High psi compressor question
- Thread starter stanratch
- Start date
higher pressure would mean less cycling of the compressor. also for higher pressure tools, the 125 psi likely kicks on at around 90, the higher psi would kick on around 130 or 140
Provincial
Well-known member
If you have the output of the tank regulated down to 125 psi, the extra pressure in the tank results in more storage (more cubic feet of air available at 125 psi), so it is like having a bigger tank.
If you have a need for more pressure, like cranking up an impact wrench to remove a stuck bolt, it is available.
Generally, the higher pressure compressors are 2-stage, which results in more cubic feet of air compressed with the same horsepower. This uses less electricity to do the same amount of work.
If you have a need for more pressure, like cranking up an impact wrench to remove a stuck bolt, it is available.
Generally, the higher pressure compressors are 2-stage, which results in more cubic feet of air compressed with the same horsepower. This uses less electricity to do the same amount of work.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Taking that one step further, you have extra "surge" capacity for high volume air tools, at least for a short time.
(I have been looking hard at the Astro Nano 3/8 impact but the specs say it use over 5CFM @ 90PSI. That exceeds my pump capacity. I'm not certain if my 20 gallon tank has the surge capacity for that tool.)
sberry
Banned
This is the essence of it. You can deliver air to a regulator at its kick on pressure. To feed a tool like 1/2 impact or DA down a section of 3/8 hose and a couple fittings at 90 is about what it takes. It needs the headroom.
sberry
Banned
Had a bud stop to fill a big tire the other day, said your comp didn't even kick on.
dutchgray
Well-known member
I know someone with a real old 200 psi compressor, in American the tank works out to 45 gallon, its turned down to 150psi now for safety but its a beast for air delivery and when it does run its quite and seems to run so easy.
Same guy got a modern 10hp 3 phase 270 litre horizontal so the old one is back up only now. I have tried to buy the old one more than once.
Same guy got a modern 10hp 3 phase 270 litre horizontal so the old one is back up only now. I have tried to buy the old one more than once.
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
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- Feb 23, 2013
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You can use the astro nano with a 20 gallon compressor. You won't be able to run the impact continuously off the compressor (since it's CFM is higher than the pump's output), but it'll still run at full power when the tank is full and you will probably be able to take off 5-15 lug nuts at a time between letting the tank recharge.
One of these days I'll do a write up about CFM and air tools. Just because your compressor doesn't have the same/higher CFM as what the tool requires, doesn't mean you can't use it (and still have full power). Especially with non continuous use tools.
sberry
Banned
I have 2 units. On the bigger one I leave the breaker off, its so rare I need it but use a 3 hp champ on 200 gallon tank. Depending on user timing I can sand near continuous and in reality am done with most work before demand is an issue and if is we would be staging, resting and resumed work just prior to shut off s the tanks were full with the pump running.
Let it come back and resume work is a rhythm, Only time I use more is extensive sandblast and that's actually rare cause I got most of it done and don't do it for sport or the job is washed, sanded and painted.
Let it come back and resume work is a rhythm, Only time I use more is extensive sandblast and that's actually rare cause I got most of it done and don't do it for sport or the job is washed, sanded and painted.
sberry
Banned
Its a bit like electric in that hi pressure is better for transmission.
I have a well. I run sprinklers from the well. It will run 8 sprinks but the tank will be empty and system pressure low. If I run from 1 to 5 the well produces more than it can use and cycles. I run 6 and its just below cut out pressure so the well runs continuous at 55# vs from 30 to 60 and hoses which are insufficient being fed at 30 work well at 55.
When another user comes on to do dishes, laundry or shower the system drops to 50, users barely notice and service is better than when the system cycles.
I have a well. I run sprinklers from the well. It will run 8 sprinks but the tank will be empty and system pressure low. If I run from 1 to 5 the well produces more than it can use and cycles. I run 6 and its just below cut out pressure so the well runs continuous at 55# vs from 30 to 60 and hoses which are insufficient being fed at 30 work well at 55.
When another user comes on to do dishes, laundry or shower the system drops to 50, users barely notice and service is better than when the system cycles.
sberry
Banned
2 stage air for shop tools is quite an improvement, the exact math really isn't important as is that the working range is in a set of pressures another level higher making for consistent regulation. Working range as said earlier of 135-175 vs 90-135 at best. It isn't to make more cheaper. There is some more stored energy,, there is a lot stored at 90 that's not usable and adds to hose/size demands.
I see a lot of focus on 3/4 mains but its wasted especially on 2 stage if we are doing it due to the fact it will help performance. Almost all the line loss is in the secondary after regulation and with a hose and directly proportional to distance.
A 1/2 hose will help a 1/2 air gun if it isn't being served but once we exceed the need its all irrelevant and allows movement for the operator thru a 50 ft 3/8 hose.
I do have a section of 1/2 and have bypassed it for 3/4 gun work and if I added a 1 inch gun would try to shorten the hose to 25 ft.
Same with home setups, need super poop, chop hose in half and up pressure to gun for cheap with 1/2 the pressure drop.
Maybe 8 or 10# depending on a couple factors but changing the man from 1/2 to 3/4 for 40 ft on the main,,,, .3 difference.
I see a lot of focus on 3/4 mains but its wasted especially on 2 stage if we are doing it due to the fact it will help performance. Almost all the line loss is in the secondary after regulation and with a hose and directly proportional to distance.
A 1/2 hose will help a 1/2 air gun if it isn't being served but once we exceed the need its all irrelevant and allows movement for the operator thru a 50 ft 3/8 hose.
I do have a section of 1/2 and have bypassed it for 3/4 gun work and if I added a 1 inch gun would try to shorten the hose to 25 ft.
Same with home setups, need super poop, chop hose in half and up pressure to gun for cheap with 1/2 the pressure drop.
Maybe 8 or 10# depending on a couple factors but changing the man from 1/2 to 3/4 for 40 ft on the main,,,, .3 difference.
sberry
Banned
Wanna save pressure drop thru cheap connectors? Take one out and screw the hose to the wall or outlet. People worry to tears and then put 2 in one hose.
sam.coll
Well-known member
End of this thread reminded me of a great song by Led Zeppelin - Ramble On 
Is there a formula to calculate true gallon capacity, given tank pressure, tank size, and regulated pressure?
If I have a 30 gal tank at 165 psi, but only using 100 psi, can I get 35 gallons of air, or is it more like only 31 gallons?
ovrrdrive
Well-known member
There is but it doesn't work like that. You'd be looking for cubic feet at ambient pressure I believe. Something like this:
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/compressed-air-storage-volume-d_843.html
It would be hundreds or possibly even thousands of cubic feet. Gives me a headache thinking about hat kind of math.
I come up with about 50 gallons.