Quiet electric compressor, like an aerosol? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2018, 10:17:17 pm
content: As the title, is here a reasonably quiet electric compressor, at a reasonable price, that has the same concentrated blast of air that an aerosol air can provides?If it has suction as well, so much the better.Fish tank pumps are limp. Air bed pumps are bloody loud. Is there somethig that’s got oomph and doesn’t wake up he neighbours?

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2018, 10:26:12 pm
content: Salvage a refrigeration compressor, but first make friends with a HVAC tech to get the refrigerant recovered before you cut into any plumbing.

author: Yansi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 06, 2018, 10:32:28 pm
content: I have just seen this video today:

author: sotos
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 02:19:07 am
content: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/241184-ORAZIO-Low-Noise-Oilless-Silent-24L-Air-Compressor-750W-Garage-Clinic/282084042569?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 02:41:17 am
content: Quote from: Howardlong on May 06, 2018, 10:17:17 pmYes, there are a number of products intended for just that, such as:220V Metro DataVac ED500 ESD Safe Electric Duster - Model ED-500-ESDhttps://www.amazon.com/220V-DataVac-ESD-Electric-Duster/dp/B07BY71D4YOr if you want something more general purpose, these are popular, but I don't know if there's a 220V version:California Air Tools 2010A Ultra Quiet and Oil-Free 1.0 HP 2.0-Gallon Aluminum Tank Air Compressorhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TDNKBMC

author: edavid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 02:42:15 am
content: Quote from: sotos on May 07, 2018, 02:19:07 amNoise level :67dbMust be a different definition of "Silent".

author: edpalmer42
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 03:11:46 am
content: Quote from: edavid on May 07, 2018, 02:41:17 amIf you search Youtube for California Air Tools, you'll find lots of 'Wow, is it ever quiet' videos.For anyone in North America, California Air Tools products are available at or through Home Depot.Ed

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 03:38:43 am
content: Quote from: edavid on May 07, 2018, 02:41:17 amI bought the exact CAT model you linked to. It’s great and as quiet as a small compressor this size gets so far. My search started with trying to find an inexpensive alternative to the expensive disposable air cans, that also contain propellants and chemicals. After reading many reviews on devices, some even mentioned earlier in this thread, I could not find a suitable replacement. The ones you could fill yourself, still need a source, and according to all the negative reviews, they don’t hold much, and produce a lot less outgoing air pressure. So instead of throwing money at gimmick products, I looked into, small, quite, compressors, and the CAT 2010 WON, and very affordable. If you decide to consider some of those other products, do yourself and your wallet a favor, and read every review you can find. Good luck!

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 03:41:23 am
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on May 07, 2018, 03:11:46 amDoesn't seem all that quiet to me:Older compressors with slower-running motors are much quieter than newer high-speed ones:Their sound is also lower frequency, which I think is less tiring to listen to than the buzz of the newer ones.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 03:54:27 am
content: Go by the DB ratings, judging volume by YouTube videos is .......

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 04:54:35 am
content: Quote from: edpalmer42 on May 07, 2018, 03:11:46 amYes - they are extremely quiet. Forum member rx8pilot recommended one to me and I have bee blown away by how much quieter than other compressors it is. Youtube videos don't do the difference justice. Zoro tools carry them and occasionally have 25% or even 30% off sales.

author: LaurentR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 06:09:37 am
content: You really have to figure out what you mean by quiet.Big-box retailer compressors are amazingly noisy. In comparison, the better oil-less compressors like the above mentioned California Air Tools are much quieter (down to about 56dB).Whether that's quiet enough depends on your subjective evaluation. 56dB is certainly not "silent" by any stretch of imagination.For low noise, nothing touches the oiled compressors, which are generally similar to fridge compressors, except filled with air. You get down do some really quiet models like the Silentaire 20A at 30dB. That's still not really silent, but it's definitely quiet. The 1/2hp Silentaire models at 40dB is where my personal limit is for indoor use.Silentaire is Italian, but now own by a US company. In Europe, similar models are made by Bambi (UK) or Jun Air.All of these are pricey are are best bought used from EBay (they are used in a variety of businesses like dentist offices, and, since they are oiled, will last forever if properly maintained).

