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Greg AZ
07-16-2002 08:47:28
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Re: DeVilbiss 60 gal air compressor in reply to Andy, 07-10-2002 18:57:36
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I have a ten horsepower Quincy compressor, wired with #8 wire and hooked to a 50 amp breaker. The motor is rated at 41 amps at full load, and pulls 28 amps at 120 psi. I talked to several electricians (avoid union electricians like the plague, or you will spend thousands on a simple job)and finally found one with good old not-so-common sense who advised me correctly and in language that I could understand. Although I have done a considerable amount of electrical work for myself, there were components necessary with this large compressor that were foreign to me, especially magnetic starters. Most electricians I spoke with stated flatly that I could not power a ten horsepower motor with single phase 220 and be able to afford the power bill. Their theory, probably correct, was that one needed to figure two to three times nameplate amps for starting amps. That meant that my 41 amp motor would require 123 amps to start! The truth is that although it may require 123 amps to start, that high amperage is only required for a fraction of a second and then it's over. Then, the good old union electrician tried to sell me a 500 dollar magnetic starter to make the motor run. I went to a compressor shop and bought a used one for $35. Works great. Bottom line is that I have a ten horse compressor, running on single phase 220, with a 50 amp breaker. Runs fine, runs cool, costs about $5 a month to run. Do your research, use common sense, and when something somebody tells you doesn't sound right to you, ask somebody else. Research is fine, but it can drive you nuts. Good luck and enjoy your big compressor. All the best.....Greg
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