motor needed for FIAC compressor

[Qwertyco]

Hi, I recently picked up an old one of these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TASKMASTE...Air_Tools_and_Compressors&hash=item3f112aa99e

It came in a bad state, having neen used for paint spraying, and the air filter was blocked and passing air,
so it's in the process of being stripped and refurbished (head valves are bunged up solid!)

Also, it came without a motor!

I only have 240v domestic, and would guess at needing about 2hp.
As I don't have a motor pulley either, I haven't a clue what size I need, or what speed motor i need.
Any info would be greatfully received!
Cheers,
Mike Q.

 

[tigler]

More likely to be a 3hp motor. I overhauled a similar one recently with the same problems your's has, the worst thing was that a big end had gone too !! Bearing shells are available but at a price ! If the crank is badly scored though, it's effectively scrap as a crank is expensive and a ****** to fit ! You need to lift the cylinder block and feel for play in the big ends before going any further. I have a 3hp motor off a Fiac so I can let you know the pulley size if needed, unfortunately the motor is useless as the changeover relay is burnt out and I can't find a replacement.

 

[Qwertyco]

Motor speed and pully size info would be great, thanks.
Bottom end seems Ok so far.
I'll decoke the top end and try spinning it with a smaller motor I have, and see what happens!

I have just discovered a self-tapping screw filling a rust hole in the bottom of the tank as well ! !

 

[mike 109444]

Motor speed and pully size info would be great, thanks.
Bottom end seems Ok so far.
I'll decoke the top end and try spinning it with a smaller motor I have, and see what happens!

I have just discovered a self-tapping screw filling a rust hole in the bottom of the tank as well ! !

That'll be the "SAFETY" blowoff
Welcome to the forum by the way

 

[mike 109444]

Ref the rusty screw. It does bring up the question of how sound the tank is?

 

[tigler]

Someone replacing the drain tap with a botch ! From memory its a 4 pole motor so speed will be 1500 rpm. Pulley ratio is usually about 2.5- 3:1 giving a pump speed of 500 rpm max but I'll check that tomorrow.

 

[Qwertyco]

Thanks for the welcome.

Sadly the rusty screw is at the other end of the tank to the drain plug.
Looks like a trip to the tip with the tank.
I have a new 50L Wolf compressor (that isn't up to the job) so if I can get this FIAC pump working as a stand alone,
I'll connect them both together, along with the 13kg propane bottle I'm using as well.

 

[tigler]

Assuming no pressure in the tank, check it by tapping along the bottom lightly with a hammer. It should ring and sound hollow, if seems dead anywhere it's probably a thin spot.
Of course the best test is hydrostatic, thats a hydraulic water test. A compressor place could do that. However, it's a fairly recent compressor so it should be ok, there is always going to be some rust in the bottom of a receiver.

 

[Qwertyco]

I'll give it a good going over before I decide to scrap it.
I'm a Piping Engineer, so have a few contacts who might be able to test it properly, possibly even patch it up. (proper coded welders etc)

I'm picking up a 2hp motor for free tonight, not sure what type, but it's FREE!
Freecycle websites come in handy sometimes, also getting a small calor cylinder off him as well.

The head valves are cleaning up Ok at the moment, lots of paint stripper and boiling in carb cleaner is doing the trick. I'll get them in the ultrasonic cleaner when the thick stuff has come off.

 

[Qwertyco]

Good news / bad news:

Good: after boiling and scrubbing, I discovered the spring valves are easily removable for cleaning, held in place by a simple spring clip, so everything is fine there.

Bad: the 2hp motor I picked up last night turns out to be 0.25hp !

 

[tigler]

Think that might struggle a bit !!

 

[tigler]

Finally managed to measure that motor pulley today, about 130mm so 5" in old money. The motor is a 4 pole so speed in pratice is 1425 rpm, this is standard though, 4 pole motors running on 50hz will always be this speed.

 

[Qwertyco]

Thanks for that
usefull info!

I've got a couple of pullys, one is a 5".
I've got it spinning with the 1/4hp motor and a 2.5" pully.
It's producing air with open end outlet, but quickly slows when I put my thumb over the end.
Producing air is a good start I suppose!
There's a couple of 2hp motors on ebay at the moment, but they are more than I paid for the whole compressor.
I've got a wanted ad on freecycle again, for a bigger motor.

 

[tigler]

Eventually a suitable motor at the right price will show up on ebay, just a matter of when !
Not surprised at the result with the 0.25hp motor !!

 

[Qwertyco]

My mate has a farm with lots of derelict stuff lying about, conveyors, feeders, fans etc.
I'll maybe have a poach about and see if there's anything suitable.

 

[Qwertyco]

Bit of an update:
I scrapped the 150L air tank!
One of the heads was as thin as tinfoil at the bottom.
I bought a brand new motor, this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261026703060?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
still waiting for delivery though.
It's probably 1/2 or 1 hp too small really, but I will gear it down to drop the speed of the compressor, and just have it chugging along.

Todays question is:
Do I just stick a 2.5mm flex and plug on it as the original motor was, or do I need one of these fancy DOL starter thingys?
I'm a Piping bloke, not a leccy as you might guess!

 

[tigler]

No need for a DOL with that size motor. Typically, even 3hp motors are wired direct through the pressure switch. Even though it will be geared down, watch the operating temperature on that motor, it may find it hard going !

 

[brightspark]

Bit of an update:
I scrapped the 150L air tank!
One of the heads was as thin as tinfoil at the bottom.
I bought a brand new motor, this one:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261026703060?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
still waiting for delivery though.
It's probably 1/2 or 1 hp too small really, but I will gear it down to drop the speed of the compressor, and just have it chugging along.

Todays question is:
Do I just stick a 2.5mm flex and plug on it as the original motor was, or do I need one of these fancy DOL starter thingys?
I'm a Piping bloke, not a leccy as you might guess!

best thing to do if your using a smaller motor and gearing it down is run it up to full load and use a clamp on ameter to measure the current draw. the motor will show on the plate its full load amps / providing your draw doesnt exceed it your ok if your anywhere near teeside i can lend u a meter to test

 

[eil]

Also remember that most compressors have a minimum speed they should run at to ensure adequate lubrication.

 

[Qwertyco]

Thanks for the top tips fellas, I'll take onboard !

Motor got lost in the post apparently, another has been despatched today,
good job the seller has a lot of them for sale!