Buyer’s Guide: BelAire^® Air Compressors

SELECTION

MANUFACTURER INFO
Warranty & Customer Service

Compressor Requirements – Four key factors for determining minimum compressor specs.

Determine your

Duty Cycle

Duty cycle is the amount of continuous compressed air needed for the tools in use.

Most air tools are rated at a 35% duty cycle. For example, impact wrenches operate at around 35% duty cycle as they are running intermittently. However, anything that spins, chips, nibbles, grinds, polishes, etc. operates at closer to 100% duty cycle.

Estimate your

Total cfm

Total cfm is the total amount of air output needed.

For example, Body Shops typically estimate 12 – 15 cfm per user plus 25% for duty cycle. While, Mechanical Shops typically estimate 3 – 5 cfm per user plus 25% for duty cycle.

Verify your

Power Supply

The electrical specifications for the installation location.

This includes the Voltage and Phase (single phase or three phase). The power requirements are very important for selecting the correct compressor model.

You may be able to locate your information at the supply box. The local electric company supplying the installation location can also provide the required information.

Consider your

Work Style

Choices to make your investment last longer. Consider ease of use and comfort.

For example if your compressor needs to be in an enclosed work area, heat output and sound levels may be an issue to your work environment as well as the mechanical wear on your new compressor. Other considerations: Portability, Service Calls, Vertical vs. Horizontal Tanks.

Compressor Types – Two mechanical compression types.

Piston Compressor

The compression process is achieved through the motion of Pistons. The resulting friction creates heat. Therefore, Piston Compressors require resting/cooling periods and heat dissipation. The Duty Cycle is 70%.

Applications: Any use that is less than a 70% Duty Cycle. For example, tools that are run sporadically with frequent stops and starts. Examples would be impact wrenches, drivers and many tools found in mechanical shops.

Pros: Lower Cost
Cons: Inconsistent Air Output (70% Duty Cycle), Operational Heat, Noise

Rotary Screw Compressor

The compression process of Rotary Screws is a continuous sweeping motion. There is very little pulsation or surging of flow, as occurs with Piston compressors, resulting in a 100% Duty Cycle and a large volume of consistent air flow. There is also less heat due to less internal friction and less operational noise.

Applications: Any use requiring more than a 75% duty cycle. For example, tools that run almost continually without frequent stops and starts. Examples would be polishers, grinders and many tools found in body shops.

Pros: Consistent Air Output (100% Duty Cycle), Less Operational Heat, Quieter Operation
Cons: Cost

Compressor Groups

Piston Compression • Single Stage Models

FEATURES:
Start-Stop Pressure Switch Control
ASME Safety Valves Fully-Enclosed Belt Guard
Tank Drain and Discharge Valve
1 Year Warranty

SINGLE STAGE: Air is compressed one time resulting in typical maximum psi of 130 to 140.

• For small business, residence or any compressed air need
• Offers high volume
• Can operate on low amperage single phase power
• Mounted on rugged receiver tanks to improve the consistency of your air flow

2HP Single Stage Electric Air Compressor

PISTON COMPRESSION • SINGLE STAGE

Electric

• VERTICAL OR HORIZONTAL TANKS
• START-STOP PRESSURE SWITCH CONTROL
• ASME SAFETY VALVES FULLY-ENCLOSED BELT GUARD
• TANK DRAIN AND DISCHARGE VALVE
• 100% FACTORY TESTED AT FULL PRESSURE
• 1 YEAR “BUMPER TO BUMPER” WARRANTY
• PRODUCT LINEUP INCLUDES: 4 MODELS

Piston Compression • Two Stage Models

STANDARD MODEL FEATURES:
Start-Stop Pressure Switch Control
ASME Safety Valves Fully-Enclosed Belt Guard
Tank Drain and Discharge Valve
Magnetic Starters Included if Required
Full 2 Year Warranty (including valves)

ELITE MODEL FEATURES:
Magnetic Starter
Low Oil Switch and Automatic Tank Drain
5 – 7.5 HP “ELITE” include triple-pass Pump Mounted Aftercooler
Full 2 Year Warranty (including valves)

TWO STAGE: Air is compressed in the first, large cylinder (First Stage). Then, it is compressed further in the smaller cylinder (Second Stage). The Two Stage process results in higher pressure than Single Stage, typically 175 psi.

• Available from 5 to 10HP (Iron Series), delivering15.3 to 35 CFM at 100psi
• Comes complete with everything you need to optimize your work and minimize down time

2HP Single Stage Electric Air Compressor