7.5 HP air compressor

[aandy767]

Building a new house, and have been looking for a 5 hp two stage, plenty out there.

Found a used 7.5 Hp Bel Aire in great shape for 899.00. 25 cfm at 100 psi

Other than wire size and breaker size, any downside to stepping up? electricity use?

80 gallon tank at 175 psi dose not care if it was put in by 5 or 7.5 hp.

7.5 will run less, but will start up run up the elec bill?

Heck no I don't need 25 cfm. Might be able to get by on 12 or 15 for $600 new.

But I will get a 5 hp two stage in the 15-18 cfm range anyway, 1200-1600 new.

Thoughts

Thanks Andy

 

[sixty]

The 7.5 hp will be within a few percent of the operating cost of a 5hp compressor and might even be better since it will have less chance of heating up and losing efficiency. $899 seems high for a used compressor unless its in good to excellent condition. I would definately get the 7.5 over the 5 if you have the capacity in your panel.

 

[aandy767]

Looks brand new no dust on the thing. Thanks, haven't gone to get it yet.

 

[sixty]

post up some pics if you get it... you'll love the extra air.

 

[cruiserbrett]

7.5 hp? thats bordering on three phase power. I have a 5hp 220v single phase and its a constant 21-22ish amps with about 40 or so on startup(per label plate on motor)

I will agree, buy the biggest compressor you can afford/fit. other than wiring, there really is no down side. I have a curtis 17cfm compressor($300 craigslist find) and its great. keeps up with everything, and for light duty use it almost never kicks on. when it does, it runs for a minute or so, and is quiet.

If I can make a recommendation, I would look into parts and service availibility for the model you are looking at. Even some large name brand compressors are chinese made these days and parts are almost nonexistant. You should be able to rebuild the compressor like an engine. bearings, valves, pistons and rings all are available for good brands. Most quality companies will have pump up times that can diagnose the health of a used compressor. might be worth looking into if the unit is used....

 

[aandy767]

It's a Bel Aire.

Parts are available.

The only down side is rpm, 1270 on the pump. That's much better than the higher speed, low end models, but has me thinking about a Champion w/ a Kellogg pump 400-600 rpm maybe.

Eaton has a slow turner 650 rpm $1500 to your door. Just trying to save a little, and still get a little quality.

A hundred less and I would have already gone to get it. A hundred more I might stumble across a real slow turner.

I'll run a 40 amp circuit. 8 ga wire.

 

[tag3]

I have a 7.5hp, 2 stage, 80gal, and it will run a blast cabinet all day long. Love it. Will even run the gravity feed blaster in the yard no problem.