Having your own compressor is filling your tank for free!
And the next fill is also for free.
.....until:
Compressors built for continuous operation usually run around 1000 - 1500 rpm.
The need to starting (and stop) a compressor can be reduced by using banks, so the compressor can fill the bank in one long run.
Filters are usually sold sealed (this is where the compressor manufacturers make their money), but if you have a refillable cartridge, it's a lot cheaper to refill the cartridges yourself. The lifetime of a filter depends on the size and the humidity in your area.
A compressor without back-pressure valve or pressure maintenance valve will diminish the lifetime of a filter even faster.
The condensate can be drained automatically if the compressor is equipped with an ACD. A timer opens a solenoid every 15 minutes during 6 seconds to drain the moisture. Small compressors are usually without ACD and require manual drainage.
Not a fact but my opinion:
4-stage compressors manufactured between 1960 and 1985 were built-to-last-forever. No problem at all if the runtime clock shows several thousand hours of operation (with proper maintenance).
And the next fill is also for free.
.....until:
- you have to change the MS/AC filter(s).
- you get the electricity bill.
- your air smells like sour milk (and likely were too late for point 1).
- you realise that the condensate should be drained every 15 minutes instead of every 15 years (this one can get really expensive).
- your compressor needs maintenance.
Compressors built for continuous operation usually run around 1000 - 1500 rpm.
The need to starting (and stop) a compressor can be reduced by using banks, so the compressor can fill the bank in one long run.
Filters are usually sold sealed (this is where the compressor manufacturers make their money), but if you have a refillable cartridge, it's a lot cheaper to refill the cartridges yourself. The lifetime of a filter depends on the size and the humidity in your area.
A compressor without back-pressure valve or pressure maintenance valve will diminish the lifetime of a filter even faster.
The condensate can be drained automatically if the compressor is equipped with an ACD. A timer opens a solenoid every 15 minutes during 6 seconds to drain the moisture. Small compressors are usually without ACD and require manual drainage.
Not a fact but my opinion:
4-stage compressors manufactured between 1960 and 1985 were built-to-last-forever. No problem at all if the runtime clock shows several thousand hours of operation (with proper maintenance).