With a 80 gal 175psi tank how long can you use a hypertherm 45 or 85?

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Is there a set rule for  a tool use X cfm of air you will get X number of mins from a 80 gals tank at 175 psi till it drops to 100 psi and compressor kicks on.Or how long do you get out of a 80 gal air tank for a hypertherm 45 or 85 till the compressor kicks on ?
Reply:The ability of the compressor to keep up is directly related to the CFM's the compressor is capable of delivering.  Once the pressure drops to the preset cut in pressure the compressor may or may not be able to keep up and you will have to stop and wait for pressure to rebuild.  Look at the CFM requirement for the machine you have and compare it to the available CFM's developed by the compressor.  Mine is overmatched so I can essentially run continoulsy since I always have enough PSI's and volume to maintain the correct pressure to the PM 1000 G3.  It really isnt PSI, It's all about CFM for an easy explanation.BobI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Another thing is, are you doing long cuts or just short ones? Because the plasma cutter continues to blow air through the torch for about 15 seconds after you stop cutting to cool it off.So if you're only doing little short one-inch cuts with pauses in between, you're only going to get a couple of cuts before the compressor cycles on. But if you're cutting one long continuous seam, you might get a foot or so before the compressor cuts on, if that makes sense.
Reply:In the OP's case, I don't see an issue if his hose run isn't too long.
Reply:You simply MUST match your compressor to your plasma machine, like Rbeckett says.The compressor should out perform anything you run with it.  When doing any type of continuous cutting, or short repetitive cuts, the tank will run dry faster than you think.This, I feel is one of the real drawbacks to plasma cutters for the average guy.  It promises a lot, will deliver it, BUT IT FORCES YOU TO INVEST HEAVILY IN AIR EQUIPMENT.  If you don't use the thing a lot, or have other heavy duty air demands, it's hard to justify a good compressor.Stay away from the Lowes/Home Depot/HF "specials", they simply won't hold up.  For a bit more (again that's relative to your budget), get a good one.I've found this to be the best deal out there, and it's done well for me.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/Champion-5-H...item5192bd4defI regularly run a Cutmaster 52, high pressure spray gun, 1" impact gun, etc.  It's never run out of air.  AND IT'S ENTIRELY AMERICAN MADE, INCLUDING A HEAVY DUTY BALDWIN MOTOR."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I bought a 60 gallon Husky compressor from Home Depot.  They are made by Campbell Hausfeld.  I've been very impressed with it.  Cast iron, twin cylinder, relatively quiet once mounted on rubber pads, keeps up with plasma cutting, air tools, etc.  Its designed to run continuously.  I didn't buy it for plasma cutting, bought it for impact tools, spray painting and that type of thing.  But my plasma cutter wants 3.5cfm at 80psi which is can do all day.http://www.youtube.com/user/mrwiggles2?feature=mheehttp://logsplitterbuild.blogspot.com/
Reply:Im not worried about the pump keeping up it puts out 20 cfm @175psi. Im just wondering if the motor will be cycling on and off alot. trying to figure out if a plamsa will work for my small cuts or if its just going to cycling on and off alot.Not worried about long cuts  just all the small hand work ones  Is there a set rule for a tool use X cfm of air you will get X number of mins from a 80 gals tank at 175 psi till it drops to 100 psi and compressor kicks on
Reply:So, what's the problem with cycling??  The compressor is made to cycle"Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:I have an 80 gallon tank on my compressor, which cycles from 90 to 120 psi. When I fire up a Powermax45 with the tank at the high pressure side of its cycle....the Powermax will use air for just under 2 minutes before the compressor pump kicks on. My 14 cfm rated compressor pump then runs for about 50 seconds or so until it is back at about 120 psi.If I readjusted the pressure switch to top out at about 135 psi (max inlet pressure for my plasma)....then there would likely be another 20 seconds or so of cutting before the compressor pump cycled again.My compressor is outside my shop.....so the noise does not bother me when I'm working, however, the wifes horses occasionally complain.Jim Colt Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrIs there a set rule for  a tool use X cfm of air you will get X number of mins from a 80 gals tank at 175 psi till it drops to 100 psi and compressor kicks on.Or how long do you get out of a 80 gal air tank for a hypertherm 45 or 85 till the compressor kicks on ?
Reply:A guy could go on craigslist and just start buying up all the cheap compressors around town and just keep plumbing them all together on one 80 gallon tank. Eventually you'll get enough compressors together to keep up with anything.
