the quietest compressors i've heard, it's great.

Now just need to plumb airlines around the garage.

 

[copterdoctor]

holy ****, if you're happy paying that I would hate to see how much a brand new compressor is... is that in NZ dollars? what's the conversion rate into US dollars?

 

[Bellicose]

Yep NZ $. A new compressor this size and capacity would run to between $2000 and $3200 NZD.

I tell ya mate we get bent over for everything here, economy of scale ie; population is only 4.3 million.

1 NZD is approx' 0.73 USD