Need new compressor pump

[Arcticcat340]

Greetings everyone, I found this community while doing some googling and the threads I found everyone was helpful so I want to throw another challenge at you.

I bought an old Campbell Hausfield 60 gallon vertical compressor. I'm trying to determine how many horsepower my motor is. I'll post a picture of the motor tag. The pump is a vt5187 which I need to replace. I'm thinking of using the harbor freight pump but don't know if I should get the 3 or 5 horse pump.

Here's an image of the motor tag. I'm not sure what 3.SPL means for horse power but based on the math (V*A)/746 = HP I should have a 4.6hp motor which I assume rounded to 5hp.

If anyone could provide me with some insight or guidance it would be much appreciated

 

[old]

Tag says 3 horse power special as in compressor duty. I just got a 5 horse power compressor duty motor from the surplus center for a little over $250.

 

[Arcticcat340]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "3 horse power special as in compressor duty"? So is my motor a 3 horse or a 5 horse?

 

[Bob Harvey]

I think it is a method of claiming 5HP for special purposes - like tricking the purchaser. You would be well advised to buy a 'real' 5HP motor.

 

[neverfear]

He's shopping for a replacement pump.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Harbor Freight has two compressor pumps. One is for a 3hp motor and the other is for a 5hp motor. If you work by yourself 5hp is over kill. I bought a 5hp compressor when I had employees and when I started working by myself it rarely ran even sandblasting. If you have a 3hp motor I would go with the 3hp pump.

 

[Steve@Advance]

That is about a 2 1/2 horse. Go by the amp rating, not the HP. It is a common practice for compressor mfgs to over rate the HP. Why, I don't know. It's a shady marketing technique that most people are now aware of.

If you replace the compressor, it is necessary to properly size the motor pulley to get the rated RPM for the compressor.

The 2 have to work together to get the best efficiency from the motor.

The new compressor should come with information to get the rated HP/RPM combination. Once you get it set up, you'll need to check the actual amp draw of the motor.

A properly set up compressor will load the motor right to the rated amp draw when the tank is pressurized to the cut out point. It is acceptable to have the amp draw below the rating, but never exceed it.

You can buy a split pulley for the motor that can be adjusted to fine tune the amp load.
Motor Amp Chart

 

[old]

As per the company it is 3HP but made for compressor duty as in to start wit a heavy load

 

[Bob Harvey]

Ahhhh...

 

[hd6gtom]

Its a 3hp rated motor to be used on an Air Compressor. Buy a 3 Hp pump.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Buy 3 hp. Then buy an ammprobe and make sure you keep your amps are under 15. Make sure you motor
doesn't stress on starting. You may need to buy a smaller pulley. Running a compressor a little slower
won't hurt a thing.

 

[Mule Meat]

SPL Does not stand for "Special".

Its is a marketing ploy to dupe the consumor. Many compressor manufacturers who play the "alleged horsepower" game like to put the initials 'SPL' in the horsepower line on the nameplate. They are afraid you'll compare the nameplate rating with the advertised rating and call their bluff.

So if you see a compressor that has "5 HP painted or stickered on the tank sitting in a big box store". Look closely at the motor tag. If it has SPL after the number in the H P box. Whatever the number may be. That is the HP of the motor.

[b:003fcdb834]Articat's[/b:003fcdb834] motor (3 SPL) is nothing more than a 3 hp general purpose motor.

 

[Roger in Wisconsin]

C&H sells replacement valve plates for their compressor
units. That might be all you need.

 

[Mule Meat]

A true 5 HP Compressor duty motor tag.