WHAT DO YOU USE TO POWER YOUR AIR ENGINES /MOTORS ?
- Thread starter V 45
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V,
Basically you can use whatever you like as long as it turns your engine over, even on some, lung power.
I personally use my shop air supply from a fairly large compressor in a back room, but a lot of people use airbrush compressors and even fish tank pumps for small engines.
The thing is, if you want to run them in the house then that obviously rules out the large shop compressors, and also some of the airbrush ones as well, as they can be rather noisy.
The ideal for running in the home or at a show is one of the 'silent' compressors, but they are usually a lot more expensive than the normal compact type.
Hope this helps.
John
Basically you can use whatever you like as long as it turns your engine over, even on some, lung power.
I personally use my shop air supply from a fairly large compressor in a back room, but a lot of people use airbrush compressors and even fish tank pumps for small engines.
The thing is, if you want to run them in the house then that obviously rules out the large shop compressors, and also some of the airbrush ones as well, as they can be rather noisy.
The ideal for running in the home or at a show is one of the 'silent' compressors, but they are usually a lot more expensive than the normal compact type.
Hope this helps.
John
mklotz
Well-Known Member
For demonstration, I use an inexpensive Harbor Freight airbrush compressor similar to this one,
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html
It's quiet enough that one can conduct a conversation while standing next to it. However, by all means listen to a prospective purchase so you can judge if it's too loud for your ears.
Before I had the compressor I used an air "pig" (portable air tank used for refilling tires) but my larger two cylinder engines drained it fairly quickly. For our low pressure requirements a car or truck inner tube would be a workable, though supremely awkward, possibility.
http://www.harborfreight.com/1-8-eighth-hp-40-psi-oilless-airbrush-compressor-93657.html
It's quiet enough that one can conduct a conversation while standing next to it. However, by all means listen to a prospective purchase so you can judge if it's too loud for your ears.
Before I had the compressor I used an air "pig" (portable air tank used for refilling tires) but my larger two cylinder engines drained it fairly quickly. For our low pressure requirements a car or truck inner tube would be a workable, though supremely awkward, possibility.
I've tried a dual output aquarium pump - without success. Admittedly, it was a small pump, but maybe my machining isn't good enough, which is more than likely.
Now I just stick to using my shop compressor, which sits under a wooden box lagged with old carpet to deaden the sound to a reasonable level.
Dave
The Emerald Isle
Now I just stick to using my shop compressor, which sits under a wooden box lagged with old carpet to deaden the sound to a reasonable level.
Dave
The Emerald Isle
I am currently using a pancake compressor from HF. It is quite loud and the regulator is poor at lower output pressures.
I scavanged a compressor out of a refridgerator that I am hoping will be able to keep pace with an engines air needs. They are nearly silent.
Alan
I scavanged a compressor out of a refridgerator that I am hoping will be able to keep pace with an engines air needs. They are nearly silent.
Alan
As Alan above has said, make one of your own from an old fridge and a small pressure tank.
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=888.0
John
http://www.homemodelenginemachinist.com/index.php?topic=888.0
John
Here's what worked on my very first wobbler:
Short runs only in both directions. The engine performing much better on the 'recharging' stroke, hindsight obvious.
then came a bicycle pump, a dual action hand pump (that was for continous duty), ...
...even used air from a scuba bottle, but that 200bar source was scary.
Of course, THE AIR LINE WAS NOT RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO THE BOTTLE: I only held the pipe close to it by hand.
The engine run rather fast, I would have not been surprised had I had it exploding.
Now, I'm the proud owner of the noisiest commercial 25lt / single cylynder / oil-less air compressor ever produced.
Manages to be a real pain, though enclosed and set into another room.
't was the cheapest, You bet.
Marcello
Short runs only in both directions. The engine performing much better on the 'recharging' stroke, hindsight obvious.
then came a bicycle pump, a dual action hand pump (that was for continous duty), ...
...even used air from a scuba bottle, but that 200bar source was scary.
Of course, THE AIR LINE WAS NOT RIGIDLY CONNECTED TO THE BOTTLE: I only held the pipe close to it by hand.
The engine run rather fast, I would have not been surprised had I had it exploding.
Now, I'm the proud owner of the noisiest commercial 25lt / single cylynder / oil-less air compressor ever produced.
Manages to be a real pain, though enclosed and set into another room.
't was the cheapest, You bet.
Marcello
