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Converting A/C compressor to air compressor

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david

01-29-2001 09:11:01

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I have an old Carrier 2 cylinder, single stage compressor that was an air conditioning compressor. I expect it is from the 40's or 50's. It looks like the newer industrial 2 cylinder compressors (in a 'V' configuration) and is very heavy. Would this make a reliable air compressor for a small shop? I have attached an electric motor to it and allowed it to spin freely for short durations. It seems to me that it should work great, but, before I hook it up to pressurize a tank I wanted to throw this out to everyone to see if they had any cautions or other ideas.

Also, does anyone know where I can get specs or more information on an old piece of equipment like this?

Thanks for all inputs.

David

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Rusty 2N

01-30-2001 18:58:52

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

The boss& I were talking about doing this just the other day For the trap wagon (field maint. truck. I asked about the oil & he said that some farmer out here has been running one for years & lubes with 90W , to thick to get past the seal (?). Would this be to heavy a lubricant? I guess we'll find out.

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T_Bone

01-30-2001 21:20:43

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Re: Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to Rusty 2N, 01-30-2001 18:58:52

Hi Rusty, To heavy of oil during the winter time and I don't think it will slash up to the wrist pin bearing on the piston but should work during the summer time. Once you drain the refer oil out a good 30w oil should work just great and without using alot. Also gear oil is going to add some oder to the air.

T_Bone

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Greg Martin

01-30-2001 18:55:53

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

My service truck is an old dodge power wagon, I used the ac compressor, piped it to a tank in the bed, put a pressure switch for 125#, turn on the ac switch, and I can 30 galons of air in 3 minutes, it cuts back in at 90#. used it for 3 years, no problems yet. You ought to see my winch, It is a 4 cyl , front wheel drive chevrolet cavalear engine and transaxle mounted in the backof my boom truck, Start the motor, put it in drive, release either the left or right caliper [ it has 2 drums, made out of the wheels w\o tires], when the load is up , put it in park, Crude but sure gets a lot of stares..... ..... .Greg

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Greg Martin

01-30-2001 18:54:28

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

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T_Bone

01-30-2001 21:09:20

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Re: Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to Greg Martin, 01-30-2001 18:54:28

I bet the price was right tho!

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Franz

01-29-2001 23:18:14

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

Been there, done that, ran it for 10 years, with a water seperator between the compressor and the tank. The seperator made it real easy to keep a check on the crankcase oil.
When it finally croaked, I did some math, and figured out real quick it was more cost effective to buy myself a new Champion air compressor jug, considering running time and cost of electricity. The deal boils down to how many hours a week you run the compressor, and what kind of recovery you need. Depending on where you are, air compressors go by pretty cheap.

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T_Bone

01-29-2001 15:23:50

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

Hi david, they work just fine. You'll need to keep track of the oil level as they do use a bit until you get all the refer oil out. I use 30w motor oil and it works well. It really doesn't matter what oil you use. Most of them have a oil drain so it would be wise to drain the refer oil. Depending on what model you have, you will get atleast 150psi plus easy so be sure and use a pressure switch with a relief valve. There also should be a oil sight glass on the crankcase.

Keep the rpm on the compressor under 1000 for longer life if belt driven. Also use a intake filter.

T_Bone

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Paul

01-29-2001 11:42:11

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

I have an old compressor that was used in a large cooling unit in a grocery store. It's two cylinder, single stage (maybe they all are?), has about a 24 inch diameter double belt flywheel. I put a 1 horse motor on it, check valve, used a switch that was part of the refrig. unit for a pressure switch, and installed it on a 30 gallon tank made from a propane tank. It pumps 100 PSI and is protected with 125 popoff. I tested the tank to 165 PSI. This thing has worked reliably for 25 years. I think it might recover a little slower than a commercial one - I was conservative on the pump RPMs. This one has a crankcase with a screw-in dipstick to check the oil level. It says "Miller" on a name tag. I put a 3 gallon tank made out of a 5" dia. pipe in line preceding the 30 gallon tank, with a valve between the two tanks. This allows the compressor to give me 100 PSI in about a half minute, since most of my use is for small light jobs like airing up a tire or cleaning small stuff with a blow gun. I don't leave it turned on unless I'm using it, and I seldom use the 30 gallon tank unless I'm painting or using an air tool. I like it well enough for my little shop, and it's too heavy to loan out. .

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Big Jake

01-29-2001 10:49:17

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

An air conditioner is a closed loop system that pumped it's lubricating oil thru system along with
the refrigerant. Now if you break open the system
& connect high side to storage tank or air chuck
or what ever then you are going to exhaust alot of
your lubricating oil out. I would expect this to lead to premature pump failure.

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john d

01-29-2001 10:13:46

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

My Dad and I took one off an old refrigeration unit that was on a semi-trailer that was being scrapped. We got the thing in the mid 1960's so it had some age on it then. We put some check valves on it, a 2hp motor, and set a pressure switch to shut it off at 50 lbs or so. It's had intermittent duty now for almost 35 years and is still going!

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hillbilly

01-29-2001 09:51:16

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Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to david, 01-29-2001 09:11:01

David;
I have used a refrigeration compressor for an air compressor. I used an old belt driven compressor off an old milk cooler that was used to cool milk cans I don't know if you remember those days. I have also used air conditioning compressors off old Ford cars. The cautions that come to mind are haveing a good strong tank with pop off valve ect.If you use an electric motor to drive it you can install a pressure switch and it will work like a store bought one. Check for correct rotation on the compressor. Mine worked good untill I could afford to buy the real thing.

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Taylor Lambert

01-29-2001 18:48:24

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Re: Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to hillbilly, 01-29-2001 09:51:16

This is the first type comressor ever used on this hillside i remember dad making it and having the tank under the work table.a few months ago i took it out of storage and mounted it to my Cubs draw bar then hooked it to the v belt pulley I have a 30 gallon air tank that i presurize up to 180 psi then run the air into a pressure rated drum or tank i spray my lawns and fruit trees. and when i hook it to my homemade nozzle I can send a 5/16 stream 70 feet. i keep it handy when burning brush or sage grass

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Old Sparky

01-29-2001 18:46:15

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Re: Re: Converting A/C compressor to air compressor in reply to hillbilly, 01-29-2001 09:51:16

I had 2 of these small compressors and one big tank. Powered each compressor with its own motor and piped both to the one tank. Used 2 pole pressure switch with 240 volts and used one pole for each 120 volt compressor motor. It no longer belongs to me, but has been used for 42 years. T-Bone is right about the filter. Suggestions: Old filter from 1 cylinder engines or use Chev V-8 oil filter which fits on pipe thread if I remember correctly. The oil filter is fine for air. Install the filter with the open holes down.

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