What brand compressor is better to buy?
Content
The capacity of the compressor depends on the performance and pressure. The higher this indicator, the faster the receiver will be filled, and the air will be supplied to the working tool sooner.
Automotive compressors are used for pumping wheels, painting the body and working with pneumatic tools. Units work from an electric network, on gasoline or diesel fuel. For domestic purposes and small car repair shops, it is better to buy a compressor from a company with a reliable reputation.
The principle of operation and the device of the compressor
The compressor accumulates air or gas and delivers it at high pressure. The principle of operation is to take atmospheric air and supply it to the tires under pressure. All processors are divided into piston and screw.
The piston compressor consists of a system of pistons (working unit), an engine and a storage tank (receiver). Devices are available with direct and belt drive, oil and oil-free. Household piston compressors allow you to create pressure up to 10 atmospheres. They are simple in design and maintainable.
Automobile compressor
Screw devices are more complex and are used more often in production. Air is forced into the system by spiral screws.
Criterias of choice
The main parameters and technical characteristics of the compressors are reflected in the instruction manual. When buying a unit, consider:
- performance;
- power;
- the nature of the fuel;
- storage capacity;
- type of pressure gauge and its accuracy;
- time of continuous work;
- noise level.
Among the additional characteristics that need to be taken into account are the dimensions of the device, the manufacturer, the availability and terms of the warranty, and the cost.
Pressure
A value that shows how much force the mechanism compresses the air. It is measured in bars (1 bar is approximately 0,99 atmospheres.). There are compressors:
- low pressure - from 3 to 12 bar;
- medium - from 13 to 100 bar;
- high - from 100 to 1000 bar.
For each household or industrial tool, the pressure level is different. Before buying a compressor, you need to know the purpose of its use:
- For spraying paints or varnishes, 2-4 atmospheres are enough.
- For a drill, wrench and other pneumatic tools, a pressure of 6 atmospheres is required.
- Universal models that can be used for domestic and some industrial purposes, create pressure up to 10 atmospheres.
- Medium and high pressure units are used mainly in large enterprises.
It is advisable to choose a device with a "margin of safety", since during operation the declared pressure level may decrease slightly.
Performance
This is the amount of air that the mechanism connected to the compressor consumes. The capacity is expressed in liters per minute. Often in the instructions for use, this figure is overestimated, so it is better to choose a device with a margin.
You can calculate the required compressor capacity using the following algorithm:
- Determine which instruments will be connected and find out the amount of air they need.
- Specify how many instruments will be connected to the compressor at the same time.
- Add about 30% to the received data.
Compressor Tornado 911
Portable compressors for tire inflation have a capacity of 10 to 70 l/min. For cars, a device with an indicator of 30 l / min is suitable. Minivans and SUVs will require a compressor that pumps 60-70 liters of air per minute.
Device entry and exit performance may vary. Usually, the efficiency at the input is indicated in the device passport. At the output, the indicator is lower by 20-25%. The ambient temperature is also taken into account: the warmer the air, the lower its density and, accordingly, the pressure.
Power
The capacity of the compressor depends on the performance and pressure. The higher this indicator, the faster the receiver will be filled, and the air will be supplied to the working tool sooner.
When choosing a compressor, take into account the type of electrical network from which it will work. The most powerful industrial designs are connected to a three-phase network. They require a voltage of 380 volts. For household models, a standard electrical network and a voltage of 220 volts are sufficient.
Fuel
To start the compressor motor, electricity, gasoline or diesel is used.
Gasoline compressors allow you to adjust the power and speed of the engine. Their cost is lower than diesel ones, but fuel consumption is slightly higher. Such models are compact, they are easy to carry from place to place. The noise level is less than that of diesel. But gasoline compressors fail more often and require more additional maintenance.
Electrical devices are the most popular. They are suitable for various purposes - from domestic to industrial. Among the advantages of electric compressors are:
- no exhaust gases during operation;
- compactness;
- transportability.
The power of these models is lower compared to gasoline and diesel. In addition, their operation depends on the power source and may be limited by the length of the cord. For safety reasons, they can only be connected directly to the network, without the use of extension cords.
Receiver volume
The main characteristics of the air tank are the volume and maximum pressure of the compressed gas. Most household compressors need a volume of 20 to 50 liters and a pressure of 10 to 50 atmospheres.
There are two ways to calculate the volume of the receiver. The first of them is simpler: manufacturers advise using receivers with a volume equal to 1/3 of the device's performance. For example, if the compressor produces 150 liters of air per minute, a 50-liter storage tank is enough for it.
Car compressor 4x4
This method is very approximate and does not take into account many important indicators.
The second calculation method is more accurate. A special formula is used, which takes into account:
- compressor performance;
- temperature at the inlet to the accumulator (usually taken + 30 ... + 40 degrees);
- the difference between the minimum and maximum compressed air pressure inside the storage tank;
- compressed air temperature;
- cycle rate - the maximum number of switching on and off the device per minute.
For example, there is a screw compressor that produces 6 cu. m of air per minute with a power of 37 kW. At a maximum pressure of 8 bar, he will need a 1500 liter receiver.
Noise
The lower the noise level when the compressor is running, the better. For most models, this figure is from 86 to 92 dB.
Piston compressors have a higher noise level than screw compressors. Oil models work louder than dry ones. Electric compressors operate almost silently, while diesel compressors are very noisy.
