Air Compressor Advice - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

123c · #1 10-29-2009, 12:56 AM

I am all moved into my new place, and I need a new air compressor. I don't have a lot of room, and have been looking at the Hitachi EC89, which is a 1.9HP, 4 Gallon compressor. I am debating if it will be big enough to do what I need it to do, which is inflating tires, and running the impact wrench and die grinder every once in a while.

The other ones I am looking at is bigger and costs less, but isn't as well built.

compress ignite · #2 10-29-2009, 01:36 AM

135 PSI MAX (Enough to run the Air Tools moderately)
Oil Lubed Cast Iron cylinder

Your children will get tired of it...After you will it to them.

$199.00 + @ Lowe's

Hitachi EC89,

jubjub · #3 10-29-2009, 08:24 AM

You need more cfm. I have that same compressor for my nail guns. If will fill tires. It will do the impact gun barely. It will not run the die grinder. You'd need one twice the size, unless you plan on running the grinder for 5-10 seconds at a time

tankdriver · #4 10-29-2009, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jubjub

You need more cfm. I have that same compressor for my nail guns. If will fill tires. It will do the impact gun barely. It will not run the die grinder. You'd need one twice the size, unless you plan on running the grinder for 5-10 seconds at a time

X2

123c · #5 10-29-2009, 10:51 AM

I think I will get a CH compressor, that is the same price, and is 20 Gallon. I have a feeling it might be going on clearance, so I can pick it up cheap. I know there are a few Kobalt compressors on clearance, but I see way to many of them being returned.

kerry · #6 10-29-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jubjub

You need more cfm. I have that same compressor for my nail guns. If will fill tires. It will do the impact gun barely. It will not run the die grinder. You'd need one twice the size, unless you plan on running the grinder for 5-10 seconds at a time

X3

dhjenkins · #7 10-29-2009, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123c

I think I will get a CH compressor, that is the same price, and is 20 Gallon. I have a feeling it might be going on clearance, so I can pick it up cheap. I know there are a few Kobalt compressors on clearance, but I see way to many of them being returned.

Just an FYI - CH makes all of the Husky and Kobalt compressors for Home Depot & Lowes.

KarTek · #8 10-29-2009, 11:59 AM

You might want to check the local CL or ebay. About 20 years ago I bought a Sanborn Magna Force compressor from a guy for $75. (it was already old then)

Belt dreve, 1.5HP, 12 gallons or so and it has performed very well with no maintenance since then. I've painted cars with it and done most other air related tasks with no problems.

It has wheels and takes up about 3 sq. ft. of floor space.

It's actually identical to this one!

http://cgi.ebay.com/NICE-SANBORN-2-HP-ELETRIC-AIR-COMPRESSOR-0328_W0QQitemZ170399514120QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27ac9a3e08

thorsen · #9 10-29-2009, 12:02 PM

You haven't mentioned the CFM ratings which are far more important than HP or tank size.

mgburg · #10 10-29-2009, 12:07 PM

On any of those compressors, get the parts list and second-source the relay that starts the compressor motor...

Odds are, THAT relay is under-rated.

I had a CH a few years back...it was at an unattended transmitter site. It was used to pressure-feed a line-dryer system (about 3psi post-regulator...the compressor was suppose to keep between 80-120 psi feeding the line-drying system itself...)

Anyways, I got a call from the landlord who owned the site...here's how the conversation went after I answered the phone...

LL: "Your compressor has been running for 2 days now and I thought maybe I should give you a call about it. It should have turned off by now. Eh?"

ME: (*Thinking...VERY SILENTLY* - "No 5hit Sherlock!") "It's still running?!?!?!" (My voice going UP at the end of the sentence...)

LL: "Would you like me to go in the building and..."

ME: "Yah! Yah! Head in and unplug the sucker!!! I'm on my way up there...see ya' in 'bout 90 minutes!!!"

I get to the site, walk in the building, LL is nowhere to be seen (fine by me) and there's over 85psi still in the tank...but the "pop-off" valve, that's suppose to have a little "pull-ring" on it, was apparently working so well, that as it was "popping-off" - the little ring ACTUALLY WORE the hole it was threaded through, just enough, that it was laying on the ground under the compressor.

I plugged the compressor back in and it immediately turned on and started filling the tank...and filling the tank and filling the tank...ad nauseum...and instead of shutting off at 120psi...it kept going 'til 135psi, where the pop-off valve finally kicked in and did its thing...and it continued 'til I unplugged the compressor.

Upon investigation, the problem turned out to be the contacts on the motor relay...they burnt together. The relay contacts were rated for a 0.5hp/single-phase/120VAC motor. The CH Compressor had a 2HP/SP/120VAC MOTOR.

Fortunately, this was a Monday, the local AC/DC Wiring Warehouses were open, and I eventually (a STROKE OF LUCK, more likely!) found a relay that had contacts that could handle a 3HP/SP/120VAC motor. And the damn thing fit right where the puked-relay was parked!

$20 later and a compressor-head oil change, I had the unit back up and running, although the "pop-off valve" ring couldn't be re-attached and believe it or not, no one had that valve size in town. I eventually ended up "JB-Welding" the ring onto the stem of the valve and the unit is now sitting, quietly, at its new home at the 3rd transmitter site for that station.

LESSON: Check the components in those things to be sure that they can handle, at least, the minimum of what's required of them. Cheap 5hit can cost you some really BIG MONEY if you don't have (eventually) a nosy-neighbor or land-lord.

BTW, I've switched over to bottled-Nitrogen, for keeping our transmission lines dry inside...I got tired of having to swap out the "used" discant for a fresh batch of "new and blue," then taking the "grayed" stuff home to "bake it" every other week or two...that's a chore you DON'T give to the lady of the house...

Don't even ask!

Mistress · #11 10-29-2009, 01:54 PM

Just put your lips together and blow.

123c · #12 03-03-2010, 10:37 AM

I just picked up a 4 gallon Porter Cable air compressor yesterday from a co-worker. It should be able to do what I need it to do!

JollyRoger · #13 03-03-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123c

I think I will get a CH compressor, that is the same price, and is 20 Gallon. I have a feeling it might be going on clearance, so I can pick it up cheap. I know there are a few Kobalt compressors on clearance, but I see way to many of them being returned.

The Craftsmen 20 gallon I bought at Sears for 280 bucks has been phenomenal. I have not had a single problem running any air tool except for my big pad sander, it works but it starts out running the compressor if you're sanding a really big area. Probably the same machine. I have noticed a big jump in my electrical bill tho during months when I am using the crap out of it.

300SD81 · #14 03-03-2010, 11:35 PM

Apparently the 8 gallon, 2HP Harbor Freight air compressor actually has a decent reliability if you keep it oiled. Did some research before I bought mine for $70 on sale, and it gets plenty of abuse...

123c · #15 03-04-2010, 10:23 PM

The little Porter Cable unit I got works great! It kept tripping the breaker because it draws 15 amps, at first I thought something was wrong with it. The 2HP motor on the thing is huge, almost the same size as the tank!