Compressor question..

[ZRX61]

I'm going to bring my 60gal Devilbis 6hp (6? ha!) home from the storage place if this idea will work..

It's 220v single phase. At my old place it was hard wired with a service disconnect & it's own circuit etc. However, all there is here is a 220 outlet in the garage with one of those outlets that looks like a regular 110v version, but with one pin turned 90deg...

If I run a 10g extension cord do ya think this will work? (I already have one that I used to run my plasma cutter) If I do have to rewire it shouldn't be too hard as the outlet in the garage is directly next to the main breaker box on the outside wall of the garage.

 

[zkling]

What does the amp plate on the motor say? Probably in the 14-16amp range? If I'm thinking of the outlet you have, those are 20amp, 240v called a 6-20P/R. Which technically has a 2hp motor rating. Do you know what size breaker the 240v outlet is on and is it the only one on that breaker?

The 10ga from the outlet to the compressor should be fine, but dependent on the motor amps.

 

[gorilla]

It would be wise to check the amp rating of the breaker, if it's only 20 amps it might not handle the inrush current needed to start the motor. If it's a real 6 hp it may pull closer to 20 amps under full load.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Check the motor plate. A real 6hp motor might take even more than 30A, especially for starting.

How long would that cord be ? Cords size is typical 1 size up from standard wiring (i.e. 12 gauge for 15A, so 10 gauge would handle 20A).

 

[LWW]

If the outlet is right next to the breaker box and if you have a spare 220v slot in your fuse panel I would just add another circuit with the right gauge wire, breaker and outlet. I'm a paranoid ex-electrician's apprentice so I always up the wire gauge.

I'm also OCD about outlets. I have 8x2 110v and 2 230v receptacles each on dedicated circuits on EACH wall in my garage...

When I bought the house it originally had 90A service... When I remodeled the garage, I upgraded the service to 380A from the city and now my house is on a 90A subpanel off the garage main panel...

 

[ZRX61]

I'm looking for the specs on line as the compressor isn't here, but it apears it's 5hp, not 6hp... & the info I'm seeing is saying it's actually closer to 3hp in reality.

Extension cord won't be more than 25ft.

 

[ZRX61]

Well 4 months later I have the compressor home. Front of the comp says 6.5hp, but I remember Devilbis losing a class action suit about the true HP of these things. It appears to be a 15A motor.
Garage 220 circuit is possibly 30A as roomie thinks it's the same circuit as the washer/drier.

I can't see the outlet in the garage right now (stuff in the way) but I did spot a junction box that I know is 220v that goes to the hot tub. Maybe able to pop the cover plate off that & wire a receptacle there instead?

 

[mr overdunne]

It will take about an hour and a half to tighten that up the right way. Do it once and be done with it. You don't know any electricians nearby? They all work for beer. Lol.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is there any current requirements on the motor plate ? If your outlet looks like this it is only rated for 20A. I sometime run my 2 hp 240v/20A compressor off of a 12 gauge extension cord.

It would probably be better if you removed the existing cord and hardwired a 25-30' power cord and plug, eliminating the connection in the middle. Save the original cord.

 

[ZRX61]

Slight set back...
I could have sworn there was 220 outlet by the garage door. Looked for it today by moving everything off the shelves & there's no sign of it *confused*

Still have that 220v junction box thought, I'll pop the cover off that & see what's there. Hopefully enough slack in the wires to convert the cover plate top a receptacle

 

[C96]

What ever you do, be careful! Seems this compressor has been literally fighting you every step of the way. It wrestled you down once and F’d-Up your leg. Don’t let it team up with the electricity and take you down for good.

Be careful friend; don’t want to read another bad compressor story here on GJ.

Good Luck

 

[ZRX61]

Found it! It was hiding under the bottom shelf! Always a good sign, receptacle next to a hose bib

 

[ZRX61]

or there's this one in the laundry room next to the garage...

 

[bcassel]

Go to the one in the laundry room, take a run out the back of it, install a plug from it in the garage. You probably won't need to run the compressor and the dryer at the same time.

Looking at your photo, you have the electrical panel in the garage, just tap a new circuit our of it!

 

[ZRX61]

It's not my house so there won't be any "running new circuits". If I go off the outlet in the laundry room it will have to be an extension cord deal.
Electrical panel is outside the garage on an exterior wall... about 2ft higher than the hose bib in the first pic.