Compressor pipe size

[Vehical13]

I recently bought a Kobalt 60-Gallon Two Stage Corded Electric Vertical Air Compressor.
Item #905520Model #XC602000
The compressor head and the tank are both drilled and tapped for 3/4" but have brass reducers to 1/2" pipe. What advantage is 1/2" over 3/4" pipe? The outlet hole is also drilled and tapped 3/4" but without a reducer.

 

[mike93lx]

1/2 is more than enough for anything you will do at home. Blast cabinet, impact, sanders,etc

It is cheaper and lighter.

 

[Highland]

Half inch pipe is slightly cheaper per foot. That's about it.

 

[Packard V8]

If this were a continuous duty application, there are several good reasons, so unless there's a compelling reason not to, use 3/4". The additional 50% storage volume in the run is effectively a larger tank. The pressure at the drop will be higher.

The bad news continued use with a blast cabinet or air grinder could burn up the Kobalt that much sooner. That "3.7-running HP" is a very light duty unit. If called upon to pull 16.2 amps to put out 6.9 SCFM at 175 PSI for any length of time, the magic smoke may get out.


jack vines

 

[mike93lx]

If this were a continuous duty application, there are several good reasons, so unless there's a compelling reason not to, use 3/4". The additional 50% storage volume in the run is effectively a larger tank. The pressure at the drop will be higher.

The bad news continued use with a blast cabinet or air grinder could burn up the Kobalt that much sooner. That "3.7-running HP" is a very light duty unit. If called upon to pull 16.2 amps to put out 6.9 SCFM at 175 PSI for any length of time, the magic smoke may get out.


jack vines

Do the math on that "extra storage"... Hint, it is immaterial even in a big shop

 

[Packard V8]

Do the math on that "extra storage"... Hint, it is immaterial even in a big shop

For true, on the 60' run in my shop, it's 1/2-gallon difference; real, but insignificant. I was remembering industrial applications with 1"-2" and larger pipe running hundreds of feet over several bays. They run a 25hp screw compressor with no tank; piping is the storage.

jack vines