How to Setup Stationary Air Compressor | at Home Garage

Most garage owners prefer stationary air compressors to portable ones. But the million-dollar question is how to set up stationary air compressor? Proper setting up is the key to the flawless generation of compressed air.

Stationary air compressors are fixed in a specific place. These air compressors are larger as well as stronger. You cannot move a stationary air compressor from one place to another. For this reason, you must be careful about the installation of the compressor after buying.

In this article, we will show you the method of setting up an air compressor. This setup includes line installation, piping/plumbing diagram setup, and above all electrical wiring. So why we are waiting for? Let’s have a look at the pros and cons of the air compressor installation diagram.

Stationary Air Compressors in a Flash:

As our main focus is the installation diagram of a stationary air compressor, first of all, let’s see what a stationary air compressor is.

Stationary air compressors are not moveable. They are fixed in a specific place. Do you know why you cannot move a stationary air compressor? Just because of the heavyweight of these air compressors.

Figure: A Stationary Air Compressor

Stationary air compressors are heavy-duty air compressors. The air tank of these air compressors is also large. As a result, you can expect continuous airflow from stationary air compressors.

Now the question is what’s the benefit of continuous airflow? As air compressor produces compressed air. And by this compressed or pressurized air, you can run different air tools. So continuous airflow makes sure the smoothness of work. Even, you cannot run some air tools like paint guns as well as nail guns without a continuous flow of air.

You might be confused that how you can figure out the required volume of air for running any air tools. Then worry not. The required air volume along with air pressure for running any air tools are leveled on the body of the tool. What you need to do is reading the manual book as well as the body of your air tools before working with them.

Categories of Stationary Air Compressors:

We have already realized that stationary air compressors are fixed in a specific place. Now we will see what the types of stationary air compressors are.

Positive displacements, as well as dynamic displacement air compressors, are stationary air compressors. That means a piston air compressor may be stationary or portable. But most rotary screw, axial, and centrifugal air compressors are stationary type. These air compressors are mainly industrial. For this reason, they are large in size and stronger by capacity.

Features of Stationary Air Compressors:

Air Volume (CFM)

• Stationary air compressors have higher CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute). Do you know what CFM is? CFM is the unit of measuring the volume of air. A larger CFM means the air compressor is able to produce more quantity of air per minute. This is the main difference between a portable and a stationary air compressor.
• Most portable air compressors have the largest 3 CFM rating. As the air tank of a portable air compressor is not big enough, it cannot store more compressed air. As a result, you cannot expect continuous airflow from a portable pancake air compressor.
• But, stationary air compressors have a larger CFM rating (5 to 50). Even a stationary reciprocating air compressor can run the air tools which need continuous air to move.
• For example, a paint gun requires 14 to 18 CFM to paint a car. As for painting any surface, you have to shot the gun. And the more times you shot the gun, there may be chance to enter moisture or air with the compressed air. The result is an uneven finishing. To cope up with this type of hazard you need an air compressor with a 20 CFM rating to paint a car.
• All air tools need a specific amount of air to run. That means all air tools have a specific CFM rating. If your air compressor’s CFM cannot meet the required CFM of the air tool, then you cannot run the tool with it. Yet, an air compressor with a larger CFM can run all the air tools with larger as well as smaller CFM ratings.

Air Pressure (PSI)

• Another rating for air compressors is PSI (the pounds per square inch). We all have known well that air compressor produces compressed air. And with this air, you can run thousands of air tools.
• Now my question is why cannot we run our pneumatic tools with the atmospheric air? What is the difference between compressed air and atmospheric air? The answer to this question is air pressure. Compressed air means pressurized air. But atmospheric air does not have so much pressure as like compressed air.
• And PSI (the pounds per square inch) is the unit of air pressure measurement. Like CFM all air tools need a specific air pressure to run. There have two kinds of air pressure for an air compressor. One is the pressure of the air tank; another is the pressure of the compressed air running out the outlet valve.
• For controlling the compressed air pressure there is a regulator. You have to set the regulator pressure according to the need of your air tools before running the tools. Alike the CFM rating the PSI rating is also leveled on the body of every air tool.
• Most air tools run with 90 PSI air pressure. CFM rating also depends on PSI. On the level of all air tools, you can find a specific CFM rating at a particular PSI (in most cases at 90 PSI). But some air tools like a paintball tank need at least 3000 PSI air pressure to fill the tank with an air compressor.
• And of course, a stationary air compressor can reach a larger PSI range than a portable air compressor. The fact is that a stationary air compressor is more powerful. As a result, you can run almost all the air tools with these air compressors.

Horse Power (HP)

• Horsepower is the determiner of the capacity of an air compressor. Larger HP means faster productivity. That means the larger the horsepower of the compressor is, the faster the motor can fill the tank.
• Most portable air compressors do not have stronger motors. The HP range of portable air compressors is 1.5 to 5. On the contrary, a stationary air compressor may have the largest horsepower of 100. So you can easily assume which one is the strongest.
• The benefit of greater horsepower is the largest duty cycle. Are you familiar with the term duty cycle? The duty cycle is the determiner of how much time the motor can keep running within 10 minutes time. It is expressed in percentage (%).
• Let say, the duty cycle of your air compressor is 70%. That means the motor of this compressor can keep running 7 minutes out of 10 minutes. Generally, the duty cycle of the stationary air compressors is 90% to 95%. However, the gross duty cycle of portable air compressors is 50% to 60%.