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 06:27:00 am
content: Quote from: LaurentR on May 07, 2018, 06:09:37 amYes, you're right. It's all relative of course. But for the price, the CAT compressors are pretty quiet compared to the standard small portable compressors used by most contractors and consumers. Here is a video comparing the 2010A, the one I have to a typical small pancake compressor.CAT 2010A

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 10:03:44 am
content: Howard, as you're in the UK, take a trip out to Machine Marthttps://www.machinemart.co.uk/c/air-compressors/. They list some ultra quiet ones.There are some cheap ones on ebay too ("silent compressor"), particularly if you're able to collect.

author: bob225
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 10:21:44 am
content: MM Clarke compressors are good for the money but entry level your looking at £300, the cheapie airbrush compressor are reasonably quiteeg.https://www.everythingairbrush.com/compressors/ab-as196-twin-cylinder-mini-piston-type-on-demand-compressor-with-receiver-and-dual-switch-for-airbrushing.html<<<<< can be found cheaper

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 02:41:32 pm
content: Quote from: LaurentR on May 07, 2018, 06:09:37 amIt’s also good to know what the end purpose is.OP: “As the title, is here a reasonably quiet electric compressor, at a reasonable price, that has the same concentrated blast of air that an aerosol air can provides?”If you want that kind of air blast, you may also want the air as CLEAN as possible, while some oil filled compressors might be quieter, the air may contain oil in it. That’s why I went with OIL-LESS, and bought a small in-line hose filter. I also liked the ALUMINUM “rust free” air tank on that particular CAT compressor, they make a complete line, but many are STEEL tanks. There are a lot of considerations if you go the compressor route.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 07, 2018, 02:51:07 pm
content: Quote from: bob225 on May 07, 2018, 10:21:44 amAir brush compressors are quite, but small. That’s why I went with the aluminum 2 gallon tank, smaller then that and the compressor will be running continuously to attempt to deliver air. You can run up to a small nail gun with the CAT style compressor. Most people buy compressors based on the amount of air PSI they calculate their air tools require. I’m just using mine to blow relatively CLEAN air.

author: Gregg
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 12:05:36 am
content: If you want really quiet you might consider CO2. Since it is liquid in the bottle it expands exponentially when it becomes vapor. I have an aluminum 20 pound capacity bottle that costs about $15 to fill at the local welding store; it is about the size of a scuba tank. Beverage and paintball industries are other sources of CO2. You will need a regulator as the bottle pressure is quite high but not as high as most nitrogen tanks. CO2 is denser than air so less is needed to blow things away. It is also dry and oil free although it has a greater cooling effect than compressed air and may cause condensation. Small CO2 bottles can be filled from larger bottles if you have limited lab space and want to keep a larger cheaper to fill tank in the garage. CO2 worked wonders in our Battlebot to power pneumatic rams.

author: bob225
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 09:32:31 am
content: Quote from: MacMeterJust run a descant filter inline, I wouldn't run air tools on anything smaller than a 12-16 cfm compressor, even my 200L 18 cfm 5.5hp compressor struggles with a small blast cabinet - with air tools you need to run a oiler or your just asking for issuesIn a ideal world you would want a screw compressor and a dryer if you had the spare ££££ laying around

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 10:05:05 am
content: A Jun Air or Bambi silent compressor will do the job and is a different league from those cheep Chinese air brush compressors. I got a Jun Air (ebay) a couple of years back, they are more common in the UK than the Bambi.

author: bob225
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 10:38:18 am
content: Your starting around the £300 with the bambi and most other silent, I don't know if the op has that sort of budget, there use to be a company in kent (uk) that sold its own refurbs (usually medical grade compressors)

author: Towger
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 11:19:40 am
content: Quote from: bob225 on May 08, 2018, 10:38:18 amI don't think I paid much more than £100 on ebay. The trick is to find a nice one with local pickup only. BTW, I don't think the OP is short of a few bob, he has other very expensive hobbies.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 08, 2018, 11:27:03 am
content: Quote from: bob225 on May 08, 2018, 10:38:18 amNote that the Bambi and others like it are basically the same as refrigeration compressors --- they are oil-filled, low CFM, and intermittent duty cycle only (they're very quiet, but that doesn't mean they can run continuously without overheating.)

