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High CFM portable compressor?

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Vinny

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Jul 14, 2011
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640
Location
Simi Valley, CA
Seen other topics on this, but none ever get to the point I'm looking for.
Looking for a 240V portable (wheel barrel style preferred, but doesn't matter) compressor with the most CFMs I can get. It will be used both in my home shop, and also taken on the road, which I have a truck mounted generator that can provide more than enough power for it.
I was really interested in the Rolair 5230K30CS because it puts out 18.8 CFM, but reading into it, it seems like it just runs non-stop, which might not matter in some applications, but if I'm doing light work I'd rather not be wasting electricity as it dumps air out. With that being said, then I'm interested in their 3095K18, which is a lot less CFM (12.5 CFM), but still plenty for what I'm doing.
Seems like a lot of choices out there though, so for my applications, is there a better one anyone recommends? Preferably made in the USA.
 
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GeoBruin

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May 5, 2018
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Vinny said:
Seen other topics on this, but none ever get to the point I'm looking for.
Looking for a 240V portable (wheel barrel style preferred, but doesn't matter) compressor with the most CFMs I can get. It will be used both in my home shop, and also taken on the road, which I have a truck mounted generator that can provide more than enough power for it.
I was really interested in the Rolair 5230K30CS because it puts out 18.8 CFM, but reading into it, it seems like it just runs non-stop, which might not matter in some applications, but if I'm doing light work I'd rather not be wasting electricity as it dumps air out. With that being said, then I'm interested in their 3095K18, which is a lot less CFM (12.5 CFM), but still plenty for what I'm doing.
Seems like a lot of choices out there though, so for my applications, is there a better one anyone recommends? Preferably made in the USA.
Click to expand...
Many of the electric wheelbarrow style compressors are 120/240v models and wont make anywhere near as much air as the dedicated 240v rolair you've linked. Jenny might make a config like that and it would have a USA pump but you'd have browse their models.

There are plenty of true 5hp horizontal models with smaller tanks that I suppose you could call "portable" but they're not going to be as portable as a wheelbarrow style.

Just keep in mind you've got your eye on a single stage model with a factory cutout of 135 PSI. That shouldn't matter for most things but it might come into play if you need higher pressures after hose/fitting losses.
 
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strutaeng

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Dallas, TX
The constant-run operation is good because it will prevent the motor from short-cycling with a smaller tank.
I'm not familiar with the Rolair units, but some pumps will open the head valve so essentially the compressor just free-wheels when not pumping. I believe the Emglo/Jenny pumps are like this. If you look at the pilot valve, this system will have a 1/4" copper tubing going from it to the pump head. I've got an older Emglo 2 HP compressor and there's just a plug there on the head and that one is a run-stop with a pressure switch.

Another unit a cobbled together many years ago is maybe what you want. I used a ES-100 (?) Curtis pump with a 10 HP electric motor on a 30 gallon tank. That one I made dual operation: it has a pilot that can operate from constant-run to run-stop, in conjunction with a pressure switch and magnetic starter. That pump has disc-type valves and head unloaders like I mentioned above. There's not much electricity consumed while it free wheels, because it's not doing "work" or building pressure; basically it's just spinning with the valves open.

Something like this: https://www.compressorpros.com/jenn...-gallon-portable-air-compressor-constant-run/

I hope this helps.

Edit: here's the dual control pilot valve: https://www.midwest-control.com/productdetailI2.aspx?dataid=BDC2-110-135
 
Last edited:
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V

Vinny

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Location
Simi Valley, CA
Rolair, and I'm sure other manufacturers, make some pretty beefy "portable" gas powered compressors, but I have the power in my garage and truck that I'd just stick with an electric one.
How fuel efficient is a gas powered compressor? I know that will be based on horse power, but just curious what run time a gallon of gas will net me. Anyone have first hand experience on that?

I'll also reach out to Rolair regarding how the constant run pump handles itself when it reaches max pressure. If it does go idle and isn't wasting much electricity, might be worth it.
 
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American Locomotive

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Location
Rhode Island
All constant-run compressors unload - which means they just hold the valves open. The pistons just go up and down without actually pumping anything. They don't constantly keep pumping air to the outside world. It's still going to consume power, but isn't the end of the world.
 
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theoldwizard1

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Feb 22, 2011
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Location
SE MI
Vinny said:
I was really interested in the Rolair 5230K30CS because it puts out 18.8 CFM, but reading into it, it seems like it just runs non-stop, which might not matter in some applications, but if I'm doing light work I'd rather not be wasting electricity as it dumps air out.
Click to expand...
I have never heard of any electric motor driven compressor that just "dumps air out" once it reaches its max pressure !
Vinny said:
With that being said, then I'm interested in their 3095K18, which is a lot less CFM (12.5 CFM), but still plenty for what I'm doing.
Seems like a lot of choices out there though, so for my applications, ...
Click to expand...
And that is the key ! What is you application ?

If your sandblasting neither one of those may be enough (nephew had to run two 2HP compressor in parallel to keep up with his blaster). Sanders, die grinders and cut off wheels all take a lot of air and tend to have very high duty cycle (trigger pulled versus trigger NOT pulled). If you only do that occasionally, maybe you should rent something for those jobs.

