What Does Duty Cycle Mean?

[stockrex]

I am looking at 12v air compressors for my truck,
and I see Viair models with 30% duty cycle.

What is a 30% duty cycle?

How are the 100% duty cycle model different? do they just have better heat dissipation?

 

[AlaskaMike]

30% duty cycle would be the compressor is actively running 30% of the time, and 70% of the time it isn't. 100% duty cycle is just another way of saying continuous duty--it's going to be a beefier, more heavy duty version, and heat dissipation would be just one of the things that would be "beefier".

For something that you'd use for, say, air horns and occasionally airing up tires, then 30% duty cycle is likely reasonable. If you're going out four wheeling in sand and you air down all your tires, then you'd probably want to give the compressor a couple minutes' rest time between each tire.

 

[Linctex]

How many CFM's are you looking for?

Just to "air up a low tire" , or something with a lot more airflow than that?

 

[stockrex]

Originally Posted By: Linctex
How many CFM's are you looking for?

Just to "air up a low tire" , or something with a lot more airflow than that?


Dunno, my truck tires are at 60 lbs to 80 lbs,

it would be nice to be able to air up tires from 20lbs to 80

we have sand dunes in west mi and I can get an ORV tag and take my truck

 

[stockrex]

Originally Posted By: AlaskaMike
30% duty cycle would be the compressor is actively running 30% of the time, and 70% of the time it isn't. 100% duty cycle is just another way of saying continuous duty--it's going to be a beefier, more heavy duty version, and heat dissipation would be just one of the things that would be "beefier".

For something that you'd use for, say, air horns and occasionally airing up tires, then 30% duty cycle is likely reasonable. If you're going out four wheeling in sand and you air down all your tires, then you'd probably want to give the compressor a couple minutes' rest time between each tire.


I still don't get it,
would have a max continuous use time be more logical?

 

[EdwardC]

Here's what Viair says:

Code:
ONE HOUR DUTY CYCLE

(100 PSI @ 72° F) MINUTES ON/MINUTES OFF

9% Duty Cycle 5 Min. On / 55 Min. Off

10% Duty Cycle 6 Min. On / 54 Min. Off

15% Duty Cycle 9 Min. On / 51 Min. Off

20% Duty Cycle 12 Min. On / 48 Min. Off

25% Duty Cycle 15 Min. On / 45 Min. Off

30% Duty Cycle 18 Min. On / 42 Min. Off

33% Duty Cycle 20 Min. On / 40 Min. Off

50% Duty Cycle 30 Min. On / 30 Min. Off

100% Duty Cycle 1 Hour Run Time


http://www.viaircorp.com/tech/

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: stockrex
I am looking at 12v air compressors for my truck,
and I see Viair models with 30% duty cycle.

What is a 30% duty cycle?

How are the 100% duty cycle model different? do they just have better heat dissipation?



You can run it 3 minutes in a ten minute period.

 

[BHopkins]

Typically, service life is calculated based upon a duty cycle. For example, the compressor you are looking at may be rated for a 20,000 hour service life at a 30% duty cycle. So, if when you are using it, it actually runs 30% of the time, it will last 20,000 hours.

You can use it more than 3 minutes in a 10 minute period, but it will significantly reduce it's service life. Like Alaska Mike says, it isn't designed to run continuous. It is designed to run only 30% of the time, so it can cool down the rest of the time.

If you anticipate using a compressor that will constantly be running, then get one with a 100% duty cycle. It is built to handle the continuous operation. But you will usually pay more for it.

 

[stockrex]

Originally Posted By: EdwardC
Here's what Viair says:

Code:
ONE HOUR DUTY CYCLE

(100 PSI @ 72° F) MINUTES ON/MINUTES OFF

9% Duty Cycle 5 Min. On / 55 Min. Off

10% Duty Cycle 6 Min. On / 54 Min. Off

15% Duty Cycle 9 Min. On / 51 Min. Off

20% Duty Cycle 12 Min. On / 48 Min. Off

25% Duty Cycle 15 Min. On / 45 Min. Off

30% Duty Cycle 18 Min. On / 42 Min. Off

33% Duty Cycle 20 Min. On / 40 Min. Off

50% Duty Cycle 30 Min. On / 30 Min. Off

100% Duty Cycle 1 Hour Run Time


http://www.viaircorp.com/tech/


Danke!

 

[stockrex]

Originally Posted By: Donald
Originally Posted By: stockrex
I am looking at 12v air compressors for my truck,
and I see Viair models with 30% duty cycle.

What is a 30% duty cycle?

How are the 100% duty cycle model different? do they just have better heat dissipation?



You can run it 3 minutes in a ten minute period.


I kinda guessed but using the table I see there is a max run time

 

[stockrex]

Originally Posted By: BHopkins
Typically, service life is calculated based upon a duty cycle. For example, the compressor you are looking at may be rated for a 20,000 hour service life at a 30% duty cycle. So, if when you are using it, it actually runs 30% of the time, it will last 20,000 hours.

You can use it more than 3 minutes in a 10 minute period, but it will significantly reduce it's service life. Like Alaska Mike says, it isn't designed to run continuous. It is designed to run only 30% of the time, so it can cool down the rest of the time.

If you anticipate using a compressor that will constantly be running, then get one with a 100% duty cycle. It is built to handle the continuous operation. But you will usually pay more for it.


Makes sense, heat is the enemy,
it is usually around 45F in the morning or evening the months I use my truck most, so heat is not a factor, I will mount a 12v computer fan to drive mucho air over the fins.

100% duty 12v 2.5 cfm is $250
30% duty 12v 1.2 cfm is $45

gosh, I mean, wow, I mean, I can buy 2 88p compressors and use them alternately and allow one to cool down while I use the other,
lol, then I will have 60% duty cycle.

I bought a bon-aire 12v compressor from costco, I have not used it yet,

here a video on youtube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEVu45hb95A

at $29 I am ok tossing it after 1 season