Sound level reduction is achieved in several ways:
- installation of porous sound-absorbing materials under the compressor housing - mineral wool or polyurethane foam;
- vibration isolation - the installation of special gaskets that reduce the transmission of vibration from the engine to other compressor components;
- reduction in unit power.
With the help of sound and vibration insulating materials, the noise level during operation can be reduced to 68 dB - most household appliances have such indicators.
Type of manometer
The pressure gauge allows you to determine the desired pressure when pumping tires. Digital and analog compressors are installed on automobile compressors. The former are more accurate and do not suffer from vibration during operation of the unit.
When choosing a pressure gauge, consider:
- threshold pressure - to calculate it, add 30% to the operating pressure level in the system;
- accuracy - according to this indicator, pressure gauges are divided into several classes;
- the environment in which the device will operate (most models are designed to work with air, water or oil);
- the ability to work in extreme conditions - with strong vibration, high or low temperatures, etc.
For domestic purposes, it is enough to purchase a compact and inexpensive device. For tire inflation, it is better to buy a car compressor with a pressure gauge from trusted companies:
- Berkut ADG-031 - has a large scale with a large number of divisions. The case is sealed and very durable. Used for pumping tires of trucks and SUVs.
- "Vympel MN-01" - suitable for pumping the wheels of any car.
- Aist 19221401-M is a compact device suitable for measuring the pressure in the tires of motorcycles or cars. The body is protected against corrosion. The arrow after measurement holds the readings. There is a reset button on the side of the case.
- Kraftool 6503 - is highly accurate. Allows you to work with pneumatic equipment, suitable for car painting, tire fitting, etc.
The best compressor companies
On sale you can find devices of domestic and European brands. Most buyers recommend choosing a car compressor from companies:
- Fubag is a German company, compressors of this brand have a long service life. On sale there are oil and oil-free, belt and coaxial devices.
- ABAC Group is an Italian manufacturer operating since 1948. It produces compressors for domestic and industrial purposes, as well as pneumatic tools and accessories. When assembling, gasoline and diesel engines of the brand are used.
- Metabo is a manufacturer from Germany. It produces compressors of the Basic, Power and Mega classes. The Basic models are suitable for home use and small workshops. Power class devices are suitable for tire fitting, paint or car repair shops. For industrial enterprises and large service centers, a Metabo compressor of the Mega class is better suited.
- Elitech - the brand belongs to a Russian company, products are manufactured in China and Belarus. It produces oil and oil-free compressors suitable for home use.
- Patriot - the birthplace of the brand is the United States, the factories are in China. According to customer reviews, the piston compressors of this company are quiet and produce clean air. Suitable for garages and small workshops.
All companies have service centers in Russia that carry out repairs and maintenance of equipment.
Lists of the best models
Low pressure oil piston models deserve the greatest demand and the best customer ratings. They are used for work in garages, auto repair shops, personal plots.
Goodyear car compressor
Oil-free units are used for painting the body and other surfaces.
Budget
The cost of inexpensive air compressors ranges from 6500 to 10 rubles. According to customer reviews, the best models are:
- Oil compressor ELITECH KPM 200/50. The receiver of the unit is designed for 50 liters of air. Motor power - 1,5 kW, powered by an electrical network with a voltage of 220 V. Pressure - 8 bar, productivity - 198 liters per minute. There is a pressure relief valve and pressure gauge. The cost is about 9000 rubles.
- The oil-free compressor Denzel PC 1/6-180 has a single-phase electric motor. Inlet capacity - 180 liters of air per minute, pressure - 8 atmospheres. The receiver is located horizontally, its volume is 6 liters. The cost is 7000 rubles.
- The compressor oil-free Hyundai HYC 1406S works from the electric motor with the coaxial drive. The power of the unit is 1,4 kW. The price is 7300 rubles.
When choosing a unit, it is important to consider the purpose of its application. In particular, for painting it is better to buy a compressor from Hyundai or Denzel, which work without oil and do not pollute the air.
Piston
Differ in the compact sizes and smaller power. However, they are quite enough for domestic purposes. Most users recommend choosing a car compressor company:
- FUBAG - model OL 195/6 CM1.5. Oil-free compressor with coaxial drive has overheating protection, built-in air filter, pressure regulation system. Productivity - 195 liters per minute. Price - 9600 rubles.
- ABAC Montecarlo O20P is an oil-free unit that produces 230 liters of air per minute. Engine power - 1,5 kW, powered by the mains. Noise level - 97 dB.
Most popular models are equipped with electric motors and operate on a 220 V mains supply.
Screw
Differ in greater power and dimensions. It is advisable to purchase them for car services, car painting workshops. It is better to choose a compressor from a company that has proven itself well in the market. Positive feedback deserved:
- ABAC MICRON 2.2. It has a receiver with a volume of 50 liters, productivity - 220 l / min. The weight of the device is 115 kg. Works from a network with a voltage of 220 V.
- The ASO-VK5,5-230 screw compressor is a Russian-made unit. Has a receiver with a capacity of 230 liters. Productivity - 800 liters per minute. Works from a network with a voltage of 380 V.
The cost of screw compressors starts from 230 rubles.
Tips for choosing a car compressor
If the device will work daily for several hours, it is better to choose the oil type. These models last longer, but the oil level must be monitored. For tire inflation and low power spray gun operation, it is better to buy an ELITECH or Patriot compressor with a receiver up to 20 liters.
The volume of the receiver affects the stability of the entire unit, as well as air purification from impurities. After switching off the compressor, the accumulator maintains the operating pressure for some time. The size of the receiver does not affect the power of the device.
