mateing a compressor to a Hypertherm 30 and electrical ?

[keoki]

Hi All,
Like the title heading states.I was just wondering what a good set up would be.
I am looking into primarily Craftsman compressors as they are the most accessible here in Hawaii (without paying exhorbitant freight costs). I ruled out the big box brands mainly due to some threads I have previously read.
I would preferably rather have a 120v compressor but if needed I can alweays install another 220v receptacle.
Which brings up another dilema which maybe someone can chime in on.
When in the shop, I have in use:
2-3 grinders, chop saw,band saw...all on a 120v outlet.
Also a Miller 211 on a dedicated 220v outlet.
At minimum, if I add a compressor I would need to add a 120v 20amp outlet AND another 220v outlet for the compressor and/or plasma?
The electrical is kinda getting overwhelming.

 

[hilld]

While you might have many electrical devices, you won't be running them all at the same time. I doubt that you would run the plasma and welder at the same time, so use the same outlet. The compressor will run in conjunction with the plasma cutter. You should probably have at least a 5HP compressor with a 60 Gal tank to use with the plasma. I had a smaller compressor 3.5HP and 20Gal 2 stage compressor and it couldn't keep up with my plasma (Hypertherm 45). I had to buy a new compressor. You should probably hardwire the compressor rather than using a plug, unless you need to share plugs, but I find that the air compressor is always used and I don't want to unplug it.

Hope that helps a little.

Derek

 

[keoki]

Thanks Hilld. Yeah I'll probably share the one of the 220v outlets with the welder and plasma. I was thinking of hardwaireing the compressor but feel I would be stuck if I wanted to move things around. I don't think I have room for a 60gal compressor. I was hopeing a 30 gal would do the job (@ least for the Hyper 30).

Thanks again for the advice.

 

[hilld]

Don't worry about the hard wiring, use a junction box near the compressor and then buy an appliance whip (usually 4-6ft) and connect the compressor to the junction box. If you ever move it, you just have to extend the wire from the junction box, rather than running a new home run to the panel. I will post some pics later showing what I am talking about. If the 30 Gal is too big, make sure the compressor can output the CFM's needed for the cutting. Even though I have a 45, the thickest I have cut so far is 3/8" and I ran out of air on my small compressor (20Gal 3.5HP).

 

[hilld]

Here are the promised pics.

Appliance whip (conduit) going from compressor switch to junction box

Junction box and plug for welder/plasma cutter Nema 6-50 (pretty standard for welders/plasma cutters)

Other side

The big picture

 

[crawlin91]

nice compressor

 

[bbriggs]

I'll offer that I use a Hypertherm 600, rated to use 6.0 SCFM, and it never runs out of air on my 2hp Emglo compressor rated at something like 8.4 SCFM. The Hypertherm 30 is rated to use 4.0 SCFM if I recall correctly. Both are looking for around 80 psi minimum input pressure I think. You can get by on a decent-quality 110V compressor, I think, for this use.

 

[creativecars]

I agree with hilld about making a spot dedicated for a compressor. How large is your shop? Is your welder hard wired in? Do you have an extension cord you can use with your 220 equipment?