270 of 277 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Plenty of Power to Offer...but it needs plenty, too., October 23, 2000
This review is from: Porter-Cable CPF23400S 3 HP, 4-Gallon Side Stack Compressor (Tools & Home Improvement)
This is a nice tight little machine which should have plenty of power
to run two hoses at one time, and the professional HVLP spray painting
gun I plan to use with it in my small general contracting business,
BUT, it will need the right power source. I tried the compressor on an
undedicated 15 amp circuit, and it immediately blew the switch every
time. I called Porter Cable and they admitted this 3HP motor NEEDS A
DICATED 15AMP CIRCUIT (with nothing else on the circuit to compete).
I also learned (the hard way, of course) that if you are using the
compressor with a 50' extension chord (with too high a guage) on a 20
amp circuit, the pump will not get enough electricity to pump air
after cutting-in when the tank pressure drops to 110 psi (the
specified cut-in pressure) - the pump will start pumping, but quickly
stop and you'll hear the motor straining until it blows the 20 amp
circuit, too. Porter Cable told me that if I plan to use even a 20
amp circuit with an extension chord, I need to use a 12 (preferable
10) gauge extention chord (ideally 25' rather than 50'), or the pump
won't get enough juice to cut-in properly and refill the tanks. It's
cheaper, my new Porter Cable friends say, to buy more air hose than
the right gauge extention chord - Ah, such knowledge I'm gaining.
Sadly, the compressor arrived with an air intake filter housing badly
bent downward (done apparently at the factory, as the box from Amazon
wasn't damaged), so I couldn't remove the air filter. AND, the drain
valve (to drain water from the bottom of the tank) would not
completely close allowing lots of air to excape from the tank. In my
chats with an Amazon tool sales rep, and later with a Porter Cable
tech rep (to help me unravel the compressor's electrical-needs
mysteries), both Companies quickly and nicely insisted on sending me a
new air intake filter housing and a new drain valve (I guess I'm
getting two of each?) - no questions asked. The machine is fairly
loud, but it only takes my pump about 6 seconds to refill the tanks
from the 110 psi cut-in pressure to the specified 135 psi cut-out
pressure. I figure the noise level goes hand-in-hand with the added
power this compressor offers - power I think I need. Suggestions: the
manufacturer needs to tighten quality controls inspection of the
product prior to boxing & shipping, and the editorial reviewers
need to "call a spade a spade" in write-ups on this tool's
power needs.
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141 of 142 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great General Purpose Portable Compressor, August 9, 2001
This review is from: Porter-Cable CPF23400S 3 HP, 4-Gallon Side Stack Compressor (Tools & Home Improvement)
I bought this compressor to run nail guns, air sand and spray paint. It is much more compact than other units of similar capacity. The controls are conveniently located and easy to operate. There is an on/off switch located behind the main control that will turn off the unit if you leave it plugged in. (I always unplug everything before leaving my shop.) The tank pressure gauge is just behind it.
The main panel has a working pressure gauge with a pressure adjustment knob next to it. This regulates the pressure that reaches the hoses, not the tank pressure. If you work at lower pressures, the unit will not cycle as often. It is also handy to limit the pressure to safe levels for your various air tools. The two quick connect hose couplers are located on this panel also.
You do have to "break it in" before working with it; just open the drain valve and let it run for 15 minutes. Shut it off, close the valve and turn it back on; you're ready for action! The unit really is portable, especially with the well balanced carry handle protruding from the top. I can easily carry it with one hand from the tank side.
I plug it directly into a 20 amp circuit and have had no problems with breakers popping. I wired my shop area with 12/3 to carry enough current for power tools. The unit does not stay on too long when it cycles, so the noise is not really a problem. It is not as loud as large upright compressors, but it does make a fair amount of noise, although not as much as I expected.
It will keep up with nailers and other "burst" applications without cycling too often. I use it with a Souix air sander and it does run longer when I am working. I like to take a break every minute or so to clear dust anyway, so this is not a problem. I don't think it would keep up with two continuous flow tools. Painting on furniture sized projects is no problem. If you take on a tractor trailer, get a bigger compressor.
Overall, this is an outstanding unit with few limitations for the average user. I also consider it an great value, given its capacity and well thought out design. It will be a great addition to your shop. (It will also inflate tires!)
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