Buying Guide: Diesel Air Compressor

Air compressors are powered differently. Some are powered by petrol. They are called petrol air compressors. Others are diesel-powered. These are known as diesel air compressors.

In this guide. our focus will be on the diesel air compressors. We will cover key aspects that you need to know about them. We will also advise you on how to buy the best diesel air compressors in China.

 What are diesel air compressors?

A diesel air compressor is a diesel-powered air compressor. It uses diesel as the energy source to power the motor that drives it.

Types of diesel air compressors

There are different types of diesel air compressors: portable diesel air compressors and stationary diesel air compressors. As their names imply, one can carry it around while the other is fixed in one place.

Portable diesel air compressors

 are used for construction and on-site jobs. The diesel engine supplies the power needed to run the compressor.

Stationary diesel air compressors

These are intended for use in workshops. They feature storage tanks that hold compressed air at high pressure, like commercial models. 

These are heavy-duty diesel air compressors with diesel engines that run on diesel fuel.

Truck-mounted diesel air compressor

These diesel air compressors are mounted on trucks. They can be used to provide compressed air for hydraulic fracturing (fracking) that uses diesel-powered pumps. The trucks enhance the mobility factor of these air compressors as they can easily move to the desired locations.

 What are the benefits of diesel air compressors?

– They are affordable compared to petrol air compressors.

– Diesel is cheaper than petrol. So diesel air compressors are usually less expensive than petrol air compressors.

– They can be very efficient in operation. Diesel air compressor saves more diesel engine power by using a lower compression ratio. This makes it possible to use diesel engines with high brake horsepower at low rpms for better performance and fuel economy. 

It also permits the installation of larger diameter pistons for increased displacement, resulting in higher torque, while maintaining good low-speed diesel engine response times. The result is that diesel air compressor achieves higher performance under actual operating conditions.

– Diesel air compressors are more reliable than petrol ones because diesel is less volatile than petrol.

– The diesel engine offers better overload protection. It allows the diesel compressor to maintain power and speed during heavy-duty work. This makes diesel air compressors a good choice for running high-powered tools such as impact wrenches, grinders, and pneumatic hammers. 

This feature also enables diesel air compressors to work continuously for an extended period without overheating or low air pressure problems.

– The diesel engine used in diesel air compressors reduces noise levels making the diesel air compressor much quieter compared with petrol engines.

How does a diesel air compressor work?

In a diesel air compressor, diesel fuel is injected into a combustion chamber. The diesel then mixes with air and ignites.

 This produces high pressure, high-temperature gas which drives the air compressor pump and pressurizes the air in storage tanks.

The diesel engine can be started using an electric starter motor or by priming the diesel engine with compressed air from the diesel air compressor itself, if it has an onboard tank.

This way of starting ensures that diesel engines run smoothly without jerking motions when they get started. There is also no need to adjust valves before running since there are none on a diesel engine.

 It also reduces wear and tear on components such as injectors and valve seats.

How should I choose the best diesel compressor? 

When choosing a diesel air compressor you need to consider:

1) Engine: you want an engine that runs smoothly, which means it operates quietly with few vibrations. The diesel engine should also have a long service life and minimal breakdowns.

2) Airflow capacity: this is the volume of air that flows through an air compressor in one minute at maximum pressure. It is measured in standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM). If you need to run high power tools such as pneumatic drills or grinders then go for one with higher airflow capacity.

 Be aware that if you opt for a diesel air compressor with a higher SCFM rating, then it will be heavier than usual because diesel engines are bigger than petrol ones.

3) Tank size/tank pressure: this refers to how much compressed the diesel air compressor can hold. A diesel air compressor with a larger tank can hold more compressed air.

4) Horsepower: the diesel engine won’t do anything for you if it has insufficient horsepower. It is best to go for one with a diesel engine that delivers at least 2 to 3 peak horsepower at 1,800 rpm.

5) Horsepower-to-weight ratio: this tells you how much horsepower your diesel air compressor will deliver per pound of its weight. The higher the power-to-weight ratio, the better your diesel air compressor will perform. So opt for one with a power-to-weight ratio of 4 or more.

6) Air storage tank/tank pressure: diesel air compressors are typically available in two versions concerning their compressed air capacity: 60-gallon and 30-gallon. Both diesel air compressor tanks can give you the same performance. It is just that the larger diesel air compressor tank will hold more compressed air for longer periods.

7) Motor control: diesel air compressors usually offer two types of motor control: intermittent service and continuous duty. If you need a diesel air compressor to work continuously for an extended period without overheating or low air pressure problems then opt for one with continuous duty motor control. 

If your diesel air compressor needs to work intermittently, i.e., it will get switched off after short periods of use, then get one with intermittent service control.

What is the price of a diesel air compressor?

Generally, air compressors are more expensive to buy than their petrol counterparts. The diesel air compressor price also depends on the type of diesel engine it uses, its horsepower rating, SCFM rating, storage tank size/pressure, and motor control.

Conclusion

To summarize, diesel air compressors are more efficient than petrol versions because diesel engines are bigger, run more smoothly, have fewer vibrations, are noiseless, and do not need to be adjusted before running. 

Additionally, diesel air compressors can work continuously without overheating or low air pressure problems.

If you need a quiet diesel compressor to use at home for infrequent and light-duty applications such as inflating tires and sports equipment then check out portable diesel air compressors. 

On the other hand, if you need a diesel compressor for professional use in an industrial setting with high power tools or one that runs non-stop for extended periods then invest in a stationary diesel air compressor.

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