Also, see if you can "harvest" a >50 gallon tank off of a dead compressor for your shop installation. You might be able to get through some jobs (or at least have to wait less often) with that extra air.
 
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Jack Ryan

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Jun 2, 2022
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Location
Adelaide, South Australia
theoldwizard1 said:
I have never heard of any electric motor driven compressor that just "dumps air out" once it reaches its max pressure !
Click to expand...

That particular compressor does just that. Like a petrol driven compressor, during the "idle" time, the compressor is vented to the atmosphere. The purpose is to reduce the surge (inrush) current stress on a (probably) under sized generator.

Jack
 
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sixfiend

New member
Joined
Aug 16, 2024
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2
Vinny said:
Seen other topics on this, but none ever get to the point I'm looking for.
Looking for a 240V portable (wheel barrel style preferred, but doesn't matter) compressor with the most CFMs I can get. It will be used both in my home shop, and also taken on the road, which I have a truck mounted generator that can provide more than enough power for it.
I was really interested in the Rolair 5230K30CS because it puts out 18.8 CFM, but reading into it, it seems like it just runs non-stop, which might not matter in some applications, but if I'm doing light work I'd rather not be wasting electricity as it dumps air out. With that being said, then I'm interested in their 3095K18, which is a lot less CFM (12.5 CFM), but still plenty for what I'm doing.
Seems like a lot of choices out there though, so for my applications, is there a better one anyone recommends? Preferably made in the USA.
Click to expand...
Vinny, What'd you end up going with? I'm shopping around now with similar requirements. I'd like to have this serve dual purpose as my main shop compressor / heavy duty portable that I can transport etc. When at the shop i would have it attached to an additional receiver. The rolair was my first choice, but the constant run doesn't seem like it would work in a shop scenario. Is it possible to change that?

Anyone have experience with Compressed Air USA or MAXair? Any help or recommendations is appreciated! Here are the 5HP portables I was able to find on the market:

1) Rolair 5230K30CS: $2100 - 5HP / 18.8CFM @ 90psi / dual stage pump. 9 or 20 gal tanks. Italian pump 100% duty cycle / 10000 hours, but constant run as mentioned above.

2) Jenny G5A-17P: $2700 - 5HP / 18.3 @ 100psi / single stage (also have dual stage version). 17 gal tank. USA Pump. Constant run standard. Start-stop control / dual control available.

3) MAXair / Eagle P5125H1-MAP: $1500 - 5HP / 18.5CFM @ 100psi / 175 max psi. 25 gallon tank (wheelbarrow also available). Motor is imported & pump is from Taiwan. 2 year warranty. 50% duty cycle, no decibel rating posted.

4) Compressed Air USA RS05-2P: $1900 - 5HP / 16CFM @ 125psi / 135 max psi. 20 gallon tank. Claimed to be built in Texas but not sure where the components are sourced. Reached out last week but no response yet. Believe this is a rebranded Compressed Air Systems Industrial Gold P51H22.

5) Eastwood Elite QST 30/60 Scroll: $2200 - 12.7CFM @ 90psi. 30 gallon tank. These are intriguing but have mixed reviews. I'm leaning towards a high quality piston compressor rather than a low quality imported scroll. Thoughts?

6) California Air 20060CAD: $1900 - 6HP / 14.6CFM @ 90psi / 125psi max. 20 gallon tank. Assume this would be quieter than the first 3 but I don't have a lot of experience with these oilless style compressors. Claimed 70% duty cycle and the 3 pumps are rated for 3000 hours.
 
F

Firebrick43

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Joined
May 12, 2015
Messages
14,261
Location
West central Indiana
Vinny said:
Rolair, and I'm sure other manufacturers, make some pretty beefy "portable" gas powered compressors, but I have the power in my garage and truck that I'd just stick with an electric one.
How fuel efficient is a gas powered compressor? I know that will be based on horse power, but just curious what run time a gallon of gas will net me. Anyone have first hand experience on that?

I'll also reach out to Rolair regarding how the constant run pump handles itself when it reaches max pressure. If it does go idle and isn't wasting much electricity, might be worth it.
Click to expand...
It’s going to be more efficient than running a generator with an engine and then a generator run the electric air compressor.

Any time you convert one form of energy to another form there is large losses in efficiency.
 
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GeoBruin

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May 5, 2018
Messages
3,754
tool_scrounge said:
I have used the Caisons portable compressorsin the past and was happy with their performance. They are quieter than others I have used. They are not light weight though. Some have ratings to 16cfm at 120 psi. They are also made in the USA.

https://www.ciasons.com/electric-portable
Click to expand...
I think ciasons might be california based. I see them for sale second hand around here all the time on Craigslist but never hear about them online.
 
R

RTM

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Joined
May 13, 2019
Messages
13,294
Location
SF Bay Area
GeoBruin said:
I think ciasons might be california based. I see them for sale second hand around here all the time on Craigslist but never hear about them online.
Click to expand...
Santa Ana based

Ciasons Air Compressors & Parts - Made in the USA

Manufacturer & Supplier of Air Compressors, Air Dryers, Pumps, Tanks, and related parts. Designed and built in the USA. Established over 35 years.
www.ciasons.com www.ciasons.com
 
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