PORTABLE AIR COMPRESSOR AND GENERATOR?

escavader · Sep 25, 2006

Shouldnt my 6500 watt generator run my portacable twin tank portable air compressor? using it at my remote property it will trip the breaker[20amp] if it trys to start back up after its already been filled.It seems to work ok at the house ,although it dims the lights. I am plugging in direct.The only way i can use my nailers at camp , is to open the water drain valve slightly and let it run steady.What size generators are you contracters using to power your portable compressors? THANKS FOR ANY INFO.
ALAN

MrJimi · Sep 25, 2006

You may have a another problem, That compressor should not trip your 20 amp breaker. Did you check the running voltage of your generator?? Some are not adjusted correct from the factory?
and are you using a electric cord? may not be heavy enough, use a 12 gage wire
Jim

CharlieTR · Sep 25, 2006

I used a colman 5000 watt gen for a cheapo campbell/haus $200 unit for nailers, ginders, impact wrenches, etc. It would pop the breaker once a weekend, but nothing too annoying. You said direct as in no extension cord right? Should be no ext cord.

kenmac · Sep 25, 2006

what is the starting amps for the motor on your compressor ? Starting amps could be 2x the run amps. Is it on a 20 amp breaker at your house ?I have a chart that shows a 1.5 hp. air compressor motor 2200 run watts & as much as 6000 start watts !

RayH · Sep 25, 2006

My 6250 W max (5000 W continous) portable generator will easily handle my 2HP air compressor and its only got 15 amp breakers on the 120v side. The only time I had the compressor kick the breaker was when I was using a 100ft extension cord.
I think you have a problem with the compressor. Im thinking something along the lines of the brushes in your compressor motor may be worn and drawing too many amps on startup.

kenmac · Sep 25, 2006

I agree , he's pulling too many amps at start up

midlf · Sep 26, 2006

If it starts OK the first time but not thereafter it sounds like the unloader is not properly depressurizing the compressor. A compressor starting against pressure will take a lot more amps before it gets up to speed.

Highbeam · Sep 26, 2006

I have run my 5HP/20 gallon air compressor many times with my 5500 continuous and 6850 surge rated coleman generator with the 11HP Tecumseh screamer.

I use a heavy gauge 30' or so extension cord too. I painted the inside and out of my 20' shipping container at my remote property with an automotive paint gun so I needed compressed air for quite awhile.

I once brought a plasma cutter and used that AND the air compressor since you need air for the PC. The thing about running two 120 volt items on a 240 volt generator is that each 120 volt plug is on a different phase and rotor within the generator, that's why there should be two seperate 120 volt circuit breakers.

The CBs should be a slow blow type able to flow more amps than the labeled amperage for a couple of seconds, long enough to get past the surge of the compressor motor. I think you have a weak circuit breaker AND a something causing your compressor motor to suck too much juice.

Does the generator engine lug down at all before the CB pops? Try plugging into the other 120 volt plug which is protected by the second circuit breaker. That should give you a fresh CB.

HomeBrew2 · Sep 26, 2006

Agree that your unloader is not working or your compressor does not have one. Also starting capacitor system may not be functioning.

escavader · Sep 27, 2006

kenmac said:
what is the starting amps for the motor on your compressor ? Starting amps could be 2x the run amps. Is it on a 20 amp breaker at your house ?I have a chart that shows a 1.5 hp. air compressor motor 2200 run watts & as much as 6000 start watts !

hi,more detailed info,
The generator is a sears120/240 volt 5500 watt not 6500
The compressor is a portercable twin tank 3 hp max amp load 15 amp
it is plugged in direct.
It makes a pssssttt when it shuts ,off so id say the unloader is working.I took it apart also as my book said and checked it.
Apon further inspection i cant find the size of the resets in the generator,or manual,thought i read somewhere 20 amp.
No problem with the chop saws etc on the generator,i believe its working ok
book says it requires a slow blow fuse ?whats that? How do i install one?
SORRY about the wrong numbers the first time,should have looked it up and gave the facts
ALAN