Looking for an air compressor, 120vac

[mroneeyedboh]

So Im looking for an air compressor that can do a homeowner work load. i have a 120v outlet that I have dedicated to it. I know I can do 240v but I dont believe that I need to do that. Id be using it for tires, impact wrench work, brake jobs... simple stuff like that. No sanding, painting ( if I DO it'll be with a small gun, but I doubt that too ) or other heavy CFM jobs.

I did see the thread that says the Sears Professional AC was rated the highest CFM ( I think just over 4 mins for a fill? ) out of the 120v units. But the reviews dont see that well on it. I do want a cast unit, with oil and vertical. I came across these two, they seem damn near the same thing but with subtle differences. I see the Husky has more of a shroud around its belt and flywheel assy. and the Porter Cable as an open grill style. Does the shroud style help direct air onto the pump better than the grill style? I see one has pneumatic wheels the other looks like injection molded ones. Id assume this would help with vibrations? Has anyone see the two in person? Any and all info on this two, or even something in the same price range ( ~450 ) would be cool too.


I dont mind used, but I checked CL and didnt see anything. Im not in a HUGE rush, but I dont want to wait a year neither.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...belt-drive-air-compressor-30-gal?cm_vc=-10005

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30-gal-Ultra-Quiet-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-C301H/203187352

 

[CompressorPros.com]

You won't get much more than 5-7 CFM on 115 Volt, but if you are doing small tasks, you should be fine. The most air I have seen on at 115V is the BelAire 5020P or 5026VP and Chicago Pneumatic RCP-220P or RCP-226VP. The BelAire and CP are identical outside of branding.

http://www.compressorpros.com/air-compressor/portable/20-gallon/single-stage/belaire-5020p/

http://www.compressorpros.com/air-compressor/portable/26-gallon/single-stage/belaire-5026vp/

http://www.compressorpros.com/cp/air-compressor/portable/single-stage/chicago-pneumatic-rcp-220p/

http://www.compressorpros.com/cp/air-compressor/portable/single-stage/chicago-pneumatic-rcp-226vp/

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Thanks

bump on my OP questions...

 

[md21722]

The Sears compressors that I've seen have looked cheaply made. Aluminum discharge hoses, poor air filters, the list just goes on.

I had a NAPA Air Boss 2HP which is the same as the Quincy 2HP and CP 2HP. They are all made by Atlas Copco and other than maybe tires and a different pain color there is no difference. They appear to be higher quality in every way than what Sears sells. The motors are selectable 115/230V and worked fine on a 15A 115V circuit. I had it on the same circuit as the garage door and accidentally opened the garage door with it running and it didn't trip the breaker. The amp rating is full load, which isn't usually the case. The compressor worked great for impact & airing up tires. It starts of very quiet and gets louder as the pressure builds but nowhere near as loud as an oil less. If you want quiet, you've got to keep the pump RPM at or less than 900. All portables I've seen have some type of rubber isolation both from tires and some pads that keep vibrations down. I don't think the belt guard really matters. I can tell you that the NAPA guard is easier to use than anything from Campbell Hausfeld that I've ever seen. The manual does not call for any break in and the oil never looked glittery or dark. I changed it anyway.

The Tractor Supply Porter Cable has a 115V only motor, otherwise I can't tell the difference between the "red paint" Porter Cable's that you can get at NAPA or Home Depot for $200 more. I have never heard one of these run.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Thank you. What I noticed is that Napa AC has only one stage... Shouldn't I be after a dual stage? I also noticed that the Quincy has a different pump, and Quincy is touted to have that better pump as well. Although the AC's do have the same tank design, just different pumps ( Quincy vs the CP and the Air Boss )

 

[nh_yota]

I don't think you can get a two-stage compressor that runs on 120V.

 

[mroneeyedboh]

The two in the Op are 120v

 

[md21722]

All the ones you are looking at are single stage.

Two cylinders does not mean dual stage.

For a two cylinder, dual stage one cylinder takes in fresh air, sends it through an intercooler, to the second cylinder, and then puts it in the tank.

For a two cylinder, single stage, both cylinders take in fresh air and sends it directly into the tank.

Generally dual stage compressors start around 3-5HP 230V.

Per HP, single stage will generate more CFM at a lower pressure than dual stage.

