Old IR 30 T 234 compressor value (on CL)

[robg222]

The serial number is 697393 Guy wants to sell this compressor, by the tags I can see its an Ingersoll Rand 30T (I think, see pics) and there is a Dayton 2 HP 220 motor on it. Seller doesn't know anything more about it as it came with a building he purchased. I want a compressor for air tools with a minumum CFM of about 14. I think most compressors rated at or around 14 usually have around 5 HP motor. However I dont know much about compressors etc. looking for a little advice maybe someone could tell me more about this one, or direct me to where I may be able to find out more. He is asking $300 and says that it works, I have not been to see it yet, its about an hour from me.

 

[bob15]

Maybe this will help (not 100% sure on accuracy):http://www.primeaircompressor.com/ingersoll-rand-type-30-two-stage-air-compressors.htm

The compressor, though an older design, is bullet-proof. With a 3HP motor, you can get 11cfm @ 175 psi which is good.

 

[redmondjp]

That's a small compressor if you want to use any continuous-use air tools. Price isn't bad for what it is and it will probably run forever, but it will not be ideal for running a grinder or other such tool for longer than 10 minutes at a time.

With that being said, if you are like me and only occasionally use air (blow gun, impact gun, air up tires, etc), it should work just fine. It is a better compressor than you can buy at the box store for $500 and it is a two-stage unit (pumps as high as 150 - 175 psi).

Is it set up so you can hear it run? If so, start with an empty tank and listen for any banging or tapping noises from the pump for the first 20-30 seconds that it runs. Also check the crankcase oil - should look like clean motor oil with no sign of moisture (looks like a milkshake if water is emulsified with the oil).

Also check for water and oil in the tank. Water is normal if not drained regularly, and can be an issue if left sitting in the tank for too long (corrosion). There shouldn't be much if any oil in the tank, if the pump is in good condition (a little is OK).

 

[469 runner]

The T-30 has been around a long time and is a reliable pump. Usually they are run by a 5 HP motor at least. I have an older one that gets a lot of use on my blast cabinet. It does fine. For 300 I don't see how you could do wrong. You could get a nice Baldour 5 HP motor at some point to run the pump a little faster. I think mine is set for 3450 rpms. A higher speed but not that noisy.

 

[redmondjp]

The T-30 has been around a long time and is a reliable pump. Usually they are run by a 5 HP motor at least. I have an older one that gets a lot of use on my blast cabinet. It does fine. For 300 I don't see how you could do wrong. You could get a nice Baldour 5 HP motor at some point to run the pump a little faster. I think mine is set for 3450 rpms. A higher speed but not that noisy.

Look at the size of the jugs on that pump - not all T30s are created the same size! That is one of the smaller model T30s and I'm not sure that pump would be able to spin any faster - most of the smaller T30s that I've seen are already spinning at 700-800rpm.

For reference, here are the present-day various sizes/models of the T30 pumps available:

http://www.ingersoll-rand.gr/downloads/t30.pdf

 

[bob15]

The T-30 has been around a long time and is a reliable pump. Usually they are run by a 5 HP motor at least. I have an older one that gets a lot of use on my blast cabinet. It does fine. For 300 I don't see how you could do wrong. You could get a nice Baldour 5 HP motor at some point to run the pump a little faster. I think mine is set for 3450 rpms. A higher speed but not that noisy.

The T-30 means, Type 30, but it is a Model 234 (smallest of the 234, 242 & 253 family of compressors). The 234 which is powered by either a 1.5, 2 or 3 HP motor at 750 rpm.

 

[Jason280]

As long as I could hear it run and it checked out, I'd have no problem spending $250-300 on that compressor.

 

[930dreamer]

I had a duplex compressor with two of the 234 pumps and I think 3hp motors? This setup is probably to small for what you want but the vertical tank is a big plus, maybe you find a larger compressor and use this space saving tank?

 

[stonesfan68]

IR spins the newer model of that compressor (2340) at nearly 1,000 RPM with a 5 HP motor in order to deliver ~15 CFM and complete in the consumer market. I don’t remember if they did that with the 234 compressor, but I personally would not go above a 3HP motor on it which would give you around 12 CFM at 150 PSIG.

I have the 2340 compressor with a 5HP motor and a motor pulley that turns the pump at the 3 HP speed. I’m a bit of a compressor geek (25-years in the industry) and wanted the compressor to last forever.

 

[469 runner]

The T-30 means, Type 30, but it is a Model 234 (smallest of the 234, 242 & 253 family of compressors). The 234 which is powered by either a 1.5, 2 or 3 HP motor at 750 rpm.

