2011 compressor

[AJ R]

Our team ordered the 90C compressor from rjroffroad and the website says 1.03 cfm, but the one we received has .88 cfm printed on the compressor, but the box says it is the 90C. Has any one else come across this?

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by AJ R

Our team ordered the 90C compressor from rjroffroad and the website says 1.03 cfm, but the one we received has .88 cfm printed on the compressor, but the box says it is the 90C. Has any one else come across this?

.88 cfm is suspiciously close to the viar specs scaled for 12 volts instead of 13.8 volts.

[Dale]

The Viair compressors we just received also have the lower rating printed on the side. We ran a side by side comparison between the Viair and the old Thomas compressor filling up a giant Bimba cylinder to the point it was fully extended. I don't have the data in numerical form but subjectively the Thomas was substantially faster. This would be a 0 PSI test. It was running straight from a FRC-style battery.

Sorry for the lack of solid data here but the point is that teams should run their own tests to see if the Viair what they need it to do.

The ones were ordered were supposed to be 90Cs but, like the previous poster, the specs printed on the compressor didn't match the web. Maybe it's a voltage thing or maybe something else. The number on the compressor says it's a 090 but doesn't include a "C".

Could someone with a KOP Viair post the 0 PSI CFM spec that's printed on their compressor? Does your's say it's a 090C or just 090?

[Dimitri]

Is the new compressor for 2011 season as durable as the old compressor? Does anyone know of any problems with it?

[Peter Matteson]

Originally Posted by Dimitri

Is the new compressor for 2011 season as durable as the old compressor? Does anyone know of any problems with it?

Not even close. The duty cycle is really low, around 9%. We burnt one out in 1 regional during Final 1-3 at the WPI regional last year and its failure vented the pnuematics on our robot essentially preventing us from playing in the match after 30 seconds. The compressor had been new at the begining of the practice day.

Make sure you have plenty of storage on board so the compressor has time to cool off.

[Jared Russell]

By the way, AndyMark has started selling these: http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2005.htm

Note that the duty cycle rating is really, really low on these. I recommend keeping around the old Thomas compressors for long practice sessions, if not for the competition bot if heavy pneumatic usage is critical to your design.

[thefro526]

The 2011 compressor seems to run extremely hot from my limited experience with it, and by hot, I mean hot enough to burn your hand if you're not careful.

Interestingly enough, Andymark has started to stock the Valair compressors: http://www.andymark.com/product-p/am-2005.htm

AM's recommendation is that they're not to fill more than a 1 Gallon Tank. There are approximately 231 Cubic Inches in 1 Gallon. From here, you should be able to calculate whether or not you may be overtaxing the compressor.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Peter Matteson

Make sure you have plenty of storage on board so the compressor has time to cool off.

Having extra storage on board will not necessarily help here. The compressor will work just as hard to fill up the extra storage.

[JonathonSchad]

Our team used a Series 215 Thomas compressor for the 2011 season. The Viair compressor is basically the Chinese copy of it. It's the same weight but has a CFM rating of 0.97 which was below the 2011 CFM limit of 1.03. It outperformed it's rating unlike the Viair which wasn't even close to the 1.03 it was rated at.

[Ninja_Bait]

Originally Posted by JonathonSchad

Our team used a Series 215 Thomas compressor for the 2011 season. The Viair compressor is basically the Chinese copy of it. It's the same weight but has a CFM rating of 0.97 which was below the 2011 CFM limit of 1.03. It outperformed it's rating unlike the Viair which wasn't even close to the 1.03 it was rated at.

That looks like a great alternative to the Viair, which does look a little, shall we say, fragile. Why isn't everyone on top of this? Price?

[Mark McLeod]

The Thomas is about $140-150
Here's one source: http://www.streetbeatcustoms.com/Air...RC1550/554425/
Specs: http://www.gd-thomas.com/product.aspx?id=12622&tp=p

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Ninja_Bait

That looks like a great alternative to the Viair, Why isn't everyone on top of this? Price?

Bingo!

We used the Viair at our second competition last year at Smoky Mountain and at two off season events (IRI and CAGE Match) with zero troubles. That's on a robot with seven different cylinders three of which were 2" variety.

Remember compressors are heat generators and must have plenty of air to breathe and cool off or they will not last long. If you are going to be really pushing one hard you should even consider putting a large muffin fan on it.

[Peyton Yeung]

Originally Posted by IndySam

Having extra storage on board will not necessarily help here. The compressor will work just as hard to fill up the extra storage.

I think he means that with more capacity, the compressor won't need to turn on as often.

[IndySam]

Originally Posted by Tubatroopa

I think he means that with more capacity, the compressor won't need to turn on as often.

But when it does turn on it will run longer and that is what will burn it out.

[JDNovak]

If you want reliable air the original KOP Thomas compressor is hard to beat. we have abused them over the years and never have destroyed one. I have had a couple of failures but one was the screw holding the reed valve loosening up and the other was trash under the valve. After maintenance, Both compressors still run 30 minutes at a time filling game elements or tires without complaining.

They are available at EStop Robotics:
http://www.estoprobotics.com/estore/...d&productId=55

It's funny how reliability is directly proportional to price and weight.

There are applications that favor one or the other depending on air usage and available weight.