 

[FTG-05]

So Im looking for an air compressor that can do a homeowner work load. i have a 120v outlet that I have dedicated to it. I know I can do 240v but I dont believe that I need to do that. Id be using it for tires, impact wrench work, brake jobs... simple stuff like that. No sanding, painting ( if I DO it'll be with a small gun, but I doubt that too ) or other heavy CFM jobs.

I did see the thread that says the Sears Professional AC was rated the highest CFM ( I think just over 4 mins for a fill? ) out of the 120v units. But the reviews dont see that well on it. I do want a cast unit, with oil and vertical. I came across these two, they seem damn near the same thing but with subtle differences. I see the Husky has more of a shroud around its belt and flywheel assy. and the Porter Cable as an open grill style. Does the shroud style help direct air onto the pump better than the grill style? I see one has pneumatic wheels the other looks like injection molded ones. Id assume this would help with vibrations? Has anyone see the two in person? Any and all info on this two, or even something in the same price range ( ~450 ) would be cool too.


I dont mind used, but I checked CL and didnt see anything. Im not in a HUGE rush, but I dont want to wait a year neither.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pr...belt-drive-air-compressor-30-gal?cm_vc=-10005

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-30-gal-Ultra-Quiet-Portable-Electric-Air-Compressor-C301H/203187352

I got $10 on a new "what 240 VAC compressor?" thread by the OP within the next 12 years months.

Any takers?

 

[nh_yota]

Yeah the pictures for the compressors in the first post threw me for a loop because they are twin cylinder compressors, but each cylinder has an air filter AND there's an intercooler line between the two cylinders (which you would see on a two-stage), so I'm not really sure either way.

 

[md21722]

In that scenario it's still single stage, but the air is cooled somewhat before it enters the tank.

 

[md21722]

These 115V units will work fine for basic impact use, filling tires, blow gun, etc. If you have any intention of running rotary tools like die grinders or air drills you will need a very large compressor or multiple compressors working together.

If the air tool is

0.33 HP - 18 CFM
0.50 HP - 23-28 CFM
1.00 HP - 30-37 CFM

The advantage of the dual stage is that it more effortlessly pumps to higher pressure and gives you a good buffer for your air tools. Typically there is less condensate in dual stage compressors as well.

An impact that runs at 90 PSI typically means you need 100-110 PSI in the tank by the time the regulator and hoses cut into the dynamic (running) pressure. Most pressure switches require a 25 PSI differential, so you could set your regulator to come on at 105 and off at 130. Dual stages typically cycle 145-175 PSI. This also gives you more air reserve.

Single stage compressors may even outperform a dual stage up to around 100-110 PSI. At pressures over 110 PSI single stage compressor CFM starts plummeting. A 20-50% decrease should be expected as pressure goes up.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The Husky one claims to be "ultra quiet". I call ******** !

If quiet is a priority and you are will to give up tank size, get a California Air Tools. HD carries them or at least you can order them online for in store delivery/

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Thanks guys. News to me... So many a single cylinder 120v is better? Ahhhh I don't know. I'd like to see if anyone has had both and says one is better than another

 

[md21722]

The compressor should be right sized to your needs. You don't see see roofers lugging 600-700 pound dual stage compressors around. Nail guns don't use a lot of air. Likewise, you don't see anyone trying to run a an industrial pneumatic angle grinder off a 2HP portable compressor. It will run for about 10 seconds. If you want to run the big rotary tools you will need a MUCH bigger compressor.

I have had air compressors for 15 years and for impact work a single stage is fine (or go cordless). These portables are convenient because they are light and move easily. By the time you need more than 5-7CFM from these portables, you are typically looking at a LOT more air, at least 17.5 CFM from a 5 HP compressor (requires 30A 230V circuit). Some folks need 7.5HP - 12.5HP work of compressor for their work. Once you get into the bigger compressors they are almost always dual stage. There are a couple of single stage 5HP compressors. Some folks with dual stage compressors will turn down the pressure, for example, from 145-175 to 110-140.

Some folks say they will never own a single stage again, but consider that also means they will never own less than a 5HP compressor (less than 17.5 CFM again).

 

[mroneeyedboh]

Ahh thanks for putting it in perspective