Compressor advice?

[p2ulw]

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade my compressor from a small 50l to a larger more capable unit. I was looking at the one below:

Ingersoll Rand - 3hp - 200 litre - Belt Drive Air Compressor
This Compressor by Ingersoll Rand is their flagship. No brand stands for build quality and long life like Ingersoll Rand, its an investment that won't disappoint you.

Fixed Receiver Unit
The belt driven fixed receiver units are available from 4 to 7.5 kW and are designed for intermittent duty applications such as framing, carpentry, automotive maintenance and general maintenance requirements. These compressors include cast iron cylinders, a balanced belt wheel for smoother running, auto start/stop regulation pressure switches, TEFV motors are come complete with a factory fill of lubricant.

Features

• Twin cylinder two stage pump units
• Inlet air filter included
• DOL with Star / Delta starter option

Tank (litres) 200
Max Pressure (barg) 10
Nominal Power (kW) 2.2
Piston Displacement (l/min) 350
Length (cm) 45
Width (cm) 146
Height (cm) 90
Weight (kg) 102
Voltage/Engine 230 - 1 - 50 ​

I copied and pasted the above from the shops website, is this a good compressor, or are there better available for the money? It seems to be being promoted on the basis of quality. Are ingersoll rand better than a clarke or an SIP compressor?

Thanks

 

[AndyStobbs]

I have this phobia of adverts with spelling or grammer mistakes. IR is indeed a known good brand, though not inconceivable that they are made on the same Chinese line as Clarke and sip.

 

[Rig Pig]

Ingersoll Rand gear is good quality, I don't know what this particular machine is like but the big industrial machines are excellent with good spares backup when needed.

 

[rtbcomp]

Is it really 2 stage?

"DOL with star/delta starter option" but 230v single phase

Is there a phot you could post?

 

[brightspark]

Is it really 2 stage?

"DOL with star/delta starter option" but 230v single phase

Is there a phot you could post?

thats the best ive heard yet star delta starting on single phase 240v i wonder how that works

 

[rtbcomp]

Interesting background here http://company.ingersollrand.com/ircorp/en/discover-us/our-company/company-history.html

 

[Daz1968]

Think this is probably advert and it tries to cover a range hence conflicting information.
I would still go for a clarke industrial compressor as I have been impressed with mine, only upgrade I would do if I could warrant expense is a hydrovane

http://deniswilsonofglenavy.co.uk/ingersoll-rand-pb-222001-compressor-p-14863.html

 

[SmartWerks]

Sealey compressors use motors manufactured in Italy, probably a better bet than the Chinese tat machine mart sells. I have 2 sealey, one is 10 year old now.

SmartWerks

 

[p2ulw]

Thanks for the help guys. Thinking I might pass on this one and get a cheaper SIP 100litre one, preferably belt driven. The one above is probably a bit much and is physically huge.

 

[SmartWerks]

Avoid direct drive if you can, they are bloody deafening. Also direct drives can't work hard, they just overheat and trip out. I use a direct drive for my powder gun as it's cheaper in the long run than having to worry about oil contamination, plus it takes very little air so the compressor doesn't have to work hard.

SmartWerks

 

[rtbcomp]

Thanks for the help guys. Thinking I might pass on this one and get a cheaper SIP 100litre one, preferably belt driven. The one above is probably a bit much and is physically huge.

I recently bought a SIP. It was 3hp and supposed to be run off a 13A plug. It's given loads of trouble with blowing fuses. On the other hand my Clarke has served me well over the last 10 years.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

 

[AndyStobbs]

Avoid direct drive if you can, they are bloody deafening. Also direct drives can't work hard, they just overheat and trip out. I use a direct drive for my powder gun as it's cheaper in the long run than having to worry about oil contamination, plus it takes very little air so the compressor doesn't have to work hard.

SmartWerks

Curious, do direct drive machines inherently cause less oil contamination?

 

[rtbcomp]

Direct drive compressors come oil-less and conventional oil lubricated types.

It's the oil-less that don't contaminate the air with oil.

 

[SmartWerks]

I recently bought a SIP. It was 3hp and supposed to be run off a 13A plug. It's given loads of trouble with blowing fuses. On the other hand my Clarke has served me well over the last 10 years.

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/.../professionalindustrial-air-compressors-elect

Try preheating the oil, mine used to do it in winter on cold start so a few minutes with a hair dryer solved the problem. Now i have 16amp plugs and sockets.

SmartWerks

 

[rtbcomp]

You shouldn't have to mess around like that, in any event I bought it in summer and it blew fuses then. I tried a 16A supply and it just tripped the motor cutout.

The problem is that the unloading valve closes too early and/or there isn't enough capacity in the aftercooler/delivery pipe to allow the motor to get up to speed.

I now start it with the tank empty and the outlet valve open, so far OK 2/2 times.

 

[SmartWerks]

Mine only did it when really cold, below freezing. Manual does say not to operate when below 5 degrees, oil goes thick so requires more effort to crank. Lil bit of heat sorted the problem. As for it not working when has 16amp supply, sounds like a quality issue as if they trip with 13a p supply it does state it will require a 16amp to rectify problem.

 

[rtbcomp]

......... if they trip with 13a p supply it does state it will require a 16amp to rectify problem.

This was sold as being suitable for 13A and was supplied with a 13A plug fitted, there's no mention of connecting to a 16A supply if there were problems. Personally I think it was a marketing ploy to sell compressors to those who didn't have a 16A supply. It was made by Nu-Air and badged as SIP, some of the later Clarke ones look the same. It was £100 cheaper than the nearest Clarke in their "professional" range, and TBH the Clarkes are worth the extra.

 

[Mr shiney]

Take a look at the Hydrovane units. I have a 3Hp one that's superb. Will deliver 11 bar realtime all day long. I run it on a 300l air bank.

One of the best bits of workshop kid I have bought.