Powering a compressor & shop with a generator...

[cosmopedro]

Hello all! I **** at searches so forgive me if this has been covered - in fact, if it has, please provide links?

I’m hoping to temporarily power a garage/shop space via generator, and the majority of my load will be an old Ingersoll-Rand 230V 5HP compressor OR a small 230V MIG welder... I have a chance to get a good used 5500W (7500W startup) gas generator but am unsure whether it can handle the compressor start-up load and am clueless as to how to determine that.

Compressor powered by Baldor L14301 motor and, when ‘inherited’ it was connected to a 50A disconnect (which I thought was overkill...)

Help?!?


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[u3b3rg33k]

FYI a 5HP compressor motor will pull around 125amps to start up. 7500W surge generator supplies around 30 amps. it might work, but more likely it'll instantly pop the breaker on the generator or just fail to start.

don't take my word for it:
https://www.baldor.com/catalog/L1430T#tab="performance"

if you look at gas powered air compressors, you'll notice the gas engine/electric motor sizing for the same CFM compressor is not equal.

for example a 22CFM Honda powered gas unit is rated 12HP, while a 22CFM electric unit is rated 7.5hp.

 

[gravelydude]

Short answer is that it will not work. You will not be able to start the compressor motor when the compressor has to start and overcome the pressure that is already in the system.
That compressor motor is probably drawing 30-40 amps at startup.

 

[79firebird]

need a bigger generator. a 5000watt gen 7500 surge could not start my husky compressor says 5hp but true 2.5 hp with air in it. if I drain it it would pump up

 

[cosmopedro]

Powering a compressor & shop with a generator...

Thanks, all!! Not the answer I wanted but the one I expected...


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