I did the "Search" option on this Forum and didn't find the answer that I was looking for: is it better to buy a 230 volt compressor as compared to a 115? I understand the amp draw is lower on the 230 volt for the equivalent HP motor. I already know that I want an iron,belt driven, two stage, oil usin' compressor but I don't know if I need a 230 volt or not. It seems like a pain in the butt to wire in a 230 outlet to my fuse panel, but maybe not??? The only "quality" compressors in this area are Emglos or Ingersol Rands, otherwise it is a Sears (I think they just rebrand Campbell Hausfelds) but the local Sears tools manager pissed me off so I don't want to buy from them, a childish attitude, I know. Anyway, 230 or 115 volt? Thanks for any help!!
AK Ford

 

>I did the "Search" option on this Forum and didn't find the
>answer that I was looking for: is it better to buy a 230
>volt compressor as compared to a 115? I understand the amp
>draw is lower on the 230 volt for the equivalent HP motor.
>I already know that I want an iron,belt driven, two stage,
>oil usin' compressor but I don't know if I need a 230 volt
>or not. It seems like a pain in the butt to wire in a 230
>outlet to my fuse panel, but maybe not???

You must not have searched very hard... There is lots of info here. There are only four pages and you can search them with your eyeballs also. There is a direct answer for your question in the following topic:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID75/259.html

There are links there that will take you top many other relevant topics etc.



>The only
>"quality" compressors in this area are Emglos or Ingersol
>Rands, otherwise it is a Sears (I think they just rebrand
>Campbell Hausfelds) but the local Sears tools manager pissed
>me off so I don't want to buy from them, a childish
>attitude, I know.

It is not childish, it is the only way a consumer has to "punish" or fight back against a store chain for hiring idiots for employees, or having bad store policies. I havent shopped at Sears for 20 years due to some idiotic policies. I havent shopped at Wards for almost as many and now they are gone, Sears is dying. I guess enough other people didn't like their policies either. My father was a retailer and he always tought me the customer is always "right". Of course he is out of business now too. The trick is compromise and negotiation.

>Anyway, 230 or 115 volt?

230V



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Thanks for the info! Actually, I did find that exact Post but I guess I was looking for a more "in depth" answer if possible. I also saw your (I think it was yours) chart on the HP of the motor and the amp draw. I have enough info to make the decision for me from what I have read here, thanks again!!

 

GO 230v if you can!!!!!!!!!
My opinion..................Jeff
More power har har har har power!

 

Yeah... Watch those "Fake" HP ratings. It comes from breakdown torque but a motor can only produce that type of torque for a very short time. The last time I looked it still takes "Real" continuous HP to compress air.

Like I said... Go 230V.

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Definately go with 230V and avoid any unit using a 3450RPM motor.
Those are what we call Cheater motors. They use rotor lock amps to calculate HP rather then actually dyno specs. In essence a 3450 5HP motor is only equivilent to a 2.5-3 HP 1728 RPM dyno tested motor.
Another clue if the unit is a cheater unit is the CFM (cubic feet per min) output rating.
As an example, Any decent 5HP pump will put out 18 CFM or more At 100PSI. The '@100PSI' rating is important, as pressure increases the pumps ability to produce flow decreases, as pressure decreases the pump can produce more flow. When shopping you will see specs like 5HP 25cfm @40psi, laugh and walk away, cause at 100psi this unit might produce 12cfm of air flow no where near what a 'real' 5hp can put out. If you plan on using tools like a die grinder or a 1/2 impact gun a true 3HP 12CFM@100PSI unit will just keep up to light use. If you plan on heavy tool useage or doing body work then opt for a real 5HP or better unit.
Hope this helps you make a more informed purchase.

Tom.

 

Thanks, that actually does help. Only problem is that my choice is limited to either Ingersoll Rand or an Emglo unless I want to pay A LOT for shipping. I will just have to keep my eyes open for a good deal. Thanks again!

 

Check some garage sells. Ask around. I have been looking for a Compressor for a little while now. I had been telling my friends and family what I was going to get. It isn't any where near a GREAT compressor but it would work for what I had in mind. Well Was going to go get it this next weekend (Nov.9) well My Dad called me last Sunday Oct. 27, and told me his freind had one that he wasn't using. I said well ok what does he want for it? My dad tells me to come out and look at it and then talk to him about price.

I go out to look thinking this is going to be a waste of time. The whole if he is getting rid of it thing. Well looked at it thought no biggie. Guy didn't even know if it would work or not. so we took it to his shop and him and my dad start running wire to hook it up. I am think what the HECK??? Well come to find out it is a 230 volt high duty rated compressor with a little ole 20 gallon tank. I get to talking to Carroll(my Dads friend), by the way he is one heck of a body man, he has used it to do countless #'s of car bodies running DA's, Body Files, Die grinders, etc. all with never having to wait for the pressure to build back up. By this point I am hooked. Ask him how much? After we found out it was working. He tells me $50.00. I say sold. I had to get a few thing for it, and it has a few leaks I need to run down. But all in all It is a great compressor. All the other stuff I bought for it I would have had to buy for a new one also so I got a really good deal in my opinion.

I have spent a total of $90 so far on it. $20 of which could have been saved if I had waited and went to Wal-Mart instead of ACE hardware. But, I am still happy with waht I got.


My whole point to this is Look around someone knows someone with one they just don't know it yet.


Scotty

 

Good advice!


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This year i got a new C.H. 6.5 60 gal tank 230V motor. The large tank is great. Takes care of my shop needs well. Highly recomend 230V for anything other then portable units.

 

is it better to buy a 230 volt compressor as compared to a 115?

With air compressors, bigger is better. I've got a 6.5hp, 80 gal, 17 cfm@175psi compressor and it's great. You definatly get what you pay for when you buy a compressor.