How to Set Up Stationary Air Compressor:

So the stationary air compressors are the best solution for garage work along with medium to large industries. Now the turn to learn the method of fixing stationary air compressors.

Here we will show you the way of setting up a reciprocating stationary air compressor. An axial or a centrifugal air compressor is not designed for garage use. So our focus is to see the setting diagram of reciprocating stationary air compressor.

Installation of an air compressor consists of:

• Air Compressor Set Up
• Air Hose Fixation
• Regulator Set Up
• Electrical Wire Fixation
• Piping Line Installation

Air Compressor Set-Up:

A stationary air compressor is fixed in a specific place. So you must fix it before running the compressor. There have some criteria for setting up the compressor. They are-

Selection of Place:

After buying an air compressor you need to fix the parts of the compressor. First of all, what you need to do is to select a suitable place for setting the compressor. And for placing an air compressor select a well-ventilated area.

Do you know why you should place the compressor in an open place? Because if you don’t place the compressor in an open place it will not get enough fresh air. As a result, productivity will be slow. Again this compressed air may carry dirt as well.

For getting enough fresh air you need to place the compressor in a well-ventilated room. Again the place should be dry. If you place the compressor in a wet place then it may catch rust. As we all know that rust is the main enemy of air compressors.

Fixing the Compressor:

Figure: Fixing the air compressor

After selecting the suitable place you need to fix it with the concrete of the floor. But you cannot directly fix it. If you do so then there will excessive noise as a result of the vibration of the motor.

To cope up with the noise problem you must place the compressor on vibration pads. For fixing the compressor you need-

• Hammer Drill
• Masonry Bit
• A Piece of Torque
• Hammer
• Bolts and Nuts
• Vibration Pads

The Way of Fixation:

• To fix the compressor unbox the compressor from the shipment kit
• Then place the compressor at least 12 inches away from the wall
• Don’t place the compressor by adjoining to the wall
• If your compressor stand has 3 legs then take three vibration pads
• And if the compressor is a four-legged one then take four pads
• Drill holes on the pads according to the diameter of the bolts
• Then place the vibration pads on the floor to set the compressor over them
• After that place the compressor on the vibration pads
• Drill the concrete of the floor at least 5 inches deeper with a hammer drill
• After drilling the floor place bolts on the holes
• Then use a hammer to fix the bolts perfectly on the holes
• After that, you can tighten the bolts with a torque
• It’s wise to loosen the nuts with 1/16 inch for the safety of the nuts
• Now your compressor is fixed for further setting

Regulator Setup:

Regulator, shut-off kits, pressure gauge, outlet valve all are the parts of the compressor’s outlet section. These components are not pre-set by the manufacturer. You need to set these parts after buying the compressor. But don’t worry about the extra bucks. Because the manufacturer provides all these parts with the compressor box. As there has a chance for breaking these parts while shipment, they don’t fix them before.

Required Equipment:

• Adjustable Wrench
• Regulator
• Pressure Gauge
• Reducer
• Teflon Tape
• Coupler
• Male to Female Thread
• 3/8 Inch by 2 Inch Pipe Nipple

The Method of Setting:

Figure: Regulator setup of an air compressor

• Firstly what you need to do is setting the shut-off kit with the outlet valve
• After that attach a pipe nipple to adjust the regulator
• Now attach the regulator with the pipe nipple by an adjustable wrench
• You need to insert a reducer with the regulator to set up the air hose
• After that set the pressure gauge of the compressor on the specific place for the gauge
• There are two gauges for a stationary air compressor; one is for tank pressure, other is for output air pressure
• Tighten all the joint so that the system does not vibrate while working with the compressor
• To prevent leakage it’s wise to use Teflon tape to wrap all the threads

Air Hose Setting:

Now the turn of setting the air hose. The Air hose plays the bridge between the air tools and the air compressor. But you need to fix the air hose with the compressor as it is not pre-set.

The rubber hose is the most suitable one for the air compressor. Rubber is flexible as well as noise resistant.

The Way of Setting Air Hose:

Figure: Air Hose Installing

• You can adjust the air hose directly with the reducer of the regulator if you want
• Even though you can adjust an air filter with the reducer first to prevent the moisture problem
• According to all the experts, it’s better to use an air filter with the outlet section so that the filter can separate all the dirt along with moisture
• After setting the filter with the reducer then attach the male-to-female thread fitting with the filter
• Then you can attach one end of the hose with the female port of the thread
• Another end is for inserting with air tools which you want to run
• If you want to remove the air hose after every single use you can do it
• Yet if you want to keep it with the compressor then it will reduce the hassle of adjusting the air hose again and again

Air Compressor Wire Installation:

Air compressor is also a mechanical device. It needs the power to work. So after fixing the compressor as well as the regulator you need to wire it. Though some air compressors can work with fuel, electricity is the best source of power. Fossil fuels like gasoline, petroleum are harmful to the environment. By wiring the compressed air system you can not only save your wallet but also can save nature.

