Compressors in parallel?

[Nero]

I wimped out and bought a 12mth old abac 17cfm for $400.....reasonably quiet.

[Ben Wilson]

I gave them a test with a die grinder last night and they seem to work OK, it doesn't look like I'll need a third one.

It seems that about 1 in 3 times when they are both running they trip the breaker on the power board which is fair enough, but, other than that they seem fine.

I've got some pics, but, I've lost my camera cable, I'll work something out tonight.

[GSRman]

well the powerboard should only be rated to 10A.. they probably draw a surge load of either 7 amps. or they constantly run 7 amps and surge 12 or so..

if you can get the pressure switches to come on at different levels, it might stop them coming on together and tripping it out..

[Ben Wilson]

The're coming on at different times, but, the startup current is probably more like 20-30 amps or so (electric motors suck lots of current at low revs). A 15 AMP fuse will handle it OK 'cause it only lasts 1/2 a second or so, but, apparently the curcuit breaker doesn't like it...

A power cord leading to a spare double power point (or a double adapter come to think of it), should be fine.....

[GSRman]

ahhh nice

[Ben Wilson]

I managed to get some pictures of the setup, heres what it looks like:



I was using the unregulated output becuase I was using a die grinder (and becuase I stuffed up when I was buying fittings...)

Here's a closeup of where I joined them:



On the left is the regulated output, on the right is the unregulated one.

I need to do a little more work on the wiring (is making an extension cord warm a bad thing ), but, the package seems to work OK.

[GSRman]

Thats cool and it looks tough too

[tandy ass]

Originally posted by Ben Wilson
I gave them a test with a die grinder last night and they seem to work OK, it doesn't look like I'll need a third one.

It seems that about 1 in 3 times when they are both running they trip the breaker on the power board which is fair enough, but, other than that they seem fine.

I've got some pics, but, I've lost my camera cable, I'll work something out tonight.

bah, just glue the breaker switch down. Your house has fuses for a reason :p

[Zac]

Ben, too damn easy Looks great and good to hear it works well. I was looking at them again today at Bunnings. I'm going to have to do it before they jack up the price!!

[CandyAppleVL]

i bought a gmc compressor a few weeks ago and am thinking of buying another one, are they still working together ok?

[Ben Wilson]

I was out in the shed last night, hammering away with the die grinder. I've found they won't quite keep up with it if you really get into it, but, if you stop every few minutes to let them catch up again, the're fine. Other than that, they seem to be working perfectly.

[Miraz]

Supa cheap auto are doing 2.5HP belt driven compressors for $300 at the moment - much quieter than a brace of smaller direct-drive compressors and able to drive most tools reasonably well.

(If you want to make me an offer for my old compressor though....)

[GSRman]

i'm still plotting my revenge with a huge storage tank..

[CandyAppleVL]

i think im gonna buy 2 more and mount them somewhere in my garage with a soundproof box of some sort around them and and exhaust fan attached to it to remove hot air

i will keep my current one mobile so i can take it other places if need be and when i need the flow of all 3 i will just link them all up accordingly

i get them for about $75 or so thanks to a mate who works at bunnings

i am planning on using them to spray a car or 2 in the next few months

i cant wait to even get one more as a few clicks of the rattle gun gets the pump going again, i need that extra tank space

[Ben Wilson]

I've found I can do a wheel (4 stud) with a rattle gun before they kick in...