Need help with shop compressor + booster setup

[Maineiac]

I need a new shop compressor for my garage anyway so I might as well get a booster for my air tank! And thanks to my reading on these forums, I know I need something that puts out at least 5CFM @ 90 psi. Also, I'll need some kind of moisture filtering. Here's my questions:

• For the compressor, does it NEED to be oil free? Or will an oil cooled one work?
• What kind of low pressure moisture filter do I need before the booster? Keep in mind that I've got a small garage and can't do a super fancy setup.
• I'm thinking about getting the Altaros but I'm worried about what happens if something breaks since the company has no US dealers. Has anyone had issues with theirs?

 

[Tominco]

These two links should help you out...
Help choosing a compressor for the Altaros. 
Altaros Air Booster Updates. 

They send you a full set of replacement O-rings with your unit. I can't think of any problems that I've heard of, (that weren't caused by the owner messing around with it) so far.
I'm not an expert on these but, I have one sitting in the garage that I use as a backup. So, if you have any questions, or want me to look at something for you, shoot me a PM. 
Hmm... Maybe I'll break it out today and give it some exercise.  
Enjoy!
Tom

 

[Tominco]

One more thing about the shop compressor - The bigger the better! 
If you can swing a 2 stage pumping out lots of CFM @90 psi, it will only help the Altaros to fill faster. 

 

[Maineiac]

"Tominco"These two links should help you out...
Help choosing a compressor for the Altaros. 
Altaros Air Booster Updates. 

They send you a full set of replacement O-rings with your unit. I can't think of any problems that I've heard of, (that weren't caused by the owner messing around with it) so far.
I'm not an expert on these but, I have one sitting in the garage that I use as a backup. So, if you have any questions, or want me to look at something for you, shoot me a PM. 
Hmm... Maybe I'll break it out today and give it some exercise.  
Enjoy!
Tom

Thanks! What are you using for moisture filtering?

 

[Tominco]

There's one built into the Altaros, and I've got a three stage one right after my shop compressor. I picked it up off eBay, just do a search for air compressor filter. I might double up on the moisture filters at this stage because my compressor puts out a surprising mount of moisture and, they're easy to get to and replace the desiccant. 
Tom

 

[Maineiac]

"Tominco"There's one built into the Altaros, and I've got a three stage one right after my shop compressor. I picked it up off eBay, just do a search for air compressor filter. I might double up on the moisture filters at this stage because my compressor puts out a surprising mount of moisture and, they're easy to get to and replace the desiccant. 
Tom

What I was thinking I'd do is put one filter between the compressor and altaros, and another between the altaros and tank (diablo or similar). That way, I'd have 3 filters total which I'd hope would catch most everything.


 

[John "spysir" Blount]

I am using a Harbor freight "dryer" for painting then a "loop dryer" - 13' of metal pipe with bleeders and that is behind a blast shield , just how my shop came set up- seems to work well.

I seem to recall altros ( or???) saying it doesn't matter is oil free or not ( I certainly could be wrong about that) BUT I have always been told NO petrol products at all, not a fume so I went oil-less.
I also went with an under rated "hotdog" compressor, on sale $99.00. Rather low CFM @ 90psi , maybe 3.4cfm and I think those ratings may be like some "1,000fps" claims? It may fill slower but it does work just fine.

I am using the Altros booster. ( and mine ONLY came with the 2 large O-rings for a re-build kit but that's just some mistake I believe.




John

 

[Maineiac]

My Altaros has cleared customs! Should be arriving soon.

What type of fitting does the Altaros use for input? Is it a standard 1/4" NPT quick connect that I can find at Home Depot?

 

[jfrazier30]

Keep in mind... It's really difficult to remove moisture from hot/warm air. Put your filter far enough down the line, that the air has cooled off. Running hot air through a filter that is right next to your compressor won't capture very much humidity.

 

[intenseaty22]

"jfrazier30"Keep in mind... It's really difficult to remove moisture from hot/warm air. Put your filter far enough down the line, that the air has cooled off. Running hot air through a filter that is right next to your compressor won't capture very much humidity.

I had a spare mini-fridge that I was going to run the hose through, but screwed it up by puncturing it. So, off to plan B. I will run the hose through a cooler 1/2 full of water and will place a frozen gallon of water inside as well. That seems to do the trick during the trial run with a 5 gallon bucket. 

 

[Imold]

Craftsman makes a nice 6hp oil less compressor for the shop, at least you can do more then air up tires with it. I was going to buy a Booster and then run airline thru my duct work to my computer room upstairs, that way I wouldn't have to hear the compressor start and run but I decided to go with a full size AV Compressor instead, just because it's faster then a Booster.

 

[mark404]

It may be a little overkill and they are not cheap but you might want to look at refrigerated air dryers if you live in a humid area.
they get the moisture down to less than 1%

 

[KyPop]

Maineiac, yes, it is a standard 1/4″ NPT quick connect. I just got my ALTAROS booster and a new Campbell Hausfeld Air Compressor, 20-Gallon Horizontal Portable Single-Stage 10.2CFM 3.7HP 208-230V 1PH (VT6182) from Amazon for $485 and free shipping. I haven't even used it yet to top off my Taipan rifles but I did use the booster with my old 2.9 CFM @ 90psi compressor with it and it seemed to work fine just maybe a little slow. Sure beats pumping with a Hill pump by a mile! I got all of my fittings @ Lowe's but I'm sure Home Depot would have what you need also.