Curtis E-57 compressor questions

[ScottReb]

Hey all, have chance to get s Curtis 80 gallon w 3 phase 5hp for less than $200. Seller says it fills to 150psi but the pump is noisy. Without breaking it down I wont know for sure, but can anyone give me some ideas as to what it might be? Not knocking just noisier running that it should is his words. Also what should I look at when I see it? It looks pretty clean and rust free in the pics.
Thanks

 

[pcmeiners]

Could be a number of things. Without more info hard to diagnose. An 80 with an e57,2stage for $200 hard to beat if in reasonable shape.

 

[Gary Anderson]

Better yet...
Do you have 3 phase power to run it???
A static type phase converter will NOT work!

It would be the same cost to convert the 3 phase comp to single phase and a good pump as to BUY a 5HP, 80 gallon tank SINGLE phase compressor.

A good quality Rotary Heavy Duty phase converter will run $600 plus.

Your Pal, Gary

 

[ScottReb]

I just plan on putting a 5hp single phase Baldor on it and poss changing out the mag starter

 

[mg283680]

Might want to price a 5hp 1725rpm Baldor 1st.
You can use a 3-phase starter on single phase. Rumor has it swap the heaters.
But regarding the pump, beyond does it have oil, get the model number and look up info.

 

[ScottReb]

Baldor is $300 on eBay. Not sure how much a rebuild will cost but with the motor and the compressor Ill be into less than $500 plus a mag switch depending on what he has on it. If I can come out 700-800 for a well built old machine would be ok.
Im also going to look at an IR 2340 with 5hp/60g, fairly new for $600 asking. Not sure if the Curtis is worth a couple hundred bucks more. Its less work, but I dont mind the redo if it really a better compressor.

 

[redmondjp]

I have that exact same pump. Dollars-to-donuts you have a bad rod bearing (and/or wrist pin). The E-57 is splash-lubed and the older ones had lubrication issues on the rod.

I had a retired compressor mechanic rebuild my pump - cost me close to $500 for parts & labor, after spending $250 on the compressor (which came with a Baldor single-phase 5HP 1740RPM motor on it, so I figured worst-case, I was buying a motor and a tank).

For that price, I'd probably go for it. The E-57 is still a current-model pump and parts are available. Mine runs nice and quiet and doesn't break a sweat operating my air cutoff tool (unlike my 60-gallon single-stage which can't keep up).

 

[matt_i]

Rumor has it swap the heaters.

You will want to bypass the overload section's normally closed contact. The heaters are designed to detect phase loss and shut down the motor. Running on a single phase (2 wires) is going to be an automatic phase loss when 3phase (3 wires) are expected.

However the contactor part could care less how many phases it switches and will march merrily along. The controls need voltage to work, though, its likely tapped from 2 of the 3 phases in a simple system running line voltage controls. So one would have to choose carefully on that part. But it can be worked thru trial and error without damage.

 

[ScottReb]

Found a newer IR 2475 circa 2000 for a little more than the price of the Curtis plus a new motor. P/U next week