2005 Air Compressor Kobalt - 1
| - Ingersoll Rand Electric Stationary Air Compressor - 3 HP, 10.3 CFM @ 135 PSI, 230 Volt, Model# SS3 | |
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by Ingersoll Rand  Tank Size: 60 gallon vertical Max PSI: 135 PSI PSI: 11.3 CFM @ 90 PSI; 10.3 CFM @ 135 PSI Volts: 230 Volts Motor: 3 HP with thermal overload and manual reset - single phase motorfound in SS3L3's description: Product Description Maximum air power! More delivered air (CFM) gives you the power to do the job right and in less time. found in SS3L3's reviews: A cheap way to get more CFM... but its still cheap. - This air compressor is identical to my Ingersoll Rand SS3L3 compressor that I purchased through Northern Tool in the early summer of 2005. This is the first air compressor that I have ever owned, so it was a learning experience from the start. It is recommended that you purchase the IR SS3L3 startup kit as the compressor is delivered to you without any oil in it. When I plugged in the compressor to test it out, I found that the motor continued to run even as the gauge on the tank passed 130 psi. I ran the compressor off and on for several months without any major issues. a little bit of die grinding, I rotated the tires on my car using the impact wrench and air ratchet, I used it to blow dust off my work bench and check the air in my tires on a routine basis. I bought the compressor because I have several project cars, and I would like to begin the serious work of restoring them. Recently, I have been looking at plans for a sandblasting cabinet, and I am starting to doubt that this compressor will stand up to the task of sand blasting for extended periods. Things I have learned about the compressor since its purchase that have led me to this conclusion: 1. (I swap between my compressor and my dryer on the only 230V outlet in my house). This borderline false advertising is similar to peak and RMS power ratings in audio amplifiers, though it is fairly standard operating procedure to rate motors in this fashion. Though it is quieter than a direct drive unit like the 30 gallon compressors sold at most hardware stores, 3450 RPM is still quite fast. With the pulley ratios, the compressor crank spins at 1200 RPM. Heavier duty systems might have the AC motor running at 1200-1750 RPM with the compressor running at ~700 RPM or less, resulting in a much quieter setup. There is apparently no available rebuild kit for the compressor itself, according to the local IR dealer, though they do sell gaskets and the oiling kit. It is a two cylinder, single stage compressor. The "valves" in the head are what I believe are called "reed valves", which are simply spring loaded "fingers" that cover holes in the cylinder head, and they move with the blowing/sucking of air as the pistons move in the cylinders (no mechanical actuation of the valves). The compressor can run fairly hot, especially when pressurizing the tank from zero pressure. I would like to add an intercooler in line to the tank as the compressed air is quite hot, and I think the compressor itself could use some more cooling. I bought some copper to fab up a larger heat sink for the compressor housing, though I haven't made it yet. The flywheel on the compressor is designed to move air over the unit, but I still think the design needs improvement. This makes me want to install a condensor between the compressor and tank). Copper tubing is used to route compressed air from the compressor to the tank, and I think some improvements could be made there, as well. One could remove the compressor to change the oil, but a better soultion would be to insert a ball valve in the oil drain plug for easy draining. IR sells the SS5L5, which uses the same 60 gallon tank, but a 5 HP split phase 3450 RPM motor running a different two piston single stage compressor. My biggest complaints are the use of the split phase motor, the relatively cheap design of the compressor (aluminum rods and lack of rod bearings), the flimsy pressure switch, and the cheap fittings used all over the machine. I will continue to use this unit for some time, but I am already considering either building my own low RPM, true 4-5 HP air compressor from various parts suppliers, or just purchasing a new one from a company like Eaton Compressor. Like houses, I think good advice for someone looking to buy an air compressor is "buy the most you can afford". I for one like the idea of a compressor running at a quiet 750 RPM at a mere 73 dBa, as opposed to my high revving 1200 RPM SS3L3. Meanwhile, my criticisms of this unit are based on what I'd like to see in a compressor, that is all. |
2005 Air Compressor Kobalt - 1