Hey AX,

I saw your suggestion on the Puma Compressor. I was looking at another one at HF that seems to have higher CFM at a little less price. I was wandering if i could get your opinon on this one

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92504

I have learned a lot from many of your posts.

Barry

 

Rusty, you can use a 3.5 HP motor, just need the right sheave to slow down the compressor. Grainger sells the same pump with several different motors (HP), they just use sheaves to change the pump RPM. You obviously won't get the full CFM, but maybe good enough. The "5 HP" from a 3.5 is BS, but that doesn't mean it isn't a good motor when properly applied.

To add to the voltage confusion, 208 volts is two-phase which most homes don't have available, but that really spins a motor over. I did like Randy, bought a 50-amp range plug/outlet and use those for all my heavy stuff (welder, compressor)

 

I bought the 5hp compressor from hf says it takes a 5hp motor. I got a 100 gal tank that will sit outside my garage but the compressor and motor will be inside my garage mounted on a stand. 230 will run on 220. Just make sure it is a 1 phase motor not a 3 phase. 3 phase needs 3 hot wires in your main box. 1phase only needs 2 hot wires. 1 phase ele. is what run dryers, ovens, water heaters etc. DO NOT buy a 3 phase compressor. It would cost me 1500 dollars to have 3 phase put in my garage. ............RUSTY

 

The amount of power a pump needs is proportional to its RPM. So if you are set on buying a 3.5 HP motor, just sheave it so the pump turns 3/5 the specified RPM.

 

Note that there are 2 different 220V (or 230 if you wish) outlets and plugs. one is rated at 30A and the other 50A. Read the plate on your motor or in the instructions to see which circuit is required for your motor or compressor. NEVER switch the plug or install the wrong one on your unit, or you'll be creating a fire waiting to happen. 220V is not something a novice should mess with, it WILL kill you. Depending on the size of the service coming into your house, the amount of 220V appliances you are already running and the distance from your panelbox to the compressor location, an electrician may charge you from <100.00 to 500.00 to run you a new circuit. First thing to do is look in your panel box and see how many 220V breakers (reconizable by the fact they look like two breakers with a bridge across the two switch handles, and each will be marked with 30 or 50 on them. Don't count the main breaker if it isn't separate from the rest) are already installed and if there are any additional spaces for new breakers and circuits. If the panel is full, and/or you are using electric heat/AC, hot water, range, and dryer you may be at max capacity for your service, in which case you may want to go the route I did, I had a separate meter and service panel installed in my garage to handle any and all my present and future power needs there. If you are comfortable working with electricity and your zoning board allows it you can run your own circuit. I had the electrician put in the meter and panel box and the bare minimum circuits required to pass inspection, then ran all my own circuits after that. I did work for a summer between college symesters as an electrician's helper, so I'm familiar with the correct way to do it safely.

 

Thanks for the education fellas! The tips and info are much appreciated!

I just wanted to make sure this wasnt going to be like most of my projects where I tell the wife "Its simple, all I need to do is get a _____"

Then it turns out that it wasnt that simple and I now have to explain why I also have to buy a ______(Fill in the blank). She pretty much knows the drill by now, but it always helps speed up the processwhen I know what challenges are coming in advance!

Ya gotta pick your battles!!

 

I suggest that you pick up one of the DIY books on holusehold wiring and educate yourself as a starting point. Check out the book section at a Lowes, Home Depot or whatever you have. After spending some time with the book and looking at your main fuse box, decide wether you are comfortable with the DIY approach

 

If you put a 3400 rpm motor on a 1450 rpm compressor what size pulley would you need on the motor .............RUSTY

 

depends on the size pulley on the compressor.

simple proportion: 1450/3400 = motor pulley diameter/compressor pulley diameter