Homemade Compressor

RedNeckRacin · Mar 17, 2008

So anyways, I have a supercharger off of a car. Its a roots style blower. So, I was wondering if I could fab up a manifold and make it into an air compressor? It is a gen 3 eaton blower off of a 2000 grand prix gtp. Anyone else try something similiar to this idea? What kind of flow and pressure could I expect?

Who votes to just buy a real compressor?

orezok · Mar 17, 2008

It will produce a lot of volume, but little pressure. I think about 30# max.

john_bud · Mar 17, 2008

I'd guess you can get an honest 30 psi from it.

If you are wanting to "do stuff" with the compressed air, buy a 2 stage 80gal tank 240v 1p compressor. If you just want to play around and make something of little practical use for fun.... the supercharger may be it.

jb

newlife · Mar 17, 2008

Yes it will work. I used to work for Sullair a long time ago and their rotary screw compressoer are actually roots blowers. But!!!!!! by the time you are done getting a tank, coupling it up to a motor, getting an unloader, getting a GOOD!!!!! oil serarator it will cost you mor ein time and money than buying one at Lowes or Home Depot. Don't ask me how I know this.

orezok · Mar 17, 2008

newlife said:
Yes it will work. I used to work for Sullair a long time ago and their rotary screw compressoer are actually roots blowers. But!!!!!! by the time you are done getting a tank, coupling it up to a motor, getting an unloader, getting a GOOD!!!!! oil serarator it will cost you mor ein time and money than buying one at Lowes or Home Depot. Don't ask me how I know this.

It would work, but the difference in design is that a car supercharger has to move about 1,000 CFM in a car engine. Low pressure high volume as opposed to compressors high pressure low volume.

KrumpsBrother · Mar 17, 2008

Duct it to your intake manifold on your tractor!

KB

pat32rf · Mar 18, 2008

Unless you need compressed air for blowing leaves, etc I'd skip it, and use an old A/C compressor. Even a "sealed" unit out of a fridge will work for a small amount of air. I've got a 2cylinder unit from a large walk-in freezer with a 2hp motor that does for me, not very portable though.....

miketheDrummer · Mar 19, 2008

You might be able to sell that Huffer to another racer or 'Wannabe' for enuf cash to buy a little store-bought compressor. Check EBay to see going prices. I have no background buying-selling speed equipment but it is a thought..I've been wrong before!

Mike

I've been thru a divorce
and it was a
Wife-changing Experience

RedNeckRacin · Mar 19, 2008

Well thanks for the responses guys. I wasn't sure if it was plausible or not. I have it and I was going to sell it if I didn't have a use for it. Already have a bigger compressor in the works. Looking at an ingersol rand

txslowpoke · Mar 21, 2008

Why not just use your A/C compressor as the air compressor? If your not using for A/c on the car that is. My little Suzuki Samurai ranch buggy A/C will pump upto 110lbs or so, I use an old propane tank as the air tank. Putin quick connect fittings etc

wedge40 · Mar 21, 2008

Different question. I have friend who uses old propane tanks for compressor air storage. He finds old pumps, fixes them the hooks them to the propane tanks. I'm thinking of getting a tank to use as extended storage.
Is this ok to do this?

Wedge

Defective · Mar 21, 2008

I use old propane tanks for air.

One thing to keep in mind...they used to contain propane. (Ya...I know...but some people don't think it through...)

Purge the he$$ out of them. I generally fill them up with water & dish soap a few times. The soap helps get rid of some, but never all, of the ethyl mercaptan residue in the tank. Then I leave them sitting in an unused area of the yard with the valves out & the openings pointing down for as long as I can.

john_bud · Mar 21, 2008

Going on what "Defective" stated, I have use old 40# propane tanks. To get rid of the stink, I paint them black and set out every day for a week in the hot summer sun. Then spray paint into the tank to seal the steel.

Seems to work and there is no stink when using the air.

jb

Defective · Mar 22, 2008

I like the black paint & bake it idea...gonna hafta try that.

Do you ever have problems with the internal paint flaking off?

rdbrumfield · Mar 22, 2008

I needed air on my two ton. I used an airconditioning unit off a toyota celica. It is a two piston unit with it's own crankcase. The tag on it is tested to 425lbs. With the electric clutch, it is nice to put a switch on the dash so it won't fire up unless I need it. I used a 5 gallon propane tank for storage and put an electric popoff switch that works at 125lbs. Be sure to put an emergency popoff that is preset incase of a switch failure. Wouldn't want a bomb to go off.

Defective · Mar 22, 2008

How big is the compressor off the Celica?

I've always run York compressors on my trucks but I drive a VW van these days & there aint quite so much room in there.

rdbrumfield · Mar 22, 2008

9in long counting the beltclutch,5inwide,71/2in tall.

Defective · Mar 22, 2008

cool!

I bet it'd fit. Guess I'm gonna hafta make a trip to the wreckers & see what they have on hand.

Then I get to invent a bracket...then figure out a belt...then mount a tank...then run plumbing...FUN!

scgargoyle · Mar 22, 2008

I remember people used to modify the old air-cooled VW engines, using two cylinders to run, and two to compress, IIRC. There may have even been a kit. That would make a pretty cheap 20hp or so compressor.