Voltage Conversion of Chinese 220v 4500psi compressor

[Nittany318]

I just bought a compressor through eBay for my refill station. When it came, it was a 220v compressor. That’s a problem for me since I have only 110v outlets in my house. Has anyone here ever been successful in converting one of these? Particularly interested if the step up / step down converters work.

 

[airgunfans]

Will it be much simpler and cheaper to return it and get a 110V version ?

 

[lenweber2]

If your Elec. box is in the garage or an area where the compressor will be it is a simple wire in for 220. Or if your dryer is Elec you could tie into that 220 for an outlet. 

 

[vinny]

yup I’ve seen a few people do that. They just hooked a clothes dryer electrical whip to their compressor and unplugged the dryer when they wanted to use the compressor, but they had their dryer in their garage and one had it in their mud room, works great for them

 

[dormitionskete]

You can get converters to step down from 220 to 110 for small appliances that are low amp. To go up to 220, as lenweber2 said, you will need an electrician to wire you a 220 outlet, or you can tie into one if you have one for your dryer.

Amazingly enough, a 220 is made by combining two 110 lines. I'm not kidding. I did it myself last year with a little over-the-phone tutorial from someone who knows more about it than I do.

Similarly, if you had a 220 outlet, and needed a 110 nearby, you could tie into it using only one of its lines -- in most cases.

Neat stuff.

I'm not a certified electrician, but none of this is all that hard. If you can't return your compressor to ebay, and if your living situation allows it, your best bet is to call an electrician, or if you have a friend who's ever worked in construction, they could probably wire you one pretty easily.

We have a novice in our monastery who is an electrical engineer. He's working in Denver today, but if you really want your compressor to work on 110, if it can be done, he could probably do it. But it'd have to wait until he gets back late tonight to even ask him about it.

Hope this helps.

 

[Brian10956]

Here is directions on how to do it

https://www.askmediy.com/how-to-install-a-220-volt-outlet/

 

[Nittany318]

I’m in the process but the seller is dragging his feet even though his listing states free returns. Can’t turn it over for eBay arbitration for another few days. In the meantime, my new Daystate is collecting dust in the closet..

 

[Humdinger]

There is another consideration for not converting a 220 volt compressor to 110 volts. It doubles the amperage draw. Therefore even if you convert the wiring in the compressor to 110 volts you must connect it to a 110 volt 30 amp outlet. Try finding one of those in a home. You won't. Most 110 volt receptacles are rated for 15 amps, and a few such as washer outlets are rated for 20 amps. You won't find a 110 volt outlet rated for 30 amps unless you are an electrician and did one for a special reason. Return the 220 volt compressor and buy a 110 volt replacement. It is easier and less problematical in the long run.

 

[Nittany318]

I finally got a return label for the compressor. Shipping it back today. Thank you everyone who answered my post. Now that I’m in the market for a PCP compressor again, does anyone have any recommendations? I’d like to stay around a grand tops.

 

[Nittany318]

Anyone have an opinion on high quality compressors. I’m going to buy one in the next couple of days and would appreciate some input from people I trust. I have been looking at the Daystate (Contri) 110v and the Omega Supercharger.