broncobowsher
Contributor
So the shop I deal with picked up a used K17 compressor with a 3-phase 15HP motor. I didn't pick it, I didn't spec it, I didn't buy it. But I am trying to get it to work. The building doesn't have any 3-phase. So we are trying to figure out the best route to go. Looked at some phase convertors, but they are not cheap and the amp draw would push the limits of the old panel.
But it has been rumored that the motor can be swapped out with a 10-HP. That is what the old compressor is. I know the wiring is there and can supply it. Not having to rewire the building will go a long way to getting this up and running. Finding a 10HP motor is a lot easier, and cheaper. But this leads me to a problem, I know that the compressor that was engineered for a 15HP motor won't pair very well with 10HP unless something changes. My understanding is we will need to change pulleys to slow the compressor down. But my googlefu isn't good enough to figure how much it needs to be slowed down. Quicky math says with 2/3 the HP, the compressor should run 2/3 the speed. But I suspect that it isn't that easy. And will the compressor even run right at a lower speed?
So any tips on derating a K17 into a 10HP compressor? The 15HP motor is 3490 RPM based on the data plate. I forgot to measure the pulley sizes before I left.
But it has been rumored that the motor can be swapped out with a 10-HP. That is what the old compressor is. I know the wiring is there and can supply it. Not having to rewire the building will go a long way to getting this up and running. Finding a 10HP motor is a lot easier, and cheaper. But this leads me to a problem, I know that the compressor that was engineered for a 15HP motor won't pair very well with 10HP unless something changes. My understanding is we will need to change pulleys to slow the compressor down. But my googlefu isn't good enough to figure how much it needs to be slowed down. Quicky math says with 2/3 the HP, the compressor should run 2/3 the speed. But I suspect that it isn't that easy. And will the compressor even run right at a lower speed?
So any tips on derating a K17 into a 10HP compressor? The 15HP motor is 3490 RPM based on the data plate. I forgot to measure the pulley sizes before I left.