On board air intake/output pipe size difference

So I've gone through and designed my air compressor system. The one thing that I can't find information about is, if I need to match the pipe size of the intake on the compressor to the size of the output.

I have 3/8NPT intake and output elbows at the compressor. I was going to reduce the output to a more standard 1/4NPT, but leave the intake at 3/8NPT.

This is on a York 210.

Does it matter if the sizes are different?

 

Mine has what your suggesting. Though it fills the tires a llittle slower than I like. I go from 4 lbs to 15 lbs in about 2-3 minutes

 

the output could be smaller the compressor in the shop runs 1 inch intake and 3/4 to the tank and that thing is 55 years old and running strong....

 

thanks guys. I wasn't sure if having different sizes puts added strain on the compressor.

 

Using a York as an air compressor actually is little strain on it compared to when used as an a/c compressor. I wouldn't worry about it. A/c compressors typically have two sizes of fittings. Larger on the suction side because it needs to pull in volume and smaller on the discharge size because of trying to maintain pressure.


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I tried to keep it all 3/8 but really it still all has to go through the schraider valve so,,,,,,,, I don't think knocking it down would matter .my air tools are very happy though .

 

Yeah, I should add that if air tool use is the plan it would be better, if possible, to keep the inlet and outlets the larger size. Air tools typically demand a fair amount of volume so restricting the size of port can reduce an air tool's efficiency. It won't "hurt" anything but they do work better with more volume.

 

I do not think the outlet size will matter too much, especially if it is set to 150-175 psi. A 1/4" line will run most air tools (3/8's would be better). I would make the inlet as big and as short as you can and use the biggest air cleaner that will fit. I made an inlet fitting that gave me a direct and short line from cleaner to head.

 

Worst case is you get a little pressure drop. Considering it can put out 175psi. You can afford to loose a little.

 

Am I reading this correctly, you can use an AC compressor as an air compressor onboard?

 

Yup. Very common. The most popular are York or Sanden compressors because of their oil sump (self lubricating) and volume/pressure output. Others can be used with modifications however.


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If you're interested...search on "on board air", "york", "york 210", etc. You should get lots of hits across the web.