Running compressor off generator

[itsback]

Can I run a Devilbiss Pro4000 of a Generac 5500? The compressor is a single phase 230V,60 gallon, 6.5hp. I think from what I've read it may be an issue but I'm not running a shop with it. I will be using it once in a while to DA the paint off my car and maybe spraying some primer. I know the issue is start up. Does anyone know about soft starters for compressors?
Thank you.

 

[larry_g]

The generator will deliver 22.9a and is fused at 25a and that will not support 6.5hp.

http://gens.lccdn.com/generaccorpor...power/gp series/0196610-a-gp5500.pdf?ext=.pdf

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Strouty]

Anytime I hear 6.5 HP or some other oddball size on an air compressor I think overrated.

What is the amp rating for motor?

I know the Devilbliss name is a good one, but maybe this is a cheaper version with a hyped up HP rating? I am going to guess that it is rated low enough to run off the generator, but this is a guess. Even if it is close, you want a large short cord so that you don't kill the generator or the compressor. Once you tell us the amp ratings from the motor tag we will be able to really answer your question.

 

[sberry]

I doubt it and its a very poor substitute for adding a circuit. It cost a lot to run and is a good way to ruin both pieces. It cost a lot to run and is a good way to ruin both pieces.

 

[devoncoolman]

More then likely its just a 5hp motor. But anyway. Run a 220 line off your circuit box and plug it in. Its cheaper then gas for ur generator.

 

[itsback]

I have to check the compressor, I haven't picked up yet, been busy at work. My reason for asking is I was thinking of using it at my storage unit where I'm keeping one of the cars I'm working on. I can just scrap that idea and bring it home, I already have the 220 circuit set up for the electric heater I rarely use.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I have a Generac generator sizing program on my computer. It says that for a 240vac single phase 6.5hp motor you would need a 20kw generator; if it's 5hp the generator size drops to 10kw.

 

[Davefr]

Assuming it's 22 amps, you'll need a generator that can supply a starting surge (ie Peak) of 66 amps+ to start the compressor. You'll likely need something close to 10,000 watts.

Get the motor code off the compressor and match it to the motor starting capacity of the generator.

 

[wildbill23c]

22amps for a 220v motor is bs, sounds like its a 110v. If that 6hp or whatever motor requires that much to start up it is garbage, even an old 2hp motor requires less startup amps than that. My 30+ year old air compressor will trip a 15amp breaker if there are other things plugged into it, but otherwise it does fine on a 15amp circuit and its 110V, if I went to 220V it will require 1/2 the amps. Double check your numbers, I don't think that compressor is 220V with the number of amps you are stating, even at startup with 220V it shouldn't be that high.

 

[larry_g]

22amps for a 220v motor is bs, sounds like its a 110v. If that 6hp or whatever motor requires that much to start up it is garbage, even an old 2hp motor requires less startup amps than that. My 30+ year old air compressor will trip a 15amp breaker if there are other things plugged into it, but otherwise it does fine on a 15amp circuit and its 110V, if I went to 220V it will require 1/2 the amps. Double check your numbers, I don't think that compressor is 220V with the number of amps you are stating, even at startup with 220V it shouldn't be that high.

Bill
What is the FLA on a 5hp 230 volt motor?

HINT

lg
no neat sig line

 

[itsback]

Mine is a 220v. I'm a little confused with who your talking to. I never said anything about 22A, maybe someone else did.

 

[larry_g]

Mine is a 220v. I'm a little confused with who your talking to. I never said anything about 22A, maybe someone else did.

Read post #8. Your probably in the 20a range on your compressor, we have to guess because you cannot seem to deliver that number to us. To find the total load the compressor delivers to the generator we need to have both the voltage and the amperage of the compressor.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[itsback]

Oh I said earlier in post #6 that I hadn't picked it up yet but as soon as I do which should be some time this week I will be able to provide that info. I appreciate the help though.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Bill
What is the FLA on a 5hp 230 volt motor?

HINT

lg
no neat sig line

Yeah... IIRC nameplate on the old 5hp GE running my shop compressor is 27A @ 240V, give or take an amp.

<20A sounds like one of those BS "7hp!" motors on cheapo big box units.

 

[wildbill23c]

If in fact its 20amp or more don't waste your money, a 2hp compressor is plenty for anything a home owner would be doing with one. Anything more than that and you'll definitely need a dedicated circuit anyhow, and a portable generator won't run it because the start up amps will be higher than the circuit breakers will not hold the start up load at all.

Why on earth they thought an air compressor needs anything more than a couple HP for a motor is pretty dumb. My 30+ year old compressor with a 1HP motor does everything. The motor has nothing to do with the compressor's ability to operate air tools and such, that's in the tank and the compressor's pump to do that. 1-2HP is plenty. Anything more is over-kill.

Also, thanks for posting that hint link, I printed that for reference.

 

[larry_g]

If in fact its 20amp or more don't waste your money, a 2hp compressor is plenty for anything a home owner would be doing with one. Anything more than that and you'll definitely need a dedicated circuit anyhow,

If one is playing then the above MAY be true. If your doing work then the above is ludicrous.

Why on earth they thought an air compressor needs anything more than a couple HP for a motor is pretty dumb. My 30+ year old compressor with a 1HP motor does everything. The motor has nothing to do with the compressor's ability to operate air tools and such, that's in the tank and the compressor's pump to do that. 1-2HP is plenty. Anything more is over-kill.

The above is just wrong. It's obvious to me that the poster has never worked with air systems.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[firebox40dash5]

Why on earth they thought an air compressor needs anything more than a couple HP for a motor is pretty dumb. My 30+ year old compressor with a 1HP motor does everything. The motor has nothing to do with the compressor's ability to operate air tools and such, that's in the tank and the compressor's pump to do that. 1-2HP is plenty. Anything more is over-kill.

Just... no. No. Not even close.

I've damn near overrun the shop compressor myself, one tool at a time. Just me and the boss working normally (a tool each, intermittent) can easily do the same. We spent a Saturday last year cleaning plows with a needle scaler and wire brush on a grinder, and it stayed around 90psi and never cut off while we worked. Juuuuust barely kept up.

If you can get enough pressure outta a pump turned by a 2hp motor, and put it in a big enough tank, sure, you can do a good bit. Likewise, slap a 5hp setup on a 20 gallon tank and it'll **** under a sustained heavy load. But the underpowered one will take ages to fill, meaning more waiting and more motor and pump wear. And once you drain that tank down to 100psi, that couple cfm@100psi from 2hp isn't going to keep up with much of anything. Impact guns ain't air nailers.

 

[CompressorPros.com]

We had a formula from a generator manufacturer for sizing a generator to run a compressor, which most compressor manufacturers do not recommend and may possibly void your warranty.

(6 to 10 times FLA) x Voltage = How many Watt generator you would need

 

[owenst7]

My "6.5 HP" Devilbiss made in 1995 says 14A @ 220 v on the plate. It's on its own 30A breaker and has never tripped.

 

[itsback]

Ok, I know its been a while but I finally got the compressor this past weekend. The guys wife had a baby right after I saw and paid for it and they had complications and not being in a rush I told him to take care of his family and we would meet at his storage place later. Well all is good and I finally have it. It is a 230V, 15A motor on the compressor. The HP is blank but it says 6.5hp on the base plate the compressor and motor are on.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Similar generator. Run my old (1980s) 2hp Craftsman compressor off of it just to load down both side of the split phase when I am "exercising" the generator.