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 04:16:14 pm
content: A nice affordable, fairly quiet (be sure to install the muffler provided with it) and small (only 2.5cfm) compressor that I am very happy with is thehttps://www.amazon.com/Rolair-JC10-Plus-Oil-Less-Compressor/dp/B0058NRVMOOnly 60dBI have mine setup on a wire rack shelf (in a garage), so I may easily clean the floor with a garden hose and a mop. It is next to a MIG welder.It is quiet enough that the vibration of the wire spool in the mig welder on the bobbin is louder then the compressor. The compressor just sounds kinda farty. The compressor has rubber feet but the wire shelf that it is on is fairly shitty so it flexes and vibrates.I need to put some kind of tensioning in the welder to stop the wires from rattling around.Perhaps I will put a plank of rubber coated wood under the compressor to see if I can isolate it from the welder (I think the vibration is traveling through very specific elements under the compressor feet, it might stop if its spread to all of them evenly.Keep in mind the CFM is low, 2.5 is not enough for most tools other then a nailer or very quick uses. Of course if you want you can put a 60 gallon tank connected to it (granted you will probably wear out the little motor unless you obey the duty cycle restrictions) that takes forever to fill but will give you some usability for heavy tools, maybe 2 minutes on some air hog like a carbon arc gouge.But, I can't stand the other compressors. I had a shitty husky before that sounded like someone was firing a belt fed machine gun 2 inches away from my ear. I hated that fucking thing I would literary wear ear muffs and plug it in with a extension cord and run away indoors when it turned on, come back when it turned off, turned it off, used until the pressure was low, and repeated. You could hear it clearly down the street.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 04:41:10 pm
content: Quote from: CopperCone on May 19, 2018, 04:16:14 pmOdd, that was the other model I was looking at, but decided on the very similar California Air model I mentioned previously. I thought I rejected it, as it didn’t have an aluminum tank, but I see by your link it does, maybe it’s been updated, not sure now why I went with the CAT, but they specs are very similar.

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:04:15 pm
content: I think I just read the CAT has an aluminum tank.I believe the cat came out recently, I don't think it was on the market when I bought my rolair.The rolair is a bit more expensive, but it does have 0.5 gallons more of capacity.I want to say, looking at them, that CAT basically copied the rol-air one I have and did some kind of whizzbang high tech cost reduction shit to make a clone that costs 50$ less.Differences I can see:Disadvantages of the cheaper CAT brand:-There is no roll cage. The Rol-air one has a nice protective cage around it (still shit because it should have a enclosure, but at least it is harder to fuck up then the CAT one)-Not sure what the heat sinking situation is on it (they have some kind of plastic covers where the "heat sinks?" are on the rol-air brand. Might be hiding some kind of manufacturing muntzing (i.e. tiny heat sinks). I don't know why you would need covers there for aluminum heat sinks like the rol-air has.-The gauges are oriented weird (probably simplified/reduced cost of fittings). If you put it on a shelf like I did it would be hard to see what the pressure readings are. Seems retarded. The rol-air has a proper 'interface panel' where you can read both pressures and turn it off at the same time and adjust the pressure, even if its located in a difficult area. You don't need to crane.-rol-air uses combination of square stock and round stock for its frame. The CAT one uses all round stock.Differences in my rol-air and the one on amazon:-mine uses all round stock-the feet are the conical type seen on the CAT one. I don't know if this increases or decreases the isolation.Disadvantages of rol-air-Tank is welded to the frame. Might make replacement difficult but its aluminum so it should not matter?-The pull pin, designed to empty the tank, is oriented sideways, rather then in the front (like on the CAT tools one), so it might be more difficult to actuate though I don't know why you would want to, unless its in a really off place or you have a bad back and you can't bend over to flip the purge valve. Very easy to modify to put a direction change pulley there though, if you are a fan of the string operation air purge. I still think you need to do the bottom purge to drain the tank though? You would want to probably modify it so that there is another pull valve on the bottom nipple to make sure you get all the water out of the compressor, on both models, if you intend to use the pull string feature! So I consider it a draw/mutual deficiency.My opinion?-I don't regret spending the extra 50 dollars on the rol-air compressor if only because i has a roll-cage thing on it. It makes it easier to put on a shelf and if you are using it as a contracting tool you can drop 2by4's on it and you are way less likely to rip off some kind of high pressure thing welded on the tank that will fly off and kill you. Also if you have it on a shelf and the top shelf over it collapses it wont be damaged.-Should be 100% enclosure for better protection but rolair cares more about customer safety and ergonomics.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:13:14 pm
content: Quote from: CopperCone on May 19, 2018, 05:04:15 pmNice comparison! My wording was not great, I wanted an aluminum tank, and I thought I remembered at that time, the main difference was the Rolair was a steel tank. Either they changed the Rolair to aluminum recently, or there was some other reason I went with the CAT. No matter, they are very close, and either is a good choice. Both CAT and Rolair were very helpful with my phone questions. Both seem highly regarded in these type compressors.EDIT: Just looked it up, the Rolair “PLUS” is a newer model, they went from a steel tank to aluminum as well as some other small improvements. I guess my phone calls made them think about competing with the similar CAT aluminum model!