I guess I have one of the larger pumps. Mine does have bigger jugs. LOL.
Thanks for the information.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have an Ingersoll T30 on an 80 gallon tank also by IR, The compressor pictured by the OP appears to have the intercooler missing. All of the repair and service parts are available. The tank looks old and tired and maybe an inspection for rust is a good idea.
I will post a few pictures of my T30 for reference. In the one picture one of the three intercooler lines is not installed. The smaller lines are part of an unloader design.
The large airfilter works rather well, but noisy. I plane to go to a big truck recycler and see if I can buy a proper baffled filter canister.
I have a Baldor 5 HP driving my T30 at about 1000 rpm.
I built this compressor from parts I found on Craigslist. It took nearly 20 years to collect all of the pieces. The compressor pump came with a master rebuild kit was $25 dollars. The tank was new and surplus and I paid $100. The motor was new and around $250. The large air filter was $5 surplus.

 

[sweetk30]

i also have a 234. great unit . as i was told its a 9cfm unit with the bigger motor option .

the older stuff is full re-buildable over the newer black series throw away junk .

to the o.p. and ias cornbinder ditch there air filter unit / or HUGE filter and get a silencer filter unit for around 20 bucks off ebay and live in haven for the sound level reduction . mine had the orignal like the o.p. posted pic of the upside down cup and filter wad in it . i replaced it and WOW quiet . like this one . https://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Intake...hash=item2c6531e439:m:meFeKMrep6nlAtBkqm3xRnw

 

[isb cornbinder]

I am going to stay with the big airfilter. On the off chance I an not able to buy the silencer/canister I want, I may build a wall mounted filter cabinet and connect the compressor with a flexible hose. I really don't mind the noise, so much. The compressor comes on and builds pressure so quickly the throbbing only lasts a minute or so. I fail to understand how the compressor knows to start just as I try to use the telephone.

 

[bob15]

I guess I have one of the larger pumps. Mine does have bigger jugs. LOL.
Thanks for the information.

I also have a large T30....Model 253 which is the 25 cfm, 5 horse model which has 4 finned tubes going between the 2 cylinders. It is on an 80 gallon horizontal tank.

 

[bob15]

Is there a way to upload the IR owners & parts manuals for these (Model 234, 242, 253) compressors on this site for viewing? I have them as PDF's.....

 

[sweetk30]

I am going to stay with the big airfilter. On the off chance I an not able to buy the silencer/canister I want, I may build a wall mounted filter cabinet and connect the compressor with a flexible hose. I really don't mind the noise, so much. The compressor comes on and builds pressure so quickly the throbbing only lasts a minute or so. I fail to understand how the compressor knows to start just as I try to use the telephone.

i also heard old school was to run suction threw 4 cyl car muffler to cut down the noise .

 

[robg222]

Hey just want to thank everyone, this thread has been a sort of master class in compressors for me. I have come to the forum here many times over the years , nice place that you all make it.
At this point think Im gonna pass on this one. with what I have picked up here I think more capacity might be better for me. Yous guys rock, thanks.

 

[Texasstar49]

I also have a large T30....Model 253 which is the 25 cfm, 5 horse model which has 4 finned tubes going between the 2 cylinders. It is on an 80 gallon horizontal tank.

Where are you seeing the literature stating the pump puts out 25cfm at 5hp?

 

[RTM]

Account Suspended

This says 253 doesn’t come w 5hp, might have back in the day.

 

[bob15]

Where are you seeing the literature stating the pump puts out 25cfm at 5hp?

It is the RPM of the motor and the RPM that you are turning the compressor at the flywheel. The compressor's components and more importantly the flywheel (part # 30212914) are the same whether it is a 5 or 7.5 hp motor. I sized the motor pulley to match the speed I wanted to spin the compressor flywheel.

I'm not sure where I wrote it down, but I believe the RPM of the flywheel is supposed to be around 575 rpms, according to an IR rep that deals with industrial compressors (like ones with a ~30" low-side piston bore and a ~20" high pressure cylinder bore). You can spin it faster and make even more air, but its given life-span will diminish.

Account Suspended

This says 253 doesn’t come w 5hp, might have back in the day.

Here is the cover of the parts list manual I have:




On page 26 of the manual:

 

[ecclap]

It is the RPM of the motor and the RPM that you are turning the compressor at the flywheel. The compressor's components and more importantly the flywheel (part # 30212914) are the same whether it is a 5 or 7.5 hp motor. I sized the motor pulley to match the speed I wanted to spin the compressor flywheel.

I'm not sure where I wrote it down, but I believe the RPM of the flywheel is supposed to be around 575 rpms, according to an IR rep that deals with industrial compressors (like ones with a ~30" low-side piston bore and a ~20" high pressure cylinder bore). You can spin it faster and make even more air, but its given life-span will diminish.



Here is the cover of the parts list manual I have:




On page 26 of the manual:

bob15 do you have this manual in digital format? I just bought a 253D5 that I'm going to rebuild and don't have any manuals for it.

 

[AlexFrench]

Hello everyone,


I am also looking for the user manual? I need to open my type 30 model 253 and I would need an exploded view. Thank you,

 

[submg45]

Is there a way to upload the IR owners & parts manuals for these (Model 234, 242, 253) compressors on this site for viewing? I have them as PDF's.....

Did you have any luck uploading. I need both manuals for my 234.
.