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Full of Hot Air

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Categories: Projects and equipment; Commerce and business;

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Capital investments keep a business up-to-date and functioning properly. Such investments are usually costly, hence the name. I have had the same air compressor, my first one, since 1988. The pressure relief cut-off valve stopped working so it bleeds air except when charging. Though it is an Ingersoll Rand, the part is no longer available. I can jimmyrig something but haven't as of yet.

Even when it gets fixed, it is too small for me now. It is a kick-ass compressor: 5hp, single phase, 220V, 60 gallon, 11cfm @ 90psi, 100% duty cycle, and it looks new. When fixed it should sell for nearly what I paid (in absolute dollars several decades ago).

I'm looking to double my air capacity. That entails a costly upgrade. Without three-phase power, a rotary phase converter will set you back $1000 or so. However, it could be used on lots of different equipment. Decisions now will affect much in the future.

Another option is to fix and keep the existing one, get another equivalent one, and hook them in tandem. Or buy two new ones and do the same. It would take up more floor space, which is at a premium, and I'd still have air should one fail.

A third option is acquiring a large air storage tank. It wouldn't boost my outright air capacity but it would increase the usable time at the flow and pressure required. They take up as much as a compressor and it's questionable whether they are economical enough. Does the space and cost justify it?

I've been looking for the past year to get an idea of what's out there. Living in the Vermont boonies makes it harder. The options are not only fewer but light years away.

A look at online "social" marketplaces reveals large number of sellers with no description and few relevant pictures. It's equivalent to selling a car with the title and description "Car for Sale" accompanied by a lone, fuzzy picture of a covered car. It's a lesson in futility. Is used even worth the hassle and financial risk? Tough call.

In any case, it will be roughly $1k for a similar new one and $2k for a more powerful one. The former would rely on a two-compressor set-up with used and maybe new parts intermingling. Maybe a bad idea after all. New equipment is worth it when the price is right and there's usually a warranty.

UPDATE: I purchased two Ingersoll Rand 5hp 80gal 230v single phase 175psi two-stage compressors. The necessary add-ons cost nearly as much (egads)! This increased my air capacity to 2.9x current rate. The over-sized components can handle four times more and should be good for decades. A few electrical upgrades finished the ensemble.

Posted by M: August 4, 2024

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