Required Tools for Wiring:

• 240 Volt 15 AMP Circuit Breaker Panel
• 3 Pronged Wires
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Philips Screwdriver
• Wrench

The Procedure of Wiring:

Figure: Wiring Diagram

• While wiring keep the mainline of the electricity totally “Off” in position
• Electrical wiring means wiring the pressure switch of the compressor to set the plug
• So, first of all, remove the cover of the pressure switch
• You can unscrew the screws with a screwdriver
• Put all the screws in a safe place so you can find them at the time of covering up
• After that, remove the ground screw of the pressure switch so that you can connect the ground wire to it
• Then fix a strain relief valve on the pressure switch by which you can carry the wires
• Now you need to fix the ground wire which is bare or green with the ground screw and line wires with the line valves
• Adjust black wire with the black line as well as white wire with white line
• Tighten all the terminal screws with a screwdriver so that the connection cannot separate
• Lastly, you can tighten the nut of the strain relief valve with a flathead screwdriver
• After that, your wiring is done
• Now put on the cover of the pressure switch and tighten all the screws with a Philip screwdriver

Electricity Connection:

• After installation of the wires into the pressure switch turn the knob of the pressure switch “Off” position
• Now it’s the turn to plug in the compressor with the electrical circuit
• Make sure to attach the plug with a 3 pronged grounded outlet as using an extension cord is dangerous for a compressed air system
• Turn “On” the mainline of electricity
• After that turn the knob of the switch on the “Auto” position
• Finally, your wiring is done and you can use the system according to your need

Pressure Switch Setting:

• The pressure switch controls the power generation of the motor. There are two types of pressure. One is cut-in pressure; another is cut-out pressure.
• Cut-in pressure is the lower limit of the pressure. On the contrary, the cut-out pressure is the upper limit of the pressure. When the air compressor reaches its cut-out pressure, the compressor motor shuts off automatically. After that, the pressure level begins to drop. And when the pressure level comes to the cut-in level, the motor begins to run automatically.
• There has a difference between cut-in and cut-out pressure. If the difference is too small or too big the system will not run properly. This difference is known as hysteresis.

Figure: Adjusting the Pressure Switch

Setting up Pressure Switch:

• Generally, the pressure switch of any air compressor is pre-set by the manufacturer
• Yet you can adjust the cut-in or cut-out pressure according to your need
• Just open the cover of the pressure switch box
• You will find two screws there; one is larger, other is smaller
• To adjust both pressures turn the larger screw with a screwdriver
• Remember that clockwise means to increase and anti-clockwise means to decrease
• Check how to adjust the pressure switch for learning the pressure switch adjustment as like a pro

Installation of Piping Diagram:

Figure: Plumbing diagram

• A piping diagram or plumbing diagram is a very effective system for stationary air compressors. You can run a series of air tools by plumbing. Do you know what the plumbing of an air compressor is?
• Plumbing diagram means piping the compressed air system. In this method, the compressed air is carried by some pipes. And there have some segments. In every segment, there has a separate outlet valve as well as an air filter. So you can run different air tools at a time with the help of a stationary air compressor.
• As a stationary air compressor has a larger air tank, you can get sufficient compressed air from every outlet. Just click here how to plumb an air compressor for smooth plumbing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Question 1: What is the benefit of installing a stationary air compressor at the home garage?

Answer: Installing a stationary air compressor at the home garage can save your time as well as your wallet. You can run all the power tools like sanders, nail guns, air hammers, grinders, paint guns, etc. at a time by plumbing system.

Question 2: Is it possible to install an air compressor system without the help of an expert?

Answer: Yes, you can set up your own compressed air system. What you need to do is reading the manual book at the beginning. After that, by following all the instructions in the sequence you can fix your own compressed air system.

Question 3: What is the price of a stationary garage air compressor?

Answer: The price of any air compressor mainly depends on the capacity of the compressor. Based on the brands along with ability, the price of a stationary air compressor is from $ 750 to onwards.

Question 4: From where I can select the best air compressor for the project?

Answer: As the Covid-19 pandemic is going on, it’s not wise to go out for any kind of shopping. So you can buy any kind of hardware from an online shop. Amazon is the best marketplace for online purchasing.

Question 5: Which air compressor is the best for garage work?

Answer: It mainly depends on the project. If you have to run powerful machines like paint guns or nail guns then an 80 gallons stationary air compressor is the best.

The Closer:

Stationary air compressors are powerful machines. From inflating flat tires to running any power tools you can use the compressed air of a stationary air compressor.

And the most stationary air compressors are for garage works. So the price range is within the limit of the users. Check out the best stationary air compressor for the money to buy your desired air compressor within budget.

After selecting the right air compressor from stationary air compressor reviews your next step is setting the system. After going through the whole article you have already learned how to set up stationary air compressor. Make sure to follow all the safety measures to prevent any accident.