Air compressor questions

[samger2]

So I'm thinking of putting my air compressor in the basement since I have an attached garage and just running the air hose up into the garage. My question though, is it better to run some sort of copper tubing from the compressor into a wall mounted plate in the garage and then run my hose from that? If so, what type of tubing is recommended? Any ideas are welcomed!

And furthermore, we only have a half basement, so I'd have to run the tubing probably a good 20-25 feet to the opposite side of the basement so I could have the hose on my work side of the garage. I assume that extra 25ft would cut down on the psi........would it be a noticable drop?

 

[samger2]

And I just realized I should've posted this in the "tools and garages" section. Can a mod tow it over for me or is it ok here?

 

[RCman]

My compressor is located at one end of the house and plumbed to several drops throughout it. The entire system is plumbed with 1/2" type L copper. The furthest run (~45ft of tube) has very minimal drop at 90psi. I see about a 2-3 psi drop from what the compressor reads to what is actual output is and that is within the margin of error of the gauges.

 

[ChicksDigWagons]

Go as big as you can on that 25ft run. While you could get away with 3/8", I'd go at least 1/2" or better yet larger. Also, use the largest whip possible off the compressor. Hydraulic hose is popular because you can get it in larger diameter sizes readily and it'll handle the pressure just fine.

You'll not only reduce pressure drop with your high-volume tools - but you'll get a perk of added volume. That said, in larger sizes you may find that black pipe is more cost effective than copper.

 

[Ghost]

Most around here use plastic pipe.

 

[ChicksDigWagons]

Most around here use plastic pipe.

Ever seen PVC explode? Not pretty at all.

 

[Jeepman401]

Not PVC, its more like PEX. It works, and its easier to run than hard line.

That being said, I use black iron for mine

 

[ChicksDigWagons]

Not PVC, its more like PEX. It works, and its easier to run than hard line.

That being said, I use black iron for mine

Ahh, I've seen that done. They even have kits. 1/2" Blue soft plastic stuff. I'd try running that I think for short runs. Easy to work with, just press fittings. Though I'd worry about the press fittings leaking... I may try it in my new shop.

 

[Ghost]

Ever seen PVC explode? Not pretty at all.

Nope never been a problem with anyone I have seen that had it to my knowledge.

 

[RCP Phx]

Plastic pipe comes in alot of different ratings(class 125 is one of the lower rated ones),but a schedule 40 will handle anything most compressors can put out.Its used all the time in industrial process piping.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pvc-cpvc-pipes-pressures-d_796.html

 

[WebDog]

I have my compressor in the back room for noise control, and about 40ft of 1/2" air hose. No issues with pressure or volume, just make sure you run a good air filter / dryer. I also have a auto bleed on the compressor so every time the pump kicks on and off it purges the tank of moisture.

 

[samger2]

Thanks for all the responses. Finally got it all wired up last night but decided against putting it in the basement.

 

[DieselSJ]

Plastic pipe comes in alot of different ratings(class 125 is one of the lower rated ones),but a schedule 40 will handle anything most compressors can put out.Its used all the time in industrial process piping.
http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/pvc-cpvc-pipes-pressures-d_796.html

Something I didn't see in there is temp vs strength. PVC is rated at 75 degrees. By the time ambient temp gets over 100 it loses somewhere between 1/3 and 1/2 of its rating. We had some 2" stuff blow apart at a shop I worked at in north San Diego county one summer. It made a big boom and thousands of small sharp pieces of PVC spraying everything that was in that room. I would NEVER use PVC for air lines after seeing that.

Also, whenever you connect a compressor to a hard line system, use something flexible between the compressor and the hard lines to absorb some of the vibrations.


EDIT - here is the temp vs strength chart. PVC loses 40% of its rating at 100 degrees.

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/thermoplastic-pipes-temperature-strength-d_794.html

 

[samger2]

I'm a bit confused as to which receptacle to purchase to wire it to....there were several at Lowes and I didn't want to get the wrong thing.

 

[RCP Phx]

What compressor did you buy?If its a 120volt you will definately need a dedicated 20amp outlet.

 

[samger2]

I'm sorry I should've posted that info. It's for a 220v compressor...60 gallon. I've actually already got the 10-2 wire ran from the breaker in the basement I just now need to wire it up to an outlet...just not sure what outlet to get.

 

[kastein]

Depends on if the compressor came with a plug attached or not. If it came with one, get the matching receptacle. If it didn't, get an outlet that is rated for 220v single phase operation at the current required. From the 10 gauge wiring I am assuming a 30 amp breaker. You want a NEMA 6-30 outlet (220V, 30 amp, single phase, grounded) for that service.

This should help: http://www.stayonline.com/reference-nema-straight-blade.aspx

 

[samger2]

No, no attached plug. Thank you very much for the info and the link!

 

[RCP Phx]

The larger compressors are intended to be "hard wired",meaning NO receptacle.

 

[samger2]

The larger compressors are intended to be "hard wired",meaning NO receptacle.

Hmmm...now I'm getting dueling answers. That's how I HAD it wired, but was told that it's best to wire a plug and an outlet.