New toy

[Elmira Viking]

I just bought a 60 gallon, 11.2 CFM Iron Horse compressor:

This is a brand new install into my new workshop, so I'm curious about the best way to hook it up ? I have a run of 12/2 cable going to where the unit will sit, but that's about it. I'm wide open to suggestions at this point.

 

[2ManyProjects]

I just bought a 60 gallon, 11.2 CFM Iron Horse compressor:

A link to the manufacturer's product-specification page would have been useful. The pretty picture doesn't really tell us very much.

This is a brand new install into my new workshop, so I'm curious about the best way to hook it up ?

It depends on the actual maximum load the motor will potentially place on the circuit. To determine that, you need to look at the ID plate on the motor itself (NOT the fancy graphics plastered all over the tank, or in the advertising literature). The key figures are "HP" (Horsepower) and "LRA" (Locked Rotor Amps). While the latter can give you a good idea, officially it is the former which is determinative.

I have a run of 12/2 cable going to where the unit will sit, but that's about it.

If, as I rather suspect, you're talking about THIS:

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Iron-Horse-IHD6160V1-Air-Compressor/p5489.html

model, then I seriously doubt that is going to be adequate. They provide precious little REAL info on that page; and what they do post at least partially conflicts with the downloadable "Spec Sheet". But it would appear that it uses AT LEAST a 3-horsepower motor (the "Spec Sheet" claims 6.5 HP). See http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3272381&postcount=13 for further details on how to figure this out.

I'm wide open to suggestions at this point.

One other thing: Since this is not a "portable" (i.e., wheeled) model, you WILL want to hard-wire it, with a disconnect box/switch nearby (code says "within sight of" and 50 feet max.; but I generally prefer it to be MUCH closer than that, typically immediately adjacent on the nearest wall), using armored cable between the disconnect and the unit itself.

 

[460Rustang]

A link to the manufacturer's product-specification page would have been useful. The pretty picture doesn't really tell us very much.



It depends on the actual maximum load the motor will potentially place on the circuit. To determine that, you need to look at the ID plate on the motor itself (NOT the fancy graphics plastered all over the tank, or in the advertising literature). The key figures are "HP" (Horsepower) and "LRA" (Locked Rotor Amps). While the latter can give you a good idea, officially it is the former which is determinative.



If, as I rather suspect, you're talking about THIS:

http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/Iron-Horse-IHD6160V1-Air-Compressor/p5489.html

model, then I seriously doubt that is going to be adequate. They provide precious little REAL info on that page; and what they do post at least partially conflicts with the downloadable "Spec Sheet". But it would appear that it uses AT LEAST a 3-horsepower motor (the "Spec Sheet" claims 6.5 HP). See http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=3272381&postcount=13 for further details on how to figure this out.



One other thing: Since this is not a "portable" (i.e., wheeled) model, you WILL want to hard-wire it, with a disconnect box/switch nearby (code says "within sight of" and 50 feet max.; but I generally prefer it to be MUCH closer than that, typically immediately adjacent on the nearest wall), using armored cable between the disconnect and the unit itself.

Do you guys EVER get tired of answering the same ole questions over and over again?

VIKING, I'm only asking because I also was asking close to the same questions last week,.....bringing 230 v into my attached garage. You'll get some good answers here, great board.

 

[sberry]

I bet this comp slides just under allowing it with a 12 cable. Only real reason to have a bigger wire would be for future use with a unit one class up. Is there a wire guide in the owners manual?

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Cant give a definitive answer til we know what the REAL HP rating is!!