Generator Running Compressor Help

[good_jolly]

Good evening Bitogers!

I just bought a Champion 6,000/7,000 running/surging watts. I would like to run a Craftsman 5hp/25gal compressor. Will the generator be able to run just the compressor by itself?

I read in the manual reference that a 1.5hp compressor takes about 2500 watts running and 2500 surging.

I really hope it can but generator longevity comes first. Please advice.

Thank you.

 

[Nick R]

Should be perfectly fine no worries.

 

[The_Jeff]

You could run four of those compressors. The 5 hp is a gross exaggeration that sears eventually got in trouble over. If it has a 120v plug the most it can suck is 20 amps (and it should have that wierd little tab if it's 20 otherwise 15).

120V x 20A = 2300 watts.

Run the compressor full tilt on your gennie and see what the governor has the throttle at. If the gen is a WOT you know you're at its limit.

 

[Chris142]

I have a 4k generator and it wont run my 2hp compressor.

 

[JimPghPA]

The generator engine throttle will not be a wide open throttle if the compressor only loads one half of the 240 by loading 120 on one side to 20 amps. Assuming the compressor is 120Volt. The current on half of the electrical section would be a near max.

NOTE:

6000Watts/240Volts = 25 Amps.

7000Watts(Peak)/240Volts = 29.166Amps

So, even the lower rating of the generator should be more than enough to run a 120 Volt 20 Amp circuit continuously.

Just be sure to have plenty of air circulating around the generator, especially the electrical part. If you really want to play it safe have the generator in a well ventilated area outside, shaded, and have a box fan blowing on it (again especially on the electrical section).

 

[JTK]

The engine RPMs will bounce slightly when the compressor starts, that's about it.

 

[JimPghPA]

If the compressor requires a 30 Amp circuit, then do not try it.

 

[JimPghPA]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
You could run four of those compressors. The 5 hp is a gross exaggeration that sears eventually got in trouble over. If it has a 120v plug the most it can suck is 20 amps (and it should have that wierd little tab if it's 20 otherwise 15).

120V x 20A = 2300 watts.

Run the compressor full tilt on your gennie and see what the governor has the throttle at. If the gen is a WOT you know you're at its limit.


It might run 2 at the same time if you put one on one of the 120 Volt sides of the 240 Volts, and the other on the other 120 Volt side of the 240 Volts, but I would never try 4.

Also this is more about surge during start of the compressor and that is where the 7000 Watt Peak rating comes in.

Bottom line, if it can be done with less than 29.166 Amps start current, and less than 25 Amps running current then it will be OK.

 

[good_jolly]

Thanks guys. The compressor is wired for 120 volts and I believe they are 20 amps as I plug into my wall outlets, they run normal.

One more question. When you cold start the generator with choke on, do you leave it in choke mode to let it warm up before switching to run?


Off topic, I got the Champion at Costco for 599 comes with electric start if anyone interested. Looks and feels very well built.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: good_jolly
Thanks guys. The compressor is wired for 120 volts and I believe they are 20 amps as I plug into my wall outlets, they run normal.

One more question. When you cold start the generator with choke on, do you leave it in choke mode to let it warm up before switching to run?


Off topic, I got the Champion at Costco for 599 comes with electric start if anyone interested. Looks and feels very well built.



Start on choke, run a few minutes the same way you would any small engine, before putting load on it.

 

[cronk]

Originally Posted By: good_jolly
Thanks guys. The compressor is wired for 120 volts and I believe they are 20 amps as I plug into my wall outlets, they run normal.

One more question. When you cold start the generator with choke on, do you leave it in choke mode to let it warm up before switching to run?


Off topic, I got the Champion at Costco for 599 comes with electric start if anyone interested. Looks and feels very well built.



I have the smaller 3500/4000w Champion.
They seem to be one of the best "economy" generators on the market. Mine will normally start on 1 or 2 pulls with the choke on, once it gets up to speed, I take the choke off and it smooths right out and purrs like a kitten. I normally let it run for a couple of minutes before I plug anything into it.
That way the engine warms up a little and RPM's are more stable.

 

[boraticus]

Originally Posted By: cronk
Originally Posted By: good_jolly
Thanks guys. The compressor is wired for 120 volts and I believe they are 20 amps as I plug into my wall outlets, they run normal.

One more question. When you cold start the generator with choke on, do you leave it in choke mode to let it warm up before switching to run?


Off topic, I got the Champion at Costco for 599 comes with electric start if anyone interested. Looks and feels very well built.



I have the smaller 3500/4000w Champion.
They seem to be one of the best "economy" generators on the market. Mine will normally start on 1 or 2 pulls with the choke on, once it gets up to speed, I take the choke off and it smooths right out and purrs like a kitten. I normally let it run for a couple of minutes before I plug anything into it.
That way the engine warms up a little and RPM's are more stable.


I have a similar unit that I bought for emergency purposes so I doesn't get run much. It has maybe five hours on it.

I'm impressed with how well it starts, nicely it runs and provides consistent linear power. And it has to be one of the quietest and smoothest running little singles I've owned.

How many hours have you put on yours? Is it holding up well?

 

[JimPghPA]

Be aware of the direction of air flow that the engine creates with what-ever fan it has if there is one hidden below any cover.

If you add a box fan(good idea) be sure that it is not against the existing air flow. If it were the net result would be less than without the box fan. I would blow the box fan from the side and front to add air flow in the same direction + bring in fresh air and improving the flow for the electrical section.

Air from a box fan on the electrical section will be much cooler than air that has ran over the engines fins before blowing on the electrical section.