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:21:35 pm
content: Other:The CAT one has a air tank which you can replace, but the connection between the air tank and the frame is really janky. I guess it works but I don't know how much a vibration issue it is and if the tank can loosen. I don't think I would manufacture something for sale which such a mechanical interface:On the lower left corner:https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71Q0sTqsfPL._SL1354_.jpghttps://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/712UlpiLmQL._SL1314_.jpgIt looks like some mad max shit, with the bracket bent into shake so it kind mates with the tube... I think proper manufacturing would be to weld a small plate with some holes in it to the square tubeOn the lower right:https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/718N2LpKVKL._SL1190_.jpgYou can see that the tank is only mounted to the tubing stock by 2 points of crappy contact, that is a bolt and a nut. A bolt is not supposed to act as an anti rotation feature in general, and its definatly not supposed to act as a anti rotation feature on a round tube. If they want to use a detachable compressor it should be on 4 points of contact with parallel carefully welded plates, not 2 points of contact using bolt/shitty bent plate interfaces. Also does not appear to use any kind of anti rotation feature like lug nuts etc.What can happen here I think is that the tank can loosen and increase noise, and possibly damage the welded connections by stress fatigue, especially the copper tube.Final Opinion: Pay the extra 50 bucks for the well engineered product, considering its high pressure air. If this is the level of thought they put into designing it, they might also have shitty QC etc.Since you bought it already, I would recommend that you either (not sure whats the best option)1) weld the tank to the frame (kinda stupid?)2) replace the nuts with some kind of anti rotation nuts (the ones with the plastic that deforms, forget what their called, or lock wire)3) put loctite on it (the green kind thats supposed to flow into the bolt/nut interface would be easiest because you don't need to dismantle anything).4) mod the thing to have a nice removable tank connector thing like I described, but its alot of work and i Don't know how easy or wise it is to weld something to an aluminum tank.5) cancel the order and buy the rol air one for 50$ more

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:26:21 pm
content: Quote from: CopperCone on May 19, 2018, 05:21:35 pmAgreed, I would have bought the Rolair, but they did not have the newer PLUS model at that time, and the non-plus was a steel tank, NOT aluminum, that was the deal breaker at that time.

