How much to install three phase air compressor

[first64]

I'm looking for some help, this is a new arena for me. I have a line on a three phase air compressor, built around 1979, I didn't look real close at it because I was there (machine shop) on official business. It was green so I assume it's a speedyaire (sp?), I did see it had a Dayton motor on it, not sure what size maybe 100 gal.

My question is how much would it cost to install this in my garage electrically speaking? Currently I'm running 100A service from my house. What does a phase converter cost? The cost for the compressor is almost free. I would be stoked if I could get this

Thanks for any help you can offer

 

[sberry]

Free and being excited doesn't make it a good deal, get something that comes ready made single phase that plugs in to your service.

 

[A_Pmech]

The installation cost (and practicality of installation) will depend highly on the machine itself.

It may be worth the time to swap motors, or run the machine off of a phase converter. On the other hand, it might be a better idea to buy a new or used single-phase compressor.

We need more info.

 

[Aceman]

There's a reason the 3 phase stuff is usually cheap.....

 

[bradleys]

Does this 31 year old compressor have a safe, non-rusted tank?

Is the motor over 7 1/2 hp? Every place I've ever lived, the power company has told me "no motors over 7 1/2 hp" on single phase service. If the motor is 7 1/2 hp 3 phase, with a phase converter you may be over that limit.

How quiet is the compressor?

Can you get parts for this 31 year old compressor?

Google/yahoo/bing is your friend to find phase converters. Make sure that you find one which will start a hard-starting motor for a compressor.

I suspect that your phase-converting or re-motoring may be a significant fraction of what a new compressor would cost. Think about what you're getting for your money.

 

[BioHazard]

I suspect that your phase-converting or re-motoring may be a significant fraction of what a new compressor would cost. Think about what you're getting for your money.

Agreed. If you can really get it for next to nothing, put it on craigslist and find a good single phase air compressor.

 

[930dreamer]

Did you buy the compressor?

 

[rockwithjason]

variable frequency drives have a soft start feature. they can also convert single phase to 3 phase. if i were going to do the job that is how i would do it.

 

[Todd.Brock]

I wrestled with this before. I had a chance to haul away a 10hp Quincy QE-10(I think) for free. It ran on 3 phase. I had nothing to do with it, It was too big. I guess go to the scrap yard. I called Quincy, they said it was a model that wasnt all that great, it was 25 years old and parts were sketchy at best. So, I had to find 3 or four guys, rent a trailer just to get it home and have nothing to do with it. Or take it to the scrap yard and about break even on time/costs.. It killed me, but I passed.

I found a 5 hp 80 Gallon IR 2 stage with a hole in the piston and a missing valve plate on CL for 100 bones. Replaced the parts and I am up and running with something that is a bit more manageable size/electrical requirements, etc... Its about 15.8cfm at 175psi so that should be a nice upgrade from the
"5" hp 33 gal craftsman oiless we currently use.. Good luck with the search!

 

[hoopty388]

i am going to deal with this myself soon. I got an compressor I have very little in i. I figure at worse I can replace the motor and pump because the tank is worth more by itself than what I have in it.

 

[first64]

Thanks for all the replies. I still need to get some more info on the compressor, but I think in the end I'll be pass on it. I don't have the time or the space for it. If I get some specs on it I'll post them up to see if it might be worth picking up.

 

[first64]

Okay, well I got some more info... It's a speedaire with a Dayton 10hp model #2N979, it can be wired for 230volt, it has a wire diagram for this, however it pulls 27 amps in this configuration. What do you seasoned folks think? Go for it or not worth it?

 

[930dreamer]

Does it look like this?

 

[first64]

I'm not sure, it's pretty large. I guess I could get a pic if necessary. What is that a picture of?

 

[930dreamer]

Speedaire 10hp Pump. A 10 hp motor is going to pull a lot of starting amps.

http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/tls/1690978084.html

 

[hidollartoys]

10 hp single phase motor has a running current of 50 amps.

Compressed air is the most expensive utility in a shop. You should consider exactly what your air requirement will be. Anything bigger is just wasted dollars for equipment and power. For small air tools just purchase a 5 hp unit and be done with it. If you are blasting parts then you are in a different boat. May be add a second 5 hp for the times you need extra air. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS CHEAP AIR OR AIR COMPRESSORS!!!!!!

 

[first64]

Thanks for the advice hidollar, I think it's bigger then I'll ever need.

 

[hoopty388]

does the pump in the pic have 1 or 2 belts. I t looks similair to mine it has 2 belts.