Thread: Air Cannon/ Over Heated Compressor Help!

Tweet

I built an air cannon last year and it was a hit! Scared the Sh*t out of everyone that walked by. Only problem is, my compressor over heated and blew the Circuit Breaker half way thru the big night. Its a 3HP/10 Gallon Compressor connected to the Air cannon which is a 7 gallon resevoir tank. Compressor fills to 115 PSI and refills at like 90 PSI I believe. The Air Cannon was set at like 30 PSI when fired. It was on a timed motion sensor so it only fired at the minimum every 2 minutes. I know Air Cannons are air hogs but any ideas on how to fix this problem? Bigger Compressor? Another resevoir tank between the compressor and Air Cannon?

Check the amps on the motor of the compressor and make sure the circuit breaker is rated to handle the load, that would be the first thing I'd check. Did it actually overheat or just trip the breaker? If it did overheat ,you would need to put it in an area where it will get good airflow to keep it cool.

Originally Posted by bfjou812

Check the amps on the motor of the compressor and make sure the circuit breaker is rated to handle the load, that would be the first thing I'd check. Did it actually overheat or just trip the breaker? If it did overheat ,you would need to put it in an area where it will get good airflow to keep it cool.

Im pretty sure the Circuit is rated to handle the load, it did fine for half the night. I think it might have been just overheated. I had in enclosed in a "sound suppressing 3 sided box" that I made for it to cut down the noise. I left some room i it for airflow but maybe not enough. Guess I'll try it again but this time with a couple fans blowing across it. Maybe that will help ? Im just worried because I plan on building another pneumatic prop or 2. Maybe I just need to put an extra resevoir tank at each prop

I think you answered your own question with the cooling issue. If the compressor didn't have enough air to cool it it will overheat, adding extra reservoir tanks will increase storage, but also increase run time to refill them. It could be as simple as turning the compressor so the side with the fan on it is facing the opening in the enclosure so it brings fresh air coming in. Also make sure the enclosure is large enough to allow the air to circulate out of it. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by bfjou812

I think you answered your own question with the cooling issue. If the compressor didn't have enough air to cool it it will overheat, adding extra reservoir tanks will increase storage, but also increase run time to refill them. It could be as simple as turning the compressor so the side with the fan on it is facing the opening in the enclosure so it brings fresh air coming in. Also make sure the enclosure is large enough to allow the air to circulate out of it. Hope this helps.

Well I thought I built it big enough for the air to circulate but guess not. And I didnt think about it having to replenish the resevoirs too, so thanks for the heads up. I wish the tank filled to more then a measly 115 PSI. It kicks on when it drops to 90. Im thinking of just splurging for a Husky 30 Gallon tank thats rated to like 155 PSI. That way I have more air AND it won't kick on as much if it has to drop from 155 to lets say 90 before kicking on again. Thoughts?

Bigger is better!! LOL!! What you need to look at really is volume of air being used. I have a 5 hp, 60 gallon upright compressor and it puts out about 15 scfm @ 90 psi. I have it set @ 110 psi so it is a little less effiecent but I use mine mostloy for air tools. It ia a single phase 220 volt unit and is definetly not portable. You could go with something like that and just run air hose or tubing to the desired prop. A 10 gallon tank seems sort of small to me. just remember that size of tubing ,air hose , cylinders all start to add up fast. What you probably should do is try to add up all of the devices that will be used and size accordingly. Remember pressure doesn't necessarily equal volume. Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by bfjou812

Bigger is better!! LOL!! What you need to look at really is volume of air being used. I have a 5 hp, 60 gallon upright compressor and it puts out about 15 scfm @ 90 psi. I have it set @ 110 psi so it is a little less effiecent but I use mine mostloy for air tools. It ia a single phase 220 volt unit and is definetly not portable. You could go with something like that and just run air hose or tubing to the desired prop. A 10 gallon tank seems sort of small to me. just remember that size of tubing ,air hose , cylinders all start to add up fast. What you probably should do is try to add up all of the devices that will be used and size accordingly. Remember pressure doesn't necessarily equal volume. Hope this helps.

LOL this is true I definitely want the 30 Gallon tank but hard to justify the $400 when I have a perfectly good compressor in the garage ya know? But if I'm going to spend X amount of $ on resevoir tanks and hoses and stuff that could very well be spent towards the 30 Gallon. So confused what to do!! LOL And I do appreciate all your help Thank you

Rewire your compressor to run on 220V. That should help the heat issue. Put a fan to circulate the air into your noise suppression box.

Use a different style of air cannon like this one that doesn't use as much air.
Air Cannon Pneumatic

Did you have it on a drop cord? I know some times if I have to pull to much cord, after a while it will throw the breaker. Not just my compressor, but my table saw also.

Originally Posted by brushe

Did you have it on a drop cord? I know some times if I have to pull to much cord, after a while it will throw the breaker. Not just my compressor, but my table saw also.

Nope, was plugged straight in to an outlet