Can i upgrade my compressor?

[F.J.]

Hi all,

I have just bought a grit blaster and the shop owner recommend a compressor that gives out no less than 18 cfm. I currently have a SIP Airmate 150ltr 3hp compressor and by the write up gives out only 13 cfm. Is it as simple as buying a bigger pump to produce more cfm or do i need to replace my compressor with a bigger one?

thanks

Dean

 

[brightspark]

Hi all,

I have just bought a grit blaster and the shop owner recommend a compressor that gives out no less than 18 cfm. I currently have a SIP Airmate 150ltr 3hp compressor and by the write up gives out only 13 cfm. Is it as simple as buying a bigger pump to produce more cfm or do i need to replace my compressor with a bigger one?

thanks

Dean

just buy another compressor and u can couple them together and double your output .if u bought a bigger pump u would need a bigger motor to run it as well

 

[normspanners]

just buy another compressor and u can couple them together and double your output .if u bought a bigger pump u would need a bigger motor to run it as well

Stagger / time that they start or cut in , to try and stop them cutting in together put a delay timer, it will help the mains and minimise volts drop, some big 25/30cfm compressors have two units on one tank but have a few seconds delay starting second pump, it's a way round the huge current inrush.

 

[rtbcomp]

Try it with your existing compressor first.

Instead of a delay timer, just set the cut-out pressures a few psi apart.

 

[shenion]

As said, you will also have to upgrade your motor. Also will need a sufficient power supply to run it.

My compressor is 11CFM FAD, probably near 14CFM displacement. If I use a smaller tip, it will work with some pauses to let it catch up once in a while.

I agree a second compressor, is a good idea. You can just turn one on for other uses.

 

[F.J.]

Thanks for the info, if I was up get a second compressor, what size is advisable?

 

[Shox Dr]

Thanks for the info, if I was up get a second compressor, what size is advisable?

The biggest you can get. I've a 19cfm. And waiting to collect a 13 off a member here. Still won't be enough

 

[F.J.]

I have a three phase compressor that was given to me as it doesn't work, it's a monster with three cylinders on the pump and apparently one was smoking so they turned it off and got a new one! They are paint sprayers and the whole thing is covered in probably 4yrs of over spray. I can literally pick chunks off it! I may get that looked at for when I move into my bigger workshop but at the moment the shop I'm in doesn't have three phase so suppose fleabay is the way forward as I need one asap

 

[normspanners]

Just a suggestion but something I have done, the 3 ph one is it muti stage?, because if so you can take the inlet valve out of 1st stage so that one does not compress, fit a single phase motor to it and run it with only 2 stages the idea of a 3stage is one super charges the next and so on.The thing that possibly could have been wrong with it, is that it may have been turning in the wrong direction, you would be ammazed how many 3ph compressors are like that. I did two, just before christmas both had been overheated because they where running backwards, usually if wired by an unknowing electrian, they wire it, it runs and compresses and say 'thanks good bye'. the owner doesnt know and just keeps using it, I have put an unloader valve on my two stage pump so that it cuts out 1st cyl as the pressure get high, so that I can go to a higher pressure without straining the motor, as at 150psi it's on 12.5 amps but the pump and tank can go to 175, when the unloader kicks in it drops to 11amps but the pressure goes to 175 at 12amps. It takes a little longer but it works. very handy for blowing up truck tyres quickly because you need a big differential between tank and tyre

 

[Hog-Rider]

I use two compressors coupled together same as yours 2 X 50 ltr 3 HP If I only want small amount of air i use 1, If I want more to operate air tools etc. i use both.I run 2 short bits of plastic tube with quick release connectors. They go into an iron T piece, The middle hole plastic tube up to a wall mounted oiler air adjuster. Ajust the one compressor so there is not quite the same air output as the other then then bobs your uncle.

 

[brightspark]

Stagger / time that they start or cut in , to try and stop them cutting in together put a delay timer, it will help the mains and minimise volts drop, some big 25/30cfm compressors have two units on one tank but have a few seconds delay starting second pump, it's a way round the huge current inrush.

heres mine it has a timer between the 2 pumpsbut with 2 seperate set ups u just alter the pressure switch on one of them so they dont start up under load at the same time

 

[F.J.]

Just a suggestion but something I have done, the 3 ph one is it muti stage?, because if so you can take the inlet valve out of 1st stage so that one does not compress, fit a single phase motor to it and run it with only 2 stages the idea of a 3stage is one super charges the next and so on.The thing that possibly could have been wrong with it, is that it may have been turning in the wrong direction, you would be ammazed how many 3ph compressors are like that. I did two, just before christmas both had been overheated because they where running backwards, usually if wired by an unknowing electrian, they wire it, it runs and compresses and say 'thanks good bye'. the owner doesnt know and just keeps using it, I have put an unloader valve on my two stage pump so that it cuts out 1st cyl as the pressure get high, so that I can go to a higher pressure without straining the motor, as at 150psi it's on 12.5 amps but the pump and tank can go to 175, when the unloader kicks in it drops to 11amps but the pressure goes to 175 at 12amps. It takes a little longer but it works. very handy for blowing up truck tyres quickly because you need a big differential between tank and tyre

I must admit, I have no idea what you have just explained to me