Old giant BelAire Compressor to buy or not to buy?

CharlieTR · Sep 2, 2015

Hello out there in tractor land?

I have a rare opportunity to buy a 30 something year old BelAire compressor from a 70 + year old retiring mechanic.
It is about as big as they come for a vertical. I'm sure it's a good old two stage, runs like a top, still mounted on the shipping boards (like 2x4's), and never moves or wobbles around. Not exactly sure how to tell if it's a 3 phase or not. I need to make sure it's 1 phase, I don't want to message with and converter, just for weekend use.

This guy is asking $1000 for it, he paid $1800 brand new.

For me this is a very rare deal, it really too big for me, but I want it. The cash is not going to be easy tho...

Any advise or thing I need to look out for? :confused2:
I'm mostly worried about tank rust.

Thanks!!

kenmac · Sep 2, 2015

If you know the mod. # you can look it up.. I have a 318vn mod 7.5 hp 80 gal tank.. mine is single phase.. I've had mine probably 15 yrs ?. It is a hoss of a compressor.
I think I paid $1000.00 for mine brand new back then... I see on line that my mod. is around $1700 now..

Sorry, I can't answer the question about the integrity of the tank.. I guess it would depend if he kept the tank drained..

CharlieTR · Sep 2, 2015

Thanks, I bet he did take good care of it including the tank water.
Does the 1000 dollar price seem good for a 30+ year old compressor?

kenmac · Sep 2, 2015

I have no idea.. Sounds expensive to me..How used is it ??? Mine hasn't been used much at all... If someone offered my a grand for mine I would sell it.. I would think 500-600 would be a fair price

George2615 · Sep 2, 2015

In my research the Belaire compressors have a noise rating of 66-69 Db.
For about the same price you can get a brand new 2 stage 80 gallon compressor with a low 70 Db rating.
Price seems high for a 30 year old compressor. 30 years is what I got out of my last garage compressor because the bottom of the tank rusted out. And it had an auto blow down for any moisture that may have accumulated in the tank.

techman · Sep 2, 2015

Price is high. I agree $ 500-600 is the right range

paul

RedNeckGeek · Sep 2, 2015

There should be a metal plate somewhere on the motor that will state the horsepower and power requirements (240V 1 phase or 3 phase). If you're lucky there will be a similar plate on the compressor, and the number to look for will be an output rating. It will be something like 15 CFH @ 100 psi. This number can be compared to the consumption value on the air tool you wish to power to see if the compressor has adequate capacity to let the tool run without pauses for the compressor to catch up. With those numbers in hand you can go on Craig's List for your area and see what $1000 will buy. FWIW, I purchased a Speedair about six years ago with the above rating for $400 in the SF Bay Area.

Right now you can see if the company is still in business, and if so, if parts are still available for the motor (like brushes) and compressor. I'd pass on the purchase if there were no source of parts. Also find out if the seller still has the documentation that came with the compressor, like an owner's manual or shop manual. If you can get your hands on the unit, open the tank drain and see what comes out. Rusty water is OK, in fact you WANT to see water come out, as otherwise the drain valve is probably blocked or even rusted shut. I don't know of any way to tell how much rusting has happened inside the tank though, so part of the risk of buying an old compressor is getting a bad tank.

Noise wise, I built an outhouse shaped shed for mine, and I keep the rotary phase converter in there, too. Looks nice, quiets things down, and there'll be a little protection in case the tank does ever let go.:shocked: