Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Air Compressor Questions

Hello folks. My first post here so please bear with me. I did search for the info, but didn't find exactly what I was looking for. I recently purchased an Iron Horse air compressor: 6.5 gallon, 1 HP running, 5.1 CFM@ 90 psi. I also have a 1/2 inch impact wrench (4 CFM) and 3/8 inch air ratchet (4.2 CFM). My question is concerning the duty cycle of the compressor. The stated duty cycle is 50% to 60%, so I guess it's 50%. I know this isn't a great compressor, but I will not be using it very often, and only then to remove a few lug nuts or blow up a tire.

I realize that the 50% duty cycle means that if the compressor motor is running for 30 seconds, then I must let the motor rest for 30 seconds as well. But I have no idea of a safe runtime. Can I have the motor run for 5 minutes continuously and rest for 5 minutes? 1 minute? 15 minutes? I am concerned that not knowing this will lead me to burn out the motor.

Also, anyone have any information on the reliability of Iron Horse compressors? They are made by Eagle Compressors. They have 3 lines, with Iron Horse being the bottom line.

And the last question, is this enough compressor for the tools I mentioned above. Remember, I would not be using the compressor very often. Perhaps 3 or 4 hours a month. Thanks for any help you can offer.

What does your owners manual say---re: using unit.
It appears this machine will shut off by itself at 125psi.
I don't think you will run unit cont. for 5 minutes w/ any tool you have.
Turn pressure up to 125 psi when removing lug nuts--some rusty ones will give you a hard time even at 125psi.
Don't be afraid of it---just use it.....................:):)

Thanks for the response.
The owner's manual is very limited in what it provides. It doesn't even tell you what connections are what. I have never used a compressor before so I had to ask my neighbor what connections were what. The manual mentions nothing about running time other than 50% to 60% duty cycle. It's a very poor manual for a first time owner. Again, thanks for the response. Hopefully it will last a long time.

Oh, don't count on any of those tools running continously for 5 min or even 2min . Not that you would anyway.

Always wondered why they don't say HOW LONG it will provide the listed flow. I know my DeWalt SAYS it will run an impact ratchet or gun, but I KNOW it will only do it for about 15-20 sec w/o losing pressure. So..loosen 2 lugs...wait....loosen 2 lugs...wait....

Quicker to use a lug wrench for me.

Works great for nailers and filling tires...which is what I bought it for.

I don't mean the tool running continuously for 5 minutes. I mean the motor. The tool can run intermittently and the motor still run 5 minutes. Once the psi drops to 90 the motor kicks in. Then if using the tool off and on, it will take longer for the unit to reach the shutoff pressure of 125. I am wondering what the runtime of the motor would be before running into overheating problems. Is it really that bad? 2 lugs, wait, then 2 more? I haven't used mine on lugs yet so I can't tell you what mine is like. What is the CFM, max psi, and tank size of your unit? Being a Dewalt, I am assuming it is a decent compressor.

Is based on 10 minutes. The max cycle, according to the manual, is 60/40 or 6 minutes run/4 minutes rest. The impact should be ok - it works fast, but keep an eye on the ratchet. If you dive into a project like water pump replacement, the heavy ratchet use may burn out the pump.

markiz, thats exactly where I noticed the issue...lol. That and if I continued to run the lugs all the way off the studs after they were broken free.

great, mine is this one......
DeWALT Heavy-Duty 2-3/4 Max HP 4 Gallon Single Tank Electric Hand Carry Compressor (http://www.factoryauthorizedoutlet.com/dewalt/products/D55155R.asp)

..only its the older 125 PSI model. As I said, really more for use with a couple of nail guns, and works just fine for that. I was just commenting on the specs being so misleading. Very few, if any, homeowner models will supply the rated CFM on a continuous basis.

EDIT oh and when I said 2 lugs ...wait...2 lugs...wait....I meant for pressure to come back up...not that I was concerned with duty cycle. Mine takes maybe a minute to come back to 125 psi after dropping to the low pressure setting. Not a problem with nail guns or filling tires, but if I was breaking lugs loose, I could do 2 more tires in a minute.

Gotcha. Thanks for the info. Seems like the manufacturers (or retailers) can put whatever they want on the machine and you still don't know what you're getting.

I have a Craftsman about the same as yours (except is oil - less---will wake up the dead ) I sprayed 2 coats of paint on 1/2 of a car--it held 45psi with no problem---
except the noise...............

while you were painting, did the compressor run continuously, or could it build up enough pressure to kick out?

Most conventional paint guns require a lot of CFM. My first compressor is a little 1hp 11 gal sears model that I bought about 25 yrs ago. I've painted a dozen or so cars with it and once it bled done it would run continously although before a whole quart was sparyed, it was necesary to quit and let the compressor catch up. I've never had any problems with the air compressor running for extended times.

I've since bought a 6hp 60 gal 220volt compressor. Obviously it takes longer to bleed down but letting it run for 10 minutes or so has never caused any problems. I don't remember what the manual said [bought about 15 yrs ago] but I do remember the recomended cycle time was shorter than what it takes to fill the tank when empty :confused:

If Howard's been working much with his oil less compressor he might have trouble hearing you :wall: :D :p

while you were painting, did the compressor run continuously, or could it build up enough pressure to kick out?

It probably ran cont,--it think it kicks in at 90.
When you are spraying a car--you are not thinking about
your comp.---you are a little busy watching what the----
you are doing.
I have not had any trouble w/ my noise maker.
Like I said---stop worring & just use it.
I do have an air filter w/ pressure adjustment screwed to
wall---don't have to bend over to adjust pressures--:)

@marksr----way back when--I had a 3hp 220v comp---we had 6 cars in the family.
Guess who spent every weekend doing body work & spray painting...................

Depending on how old the comp. is, they are/were pretty tough.My old one lasted 20 years of constant abuse. Overheated the elect. motor 1 time. Cooled off ran several more years. Elect motor never failed. Compressor failure(bearing-or would be if they had bearings). For painting, the HVLP is the best way to go. Paint cars, fences, patio furn. ect. only takes about 10-15 PSI(with no wind). Compressor will paint with 60 gal. tank for a while before it comes on.