Climate Control Air Compressor for Shop Use

TimBuck2 · Mar 31, 2015

I have a lead on an air compressor designed for a large building climate control system (my understanding is it provides pneumatic pressure to operate dampers and such) for a low cost.

These are designed to work with lower RPM (longer life ?) and to let minimal oil to tank. This particular machine has 2 1 hp piston compressors mounted on a 30 gallon tank, and two air driers.

My main interest is the price and the air driers. I don't know the output rate, but I assume it is sufficient for my uses (air tools, spray paint, maybe a plasma cutter some day).

My main concern is the maximum pressure is 100 psi. That is probably sufficient for whatever I might use it for.

Any thoughts regarding the utility of such a machine for a shop would be appreciated.

KennyG · Mar 31, 2015

The typical instrument air compressor system is intended to run constantly and provide moisture and oil free air. Sounds like a really good deal. Take a close look at the control system. The systems I have worked with are much larger, but the compressors motors never shut off unless they are manually shut down. When set pressure is reached, a bypass is opened (to "unload" the compressor) and it continues to run. This requires a large vent line and makes a lot of noise.

RPW · Mar 31, 2015

Other thing is the cfm of the compressor. Might have the PSI but not the volume.

tjcarguy · Mar 31, 2015

100 psi is not enough for proper impact tools --- Trevor

roadhunter · Mar 31, 2015

tjcarguy said:
100 psi is not enough for proper impact tools --- Trevor

What pressure do you recommend for running air tools?

KennyG · Mar 31, 2015

If it has 2 x 1 hp compressors, that should give you around 5 or 6 scfm at 100 psi. As long as the lines are not too long, most air tools should be fine at 100 psi.

George2615 · Mar 31, 2015

We have several of these type air compressors at work for climate control equipment. They operate dampers and air operated motor actuators at low pressure. Our tanks maintain about 90-100 PSI and is regulated down to a constant 25 PSI supply to various units. The devices the air operates are usually computer controlled to run from 0-12 PSI.
To use this compressor in your garage you may have to raise the PSI setting to operate your air tools. You would also have to replace the relief valve on the tank with one rated for the higher PSI setting. I believe our tanks have a 125 lb. relief. If you raise the PSI setting to 125-150 you should install a 175PSI relief. The 100 PSI setting will operate most air tools. you would have to try it out before raising the pressure setting.

varmint · Mar 31, 2015

As for impact tools, consider that air lines will have some pressure drop, and an impact wrench, for example, might need more than 95psi to break free a fastener... and some air tools really consume a lot of air. A HVLP spray gun might need a lot, but only at 45psi.

TimBuck2 · Mar 31, 2015

I went to see the system and have Serial numbers for the compressor heads. I have contacted the manufacturer to see if they can tell me the max. rated operating PSI and the air output rate at various PSI.

In the end, this may be worth getting for a bit less money and replacing those compressors with a more standard shop-type compressor.

I will post the result.

Tim

Bird · Mar 31, 2015

roadhunter said:
What pressure do you recommend for running air tools?

Nearly ALL air tools are RATED at 90 psi. Lower pressure (within reason) simply means less power. Smaller diameter hoses do the same thing. Higher pressure means more power, but MAY (not always) result in more wear and a shorter life for an air tool. I think most mechanics run 150-175 psi.