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:31:23 pm
content: Maybe then just check those bolts on the bottom and gethttps://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/permatex-penetrating-grade-threadlocker-green-2-oz-29000/7160068-p?c3nid=7160068-P&c3ch=PLA&adtype=pla_with_promotion&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv9bLyKaS2wIVQwOGCh3xlQJiEAQYAiABEgLJ2PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dsThis stuff you can just tighten the bolt if you need to, put the compressor on the side and put a few drops that will flow into the thread and seal it up nicely without having to take it apart, do a coating procedure, risk misalignment etc.orhttps://www.homedepot.com/b/Hardware-Fasteners-Nuts-Lock-Nuts/N-5yc1vZc2ezI guess you would need to take it apart and risk misalignmentor both (don't know if your supposed to use em together actually). I think by itself the loctite might actually be better at vibration resistance, so long the bolt grade they use was not super awful.I used the green threadlocker on my crappy home depot BBQ for 90$ or whatever (heats super fast though I will give it that).

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:36:04 pm
content: damnit my rol-air one has a fucking magnetic tank.Oh well, I keep it purged typically. And it has a easy to remove plug so I can inspect it at least with a boroscope.I wonder how reliable those aluminum tanks are though. I think for aluminum pressure storage I would like a extra layer of fiber glass/epoxy resin like a fire fighter SCBA because the aluminum welding process is much more tricky and niche then steel. Then again those scba tanks are much higher pressure. And cost a shit load more. Might be completely paranoid.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 05:57:17 pm
content: Quote from: CopperCone on May 19, 2018, 05:36:04 pmI guess you do not have the newer “PLUS” model. The research I did on aluminum tanks in this size made me comfortable in buying it. Since my main reason for this was to blow CLEAN air, I didn’t want the potential for rust. I also bought a small inline filter as well, connected to the hose.

author: CopperCone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 06:30:01 pm
content: This is also probably very decent, but the CFM is lowhttp://toolguyd.com/hitachi-ultra-quiet-1-gallon-air-compressor-ec28m/Other then the low power it looks kinda well engineered (still no god damn roll cage, maybe thats why their called rol-air)..Why can't you just add the fucking 2 feet of tubing? jesus h chirst what the fuck. How much are they saving if their mass producing that shit and selling it in every fucking home depot in the country.Plus dust gets all over that shit.I need to use my milwakee m18 blower thing to clean the god damn compressor when I do something near it.Almost:http://toolguyd.com/dewalt-air-compressor-dwfp55130/But no, you still gotta skip 2 welds and 2 feet of tubing.Finally something, as it should be:http://toolguyd.com/rolair-airstak-air-compressor-in-systainer-tool-box/Easy to clean and robustish.

author: MacMeter
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 19, 2018, 06:38:50 pm
content: Quote from: CopperCone on May 19, 2018, 06:30:01 pmMight be fine to blow air, but not only low .8 CFM, that 1 gallon tank is very small. Might be fine for some, but even just blowing air, my tank can empty quickly, mine is just able to pump up my bikes 125psi race tires, I doubt the Hatchi could. Seems too limited to me.California Air Tools 2010A SPECS:Ultra Quiet only 60 DecibelsOil-Free Pump for Less Maintenance & Costs2.0 Gallon (Rust Free) Aluminum TankPowerful 1.0 HP (Rated / Running) 2.0 HP (Peak) Motor3.10 CFM at 40 PSI 2.20 CFM at 90 PSIUltra Quiet only 60 DecibelsOil-Free Pump for Less Maintenance & Costs

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2018, 07:00:57 pm
content: My friend made a quiet compressor out of the compressor from his old refrigerator and a couple of empty propane bottles for the tank. He used a pressure relief switch that lets off the head pressure between the compressor and a check valve for starting since fridge compressors typically cannot start into significant head pressure. It's been in use for about 10 years now and still works fine.

author: eKretz
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2018, 03:21:34 am
content: Same here. I had an old chiller and an old portable air conditioning unit laying around. Stripped them, recovered the refrigerant in an empty freon bottle and dropped it at a local appliance service center. Made a compressor with both in parallel pumping into a 5 gallon tank. Mine is so quiet I can run it in my basement workshop at night while the rest of the house is asleep without waking anyone. The loudest part is the pressure release when the pressure switch shuts the compressor pumps off.