I just got an older compressor and would like to hook it up in my garage. I know I need a 240v circuit added. When I got the compressor it came with 2 electrical boxes with it. The 1st is a motor starter then a box that says 600v its got 3 15a long fuse in it. Do I need that box? I need to know what is needed to hook this up in my house with it's own line and on off switch mounted on the wall by the comp. Wire size breakers boxes any and all info greatly appreciated!!! Thanks Oh the motor is a 230v 14.2a or 460v 7.1a (I'm not running 460v)

Sorry, you need to call an electrician.

Lol not the response I was looking for. So I've been looking and I've got 3 wires coming out blue blk and red. I think all I need to do is add 240v. Any help?

If this a 3 PH compressor then it's highly unlikly you can use it without an expencive phase convertor.
3 Ph. is used for commercial buildings not residential as general rule. Residential is wired single phase.
3 phase would also require a 2 pole switch that would cost about $100.00.
That "box as you call it may also act as a switch, some have magnetic contactors and a relay inside. Is there a red button on the face of the box?
Likly by the time you pay for all the wiring, phase convertor, you almost could have bought a new compressor that you know will work and just plug into the wiring you have now.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joecaption,

The motor can be wired for 230v. It has a motor starter that feeds the motor then a electrical box that says 600v. Inside the box are 3 15a long fuses. So if the motor can run on 230. Do I still need a phase converter?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: TheJeepMan,

quote:

Originally posted by TheJeepMan:
Lol not the response I was looking for. So I've been looking and I've got 3 wires coming out blue blk and red. I think all I need to do is add 240v. Any help?

Well you may have come across a bargain, but no real reason to risk injury trying to do something dangerous in the process. Would like to help, but safety is paramount...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CommonwealthSparky,

So the suggestions are trade in the motor and get a 1ph motor. Hard wire the new motor and should be good. Not the greatest thing but if its cheaper and easier ill do it. Anything else?

Sure do. If there's three fuses then it's 3 phase. Single phase would only have 2.
Since we still do not have a picture of what you have I'll make a guess that that box is the motor starter, without it the motor will not start.
Look on almost any wire they all say 600 volts, all that means is the wire will carry up to 600 volts, but will only carry a certin amount of amps. The amps. is what determins the wire gauge and circut protection needed. (fuse or breaker)
There's basicly two differant types of phase converters, static and dynamic. Static being the less expecive one but has many draw back for use on a compressor, it derates the HP on the motor and are far more prone to failure. If there's not enough HP to get the motor running up to speed it's useless and will over heat the motor.
One of the many sites that sell phase convertors is MSC It's Manhatten Suppy Company.
What size wire do you have feeding that building, Is there even a sub panel?
I would very strongly suggest you call a real electrition to come out and look at all this for you.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: joecaption,

Sorry for no pics. Doing this from my phone. Thanks for the info it really helping me with this. The one box is the motor starter. The other is the box that says 600 on the box with fuses. And it a residential house standard service.

Not sure why you would want to hard wire it.
Just add a new dedacated 20 amp. single use circut and just plug it in.
It's just an outlet with only one place to plug something into so you do not over load that circut.

What's the plans for use on this compressor?
It's always best to figure out what tools you plan on running before buying one. A huge differance in CFM required going from one nail gun to something like spray painting or sand blasting.

No such thing as standard service.
That could be anything from an old 60 amp service with no ground to a 400 amp. service.
Someone needs to look at the whole picture in order to do this safely.

I've seen far to many times where someone builds a shed or garage and thinks all I need is a few outlets and a few lights and runs such a small line out thinking there saving money on wire, that there's no way to add anything.

Even if you did buy a new motor, the cost would in most cases almost be 1/2 the cost of a new compressor.
And an old compressor tank can be a ticking time bomb, no joke.
Tanks rust from the inside out and there's no way to be able to see inside the tank to check it.
It would have to be static tested to be recertified to be safe to use if it's really old.

It's from 83. The wiring is 100 service with breakers. It's a 80gal horizontal speedaire compressor. As far as air tools sand blasting and auto repair.

That thing is almost 30 years old, not worth a dime in my book. Sorry.
I used to sell and work on Quincy compressor, I've seen to many pictures of what happens when a compressor tank blows. It can level a whole building.
And that not saying anything about avalible repair parts for it.
Most companys will support a product for 10 years if your lucky, 28 years and your going to be hunting around for even basic maintaince items.

Thanks.

I wouldn't even put it on the curb, somebody will pick it up and if they're lucky start the motor on fire with 2-phase power. if not, well, we just had a paper mill shut down when two old production compressors shut down from overheating, and the third one didn't... blew up the tanks by triggering the blow-by oil on fire, which blew out half the mill. several dead. fire crews tried to put out the paper rolls for a couple months. I suspect no maintenance; fire marshal says it happened when cooling water was not getting to the compressors.

take that thing to the scrap yard yourself, then you have a little cash to help pay for a new unit that will run on the power you have.

not to get all "safety nut" on you, but make sure the entire motor/compressor area on whatever you do buy has a nice, heavy expanded metal shield over it all. if not, make one. make it stout. it is known that piston compressors that get too hot, run out the oil, had a casting flaw, whatever blow up real good. shrapnel. keep that inside the shield if it happens.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,

When getting rid of old compresser tanks we were required to remove all the fittings and cut a huge hole in the tank with a cutting torch so it would not be reused.

There is nothing wrong with this tank. So I need to know about getting a 3ph to 1ph converter for a 5hp motor. Any help on that? I think I need a static converter.

you could start looking in the Grainger catalog, but I'm thinking that you can start budgeting $3000-5000 for that piece of wonderment.

guy, really, it can't be that hard to get to a menards, harbor freight, northern tool, TSC, whatever and get a 240 volt compressor off the floor for $400-600, and be done with this. trying to get that maybe-good, maybe-deadly old chunk of castoff iron running is going to cost you more than it is worth, by a factor of ten.

had a couple of work buddies who decided to share a compressor hooked to an old water heater between their shops. first guy, OK for a little job. second guy, the thing exploded, mangled his good arm and hand, and a year and a half later he tossed in the towel and retired early because he couldn't even scratch his nose any more. air is compressible (duh) and high pressure is dangerous. relatively new compressors in process control explode all the time, usually taking out the tech adjusting them.

I may be a safety niza, but get the right tool. last guy who said, "There Is. NOTHING. WRONG. With. This!" was the guy who sold me my house. with 7 no-trip FPE breakers in it, doing the same job as a piece of angle iron instead of a breaker. that phrase makes me back up two steps and put on goggles....

This message has been edited. Last edited by: swschrad,