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Powering my compressor
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:34 pm
by suburban spudgunner
I just bought a cheap compressor (the kind commonly used for filling car tires) and I'm wondering if anyone knows where I could get a converter to power it from household current; I don't want to have to start the car every time I want to shoot.
Compressor specifications:
12V DC, 8A, 96W; plugs into a cigarette lighter
I already bought one adapter which I thought would work, only to find that it put out .5 amps rather than the required 8.
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:36 pm
by john bunsenburner
These compressors are cheep have a low flow but a fairly high pressure, i give it a month with moderate use...a pretty big waste...just buy soemthing porper, or a fridge compressor...
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 5:21 pm
by maggotman
you could run it of a jump starter pack but to be honest thay are crap and fail very fast the last one i had a 20% duty cycle so ever minit u use it u goto leave it 4 minits to cool down
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:22 pm
by blind909
Just buy a 12 volt lawnmower battery, or 12 volt cordless drill battery, thats what i did.
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:28 pm
by VH_man
my hint:
Go to a surplus store. Buy an SLA batteery charger and a 12V 24 AH SLA battery.
Shall work for you.
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:32 am
by john bunsenburner
There are some with duty cyles of upto 80%, please get a proper compressor, or use a hanp dump...or a fridge, you will thank us if you do!
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:52 am
by suburban spudgunner
I know these tend to fail fairly quickly. I was just looking for a quick way to power it (since I was absolutely broke).
I'll see what I can do. Thanks for the feedback.
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:00 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Overheating is definitely a problem with these little pumps, improvising some way of keeping the cylinder cool would definitely prolong its lifespan.
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:12 am
by Carlman
john bunsenburner wrote:proper compressor, or use a hanp dump...or a fridge, you will thank us if you do!
If this was said a year ago, people would look at you funny...lol
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 10:11 am
by john bunsenburner
95% of the world^s population look at me funny when i say..anythign really (atleast in switzerland they do, but assuming you havent visited you are clueless about what im saying)...
@JSR: i think in the end it would be best to just buy a compressor, it would be some much easyer, oh and wouldnt lubricating also prevent overheating(if i said that last sentance to a normal person they would declare me as MAD!)
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:24 pm
by suburban spudgunner
My main problem is that I can't afford a proper compressor.
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 6:30 pm
by TurboSuper
A computer's PSU is your best bet. Easy to find, can drive large currents...
You could also just buy a lead-acid battery and a charger for it (that .5A thing you got would work well).
Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 9:02 pm
by Daltonultra
Radio shack should have the converter you need. If not, hit AutoZone's website, or whatever the equivalent is in whatever country you live in.