mini compressor

jon_89 · Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:11 pm

first of all does anybody know how those 12v air compressors work?(the ones for your car). secondly is it possible to make one that will run on a rc car motor and a 9v battery? i am not looking for insane pressure but what kind of pressure could i be looking towards? i have looked every where and have been unable to find anything, so any help will be much appreciated. thanks

potatoflinger · Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:14 pm

A nine volt battery wouldn't work for very long running an air compressor, but those small compressors actually work.

jon_89 · Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:18 pm

but can i make my own?

Thrilla · Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:26 pm

A nine volt battery won't even start the compressor, pretty much only car batteries will. A 12v compressor suck a lot of amps, but a battery is only designed to chemically feed some milliamps. Charging a car battery yourself requires some research, if not mistaken they produce explosive hydrogen gas when charging.

I was looking at power supplies yesterday and found one of these for $100, 260psi compressor and 400watt battery powered lol.
http://www.wagan.com/htmls/powersupp.html

jon_89 · Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:39 pm

CAN I MAKE MY OWN THOUGH? i know about these and i have one but i want something that is more portable than carrying a car battery everywhere.

Thrilla · Fri Jul 20, 2007 10:57 pm

Make your own battery bank, yes. Just google around for methods of safe charging.

Make your own battery powered high pressure compressor, I doubt it, it requires a lot of wattage no matter at what voltage, which is difficult to power by batteries besides car battery. Even if you could make a small low powered pump, it'll take forever for it to charge. Sorry mate.

Make your own pump, yes. Just get a bicycle pump, they do pretty good. If you're looking for something under 100psi, just use a propane tank, they're at 90-100 psi @ 25'C.

NoXi · Fri Jul 20, 2007 11:12 pm

I tried using a 12v compressor, but it only went up to 30 psi.

jon_89 · Sat Jul 21, 2007 12:37 am

finaly i get the answer i am looking for. this is a off topic question but do regulators have a certain pressure limit? for example could i use a regulator on co2 or do i have to actualy have a co2 reg.

Thrilla · Sat Jul 21, 2007 1:38 am

All regulators has its own pressure limit. The differences is pretty much different sized/shaped fittings. For spud guns with co2, you can just use any regulator that fits well and can handle the pressure.

Orpackrat · Sat Jul 21, 2007 3:01 am

Some regulators will only go so high in pressure. Not too long ago I was able to pick up a tippmann bottom Line regulator for about $30. They are adjustable from 0-800psi on one side and unregulated on the other side (can be plugged with an 1/8" pipe plug). There is a slight problem with the regulated output though. I have not been able to find an air fitting to fit the threads (10-32 threads). It can be inexpensively overcome though, basically just drill a hole though the center of a 10-32 screw and cut off the head, drill and tap a 1/4" pipe plug to 10-32 threads, put the regulator and 1/4" plug together with the homemade 10-32 air pipe and lots of Teflon tape.

I added a 90 degree elbow and quick disconnect with mine.

shud_b_rite · Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:56 am

The only thing you will be able to run on a 9 volt battery is a lego steam engine that is run in reverse to compress air from a motor. Do a google search for lego steam engines and you will see what im talking about, I think it is quite neat the way lego have made an engine that you can build yourself.