Some more air compressor plumbing questions

[johnand]

I got my Sears 5.5HP 80 gallon compressor wired up and am getting ready to work on plumbing. The first concern I have is the outlet on the compressor is only 1/2 NPT. Is it worth using a adapter fitting into the tank to bump it up to 3/4" NPT into a 3/4" ball valve? I was thinking of running 1" pipe for the main feed and 1/2" for the drops.

The compressor will eventually be moved to the shed (Yet to be built), so it will have about a 75 ft run before it hits the garage. Is 1" big enough for the main feed piping?

 

[mikeyr]

1" will be fine, I would have gone 3/4" but it wont hurt to go to 1"

I would do a lot of planning so that when you replace that compressor it does not cause too many headaches. I purchased the big Sears airless 80 gallon compressor ( I think it was 6.5hp but might have been 5.5), it lasted barely 2 months before I was compressor shopping again. By that time I had plumbed the shop and built around the compressor, swapping the compressor was a pain. So now when I put in something big, I always plan for the future.

 

[johnand]

1" will be fine, I would have gone 3/4" but it wont hurt to go to 1"

I would do a lot of planning so that when you replace that compressor it does not cause too many headaches. I purchased the big Sears airless 80 gallon compressor ( I think it was 6.5hp but might have been 5.5), it lasted barely 2 months before I was compressor shopping again. By that time I had plumbed the shop and built around the compressor, swapping the compressor was a pain. So now when I put in something big, I always plan for the future.

Hmm, that doesn't sound good that you were compressor shopping again 2 months later. What didn't you like about the Sears compressor?

Haven't used mine yet, but the specs were good, and the price was right on clearance. My only gripe is, it is a little loud (Though it is quite a bit quieter then my old 5HP 25G Sears direct drive. When it goes to the shed, noise will not be an issue.

 

[kartracer55]

http://www.airheads.net/tech/techinfo/airline.html


Jim

 

[mikeyr]

It was not a oilless compressor it was a airless compressor that also happened to be oilless and very noisy. The thing was extremely noisy and certainly did not put out enough air for my needs. I checked since this mornings post and it was a 6.5HP but those were Sears HP's, my 5HP replacement put out twice the air and took twice the amps.

 

[Jeepguy]

you're in luck, i happen to design air systems part time for a company in PA. the outlet size of you tank has nothing really to do with the size of your main system other than you have to use a bell reducer to get to the 1" main line. the larger you line is the more storage and volume you can run to your tools, just remember to check out the APSI and ACFM of your compressor, that means actual psi and actual cfm, what the pump says is never what the pump can do a 5hp usually is only a 3hp running. and dont forget to use a vibration isolator so you dont shake a crack in your lines.

 

[johnand]

It is mounted on isolators and I will use a flexible line from the ball valve to the piping.

A picture is attached.

 

[z28toz06]

Nice compressor Johnand, good luck with it! I was looking at the Sears also, but from everything I'm reading on here I'm going to get a Quuincy or an Eaton. Let us know how it treats you, maybe I'll change my mind!

 

[Jeepguy]

Quincy's are good machines. I have heard nothing but bad about Eaton. look into champions they are pretty good for the price, way better than ingersoll rand.

 

[bmwpower]

Quincy's are good machines. I have heard nothing but bad about Eaton. look into champions they are pretty good for the price, way better than ingersoll rand.

Really? All the guys on here love their Eatons....Jim????

 

[Jeepguy]

well then again it all depends on what state you are in. Eaton doesnt make their round too much in PA because of teritory restrictions with IR

 

[Jeepguy]

sears, home depot, and lowes dont get real compressors, they are commercial pumps the real ones you have to get from mom and pop shops or factory direct. here look at this website www.chreed.com