Posted by Sherman in Idaho [72.47.153.61] on Friday, February 20, 2015 at 16:34:21 :
Since the subject of air compressors comes up from time to time here, and people want to know how big a compressor they need to run their tools, I thought I'd post a bit about one that is surely adequate. This is a 500 HP, 2700 CFM Ingersoll at the Sunshine Mine. They recently brought this "little" compressor back into service because, due to the lack of activity at the mine, their modern screw compressor cost too much to run. The history of this unit is that it was at Pearl Harbor during the attacks, and when it was surplused, was used in the construction of Libby Dam in Montana, and then bought by the Sunshine and moved there in 1974. It has two double-acting pistons. The Allis-Chalmers 500 HP 40 pole synchronous motor turns at 180 RPM. I apologize for the poor quality of the video and sound. All I have is a little pocket camera. Maybe somebody can improve it. But I thought it might be fun to share. As you can see, it takes about a minute to come up to speed, unloaded, and then when it loads up the sound changes dramatically. At one point, they were starting to scrap it out, which is why the cooling water piping is just PVC.
Follow Ups: