I have a two hp motor and a air compressor rated for a five hp motor. Can I use pulleys and belts to reduce the power required by the compressor by slowing the drive pulley to the compressor? Longer pumping = less HP ?
Discussion Forum
Get It All!
UNLIMITED Membership is like taking a master class in woodworking for less than $10 a month.
Start Your Free TrialCategories
Discussion Forum
Digital Plans Library
Member exclusive! – Plans for everyone – from beginners to experts – right at your fingertips.
Highlights
-
Shape Your Skills
when you sign up for our emails
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. -
Shop Talk Live Podcast -
Our favorite articles and videos -
E-Learning Courses from Fine Woodworking
-
-
Replies
You can use a lower horsepower motor by changing the drive ratio to compensate. In this case, if the compressor is rated as needing a 5 HP motor at 2000 RPM you could drive it just as well with a 2 HP motor belted to turn the compressor at 800 RPM. Of course you will have a considerably longer recovery time and a much lower CFM as a trade off.
John White
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled