Pneumatics Question: I need the Forum's expert experience

[112Haunt]

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I'm a pneumatic first timer and in the process of building two pneumatic props this year (a Creature Crate and a Vampire who will sit up in his coffin). I've done a bunch of web research and peppered the local Harbour Freight manager with questions but have not been successful so I'm turning to the great wealth of info and experience here at the Forum. Each prop has a single, double-acting cylinder (each about 9" throw). with 1/4" fittings. I anticipate adding 2-3 more pneumatic props in coming years of similar size. What size air compressor will I need? I've been told anywhere from a 2 gallon pancake compressor to a 20 gallon monster! Also, it appears 3/8" main airline will be ok but not sure what line material is best (polyethylene, polyurethane or the heavier stuff sold at Harbour Freight)? Thanks very much for your help!

[Jack Skellington]

I would suggest reading through this thread:

Beginner's Guide to Props and Pneumatics

Lots of useful information there.

I use a 2 gallon pancake compressor and it works great. I have a separate 5 gallon tank that I normally connect to the system.I typically run at least 3 pneumatic props all on sensors and don't have any problems with air supply. If I was running an air cannon then I would probably need a bigger compressor. This year I'm up to 5 props using 6 cylinders and I'm still good to go. I built myself a manifold with 3 regulators back in 2009 so I can adjust the pressure to each prop. Surplus Center had regulators for around $7 and I picked up 3 more this year.

[lostskeleton]

Hey 112Haunt,

As far as compressor size the whole idea behind that is how often your compressor will need to start it's motor to recompress the tank, and the max psi.
The larger the tank the longer between repressurization cycles and often times the higher pressure they can reach. Basically it's up to you and there really isn't a right answer.

As far as line goes just make sure that it is rated more than the pressure you will be putting through it, you don't want a blow-out.

Polyethylene or plyurethane will work just great.
Here is a general description of the two:

http://www.hydraulicspneumatics.com/...se/84217/Issue

[craigsrobotics]

When it comes to powering pneumatic props and sizing up a compressor, volume and duty cycle are two of the main factors in choosing a compressor, as well as oil/oiless. get yourself an oiless compressor to start. Now for the quick tutorial: Rated in CFM's or cubic feet/min is the amount of air relative to the distance over a specific time period (basically how much air you can move in a given amount of time). The more CFM, the greater the chance your animations won't "starve" for air. Keep in mind that the air hose diameter also is a major factor. Duty cycle is the rating on how long the motor can run before it needs to "rest". For home use, I use 15 gallon air reservoir tanks with in-line check valves and regulators for every 3 animations which feed off of a main 33 gallon tank 5 h/p oiless compressor set at approx. 100 PSI (the animations have regulators as well). My main feed is a one inch air hose to a manifold, and 3/8" air hose to each reservoir tank. I can power 18 animations cycling about once every 15 to 30 seconds with no starvation of air, and my compressor cycles about once every 20 mins or so. (keep in mind the diameter of the cylinder bore and the stroke length are also factors in air consumption). For the commercial haunt where I work, we have a 360 CFM diesel industrial tankless compressor set at 120 PSI feeding air through a 3 inch hose to manifolds branching off 1" air lines to approximately 30 animations. Just remember, you will want to get a compressor with a fairly large air tank. This way, as you add animations in the years to come, you will only need to purchase a few small air tanks to act as reservoirs. My compressor cost me $280 at Sears, and they "threw in" a pneumatic tool set...Just my nickel-95...

[112Haunt]

I knew I should have come here first! Thanks Jack Skellington, Lostskeleton and Craigsrobotics for your very useful information. I am now armed with the info I need to get the rest of the equipment for my props.
Craigsrobotics - Wow, that must be some elaborate home haunt you have! 18 animated props - it must be amazing.

[Scruffywolf]

Ok,....i've gone through 4 (yes four!) air compressors to get my pneumatics to run correctly and all i can tell you is....GO BIG......heavy duty, cast iron cylinders, good heavy cycle electric motor and a BIG TANK! Trust me on this. Your props, theoretically will be running all night (from 4-8 hours) and, depending on your trigger method, may be required to cycle several times an hour. This puts a great deal of stress on a compressor. I tried small compressors hooked up for each prop and all they did was cycle and make a lot of noise all night. I now have my 30 gallon workhorse in my garage, i run the hoses to the outside and, last year my pop-up coffin (2 cylinders) ran all night long with very few recycles in each hour. In my opinion, my tank could have still been bigger but i got my new compressor at a garage sale and couldn't beat the price........best of luck......'Scruff

[craigsrobotics]

Your welcome! And it's not actually a home haunt...it's more of a "if you want candy, walk up the 40 foot driveway past all my creeps and get some" type of thing...LOL...it's major freaking work for one night, but the neighborhood loves it...and I think i do too..problem is, I keep building stuff and am totally out of room...maybe I can talk the wife into moving out so I have more space?? LOL (kidding)...

If you need anymore answers or specifics, just ask either by a PM or right here! Happy Haunting...

[Industen]

I have 14 pneumatics around 28-30 cylinders running off of a 30 gallon tank and 10 five gallon aux tanks help store the air next to each prop. I also have a 7 gallon that runs another 6-7 cylinders.

Just go as large as you can. It will give you more options later on and follow this advice.

After the compressor exit install a check valve and loop the beginning to the end back to your compressor. Create a Tee after the check valve. The air will take the shortest distance to each prop. Leave your aux tanks check valve free because it will shift the air around your haunt to the areas you want.

Also go 3/8 hose as close to the prop as possible then poly hose usually 1/4 into the solenoid or manifold block.

[Gryphon]

I have to agree with the size and CFM. If you can swing it get the biggest darn compressor you can work with given your electrical and needs and always plan for future. I have a small 3 gallon with a 10 gallon add on tank modified to hook straight to the compressor. In hindsight i wish i had just bought a 10 gallon with bigger pump on it or larger. I only have one prop and it still cycles all the time.