Reply:Most compressors will not pump up to 175 lbs.  If they do they are 2 stage compressors. Two stage compressors  generally do not put out as many CFPM as a single stage, because it takes an extra cylinder and rod and piston to get the pressure as high as 175 lb PSI. We have 9 working compressors on the property and all of them except two are single stage. You very seldom have any thing like a tool that needs over 125 lbs PSI. Mac
Reply:Originally Posted by farmersammSo, what's the problem with cycling??  The compressor is made to cycle
Reply:Originally Posted by jimcoltI have an 80 gallon tank on my compressor, which cycles from 90 to 120 psi. When I fire up a Powermax45 with the tank at the high pressure side of its cycle....the Powermax will use air for just under 2 minutes before the compressor pump kicks on. My 14 cfm rated compressor pump then runs for about 50 seconds or so until it is back at about 120 psi.If I readjusted the pressure switch to top out at about 135 psi (max inlet pressure for my plasma)....then there would likely be another 20 seconds or so of cutting before the compressor pump cycled again.My compressor is outside my shop.....so the noise does not bother me when I'm working, however, the wifes horses occasionally complain.Jim Colt
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrIm not worried about the pump keeping up it puts out 20 cfm @175psi. Im just wondering if the motor will be cycling on and off alot. trying to figure out if a plamsa will work for my small cuts or if its just going to cycling on and off alot.Not worried about long cuts  just all the small hand work ones  Is there a set rule for a tool use X cfm of air you will get X number of mins from a 80 gals tank at 175 psi till it drops to 100 psi and compressor kicks on
Reply:OK, if you are actually using a compressor capable of attaining 175 PSI, and you in fact have it set to cut out at 175 PSI...................you are going to consume more kw from your utility company!Because, it requires a very muscular motor to power a compressor that will build a 175 PSI head of pressure.And, because all that extra power/amps consumption is harder on the contacts than say.....120 PSI would be imposing (given the same motor).......you are probably reducing the expected life span of the contacts as well.If you are worried about cycling being detrimental to the life/power consumption...........you need to double the volume of storage capacity by adding another tank (no additional compressor) to your existing system and have your compressor cycle at 120 PSI.
Reply:What your looking for is Boyle's Law. An 80 gallon tank holds 10.6944 cubic feet at 175 PSI. That volume released at 60 PSI will expand to 31.192 cubic feet. This assumes like temperatures so be mindful it's not exact. 31.192 divided by 6 CFM would give a full run time of around 5.19 minutes... pretty close to your original estimate. Here a calculator you can play with:http://www.calculatoredge.com/chemical/boyles%20law.htmIf energy savings is the goal, as others have mentioned, lowering the top end psi will save you a lot of energy... especially if it allows you to refit a smaller motor. Most compress heads have tables that indicate HP requirements based on end use PSI. Dropping the PSI allows you to drop the HP which will save you money. Another place to save is by installing a soft start control on the motor along with an unloading valve to ease the startup inrush draw. Check with your local power company because some offer rebates on soft start controls which means you have little outlay along with a lower monthly bill.
Reply:Here's some numbers to play with. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_c...ank_at_175_psi"The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:Its draws alot more power to cycle the compressor out here is like 16 cent plus perkw. Wears on the contacts more. i was worried every time i do a small pipe cut it would kick on then shut off till the next one 30 seconds later for a whole day. All the little things add up fast
Reply:More stuff to think about:http://rodnh.byethost12.com/misc/cfm%20mystery.htm"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrIts draws alot more power to cycle the compressor out here is like 16 cent plus perkw. Wears on the contacts more.  i was worried every time i do a  small pipe cut it would kick on then shut off till the next one 30 seconds later  for a whole day. All the little things add up fast
Reply:Also, there is another thread on here somewhere recently about a guy that changed his pressure switch over to one for a gas engine drive. His motor now runs continuously while the compressor cycles on and off. Seemed foolish to me to use all that power to pump air through the system while no compresing any of it. To each his own. FWIW my compressor pumps (both the electric and my gas drive) were built in the 70's. They have seen lots of use over the years, and other than new valves have needed no repair. So you are not saving anything by trying to save the contactor. That leaves the start up load alone as your sole reason for worrying over using you plasma cutter.
Reply:Originally Posted by Bigrich954rrIm just wondering if the motor will be cycling on and off alot.
Reply:Originally Posted by VPTA guy could go on craigslist and just start buying up all the cheap compressors around town and just keep plumbing them all together on one 80 gallon tank. Eventually you'll get enough compressors together to keep up with anything.
Reply:Forhire   Thank you   yea i got the eaton compressor  its a little about saving money but i need the higher psi to run Hydraulic things  my old compressor was a 3hp 220volt 200 psi at like 3 cfm.walker  im not sure if it has a magnetic motor starter. i hope so  Thank you guys for the help i have a few ideas nowLast edited by Bigrich954rr; 04-14-2013 at 12:34 AM.
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinThat would make for a joyous work environment!Sam gave you good info in his post, and gave you excellent bang for the buck, You can use those big box store compressors but if you do your homework they run and more than double the rpm to achieve the same results as the upper scale machines. This builds heat, high cycling with the motor and compressor running often builds heat, when you air is hot you will get a lot of moisture and that will be a problem for plasma cutters as well. Buy more compressor than you need, you will need it. LOL"Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum"Lincoln Idealarc 250 AC/DCMillermatic 251   Syncrowave 300   30A spoolgunLincoln MP210Hypertherm 45(2) LN 25(2) Lincoln Weldanpower 225 CV(4) SA200   1 short hood    SA250    SAM 400