3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

professor95 wrote:
Your engineer friend is correct. There will be less voltage drop in the circuit due to the higher voltage and lower current of 240 VAC.

Still, I agree with others; your compressor is too large for the genset.

But, if you are determined to proceed, perform the following test before you do anything else:

Disconnect the manifold going from the compressor to the tank so that there is absolutely no head pressure when you start the compressor motor.

If the motor does not start with the generator, forget it, it will not work.

On the other hand, if the compressor motor does start you may be able to create a larger manifold between the compressor and tank. Something like a piece of 2" galvanized pipe about 6" long with fittings on each end to attach to the existing steel lines.

Your compressor should have an unloader valve to release pressure in the manifold after the motor stops. This makes it easier for the compressor to restart since it is not starting under a pressure load. The larger manifold will give the generator more time to get the motor up to speed before encountering air pressure resistance.

Another factor that might help if you do succeed in getting the compressor motor to start and run off the genset is to decrease the setting on the pressure cut off switch on the compressor so your maximum air pressure is reduced to, say, 80 psi. This will reduce the current required to run the compressor as pressure builds.

I would encourage you to talk to MrWizard to determine if the motor on your compressor is (or is not) a capacitor start motor. He should be able to advise you if the addition of a starting capacitor or a larger capacitor would be worth the expense and time to add.

Professor95,

I "really" enjoyed reading this post of yours. I love reading knowledgeable and innovative stuff. You brought up so much stuff that I would never have thought of in a million years but reading this post makes so much sense.

Keep up the good work and info to us with less brain power,
Skyzoomer