My 5 HP Sanborn air compressor developed a rod knock and died.
Harbor freight has a replacement pump for $99. I goggled to see if
there were any opinions and did not find any. So has anyone had
experience with the above? Thanks. Scott

The HF pumps are chinese knockoffs of other products, typically done in
fairly heavy cast iron but with low levels of quality control. The
result is high infant mortality (don't work at all or die quickly) then
they tend to run for a fairly long time. But don't expect to be able to
get parts after just a few years.

Look for a full cast iron unit, both crankcase, and cylinder. Skip the
aluminum crankcase units as well as the aluminu cylinder with cast liner.

Keep in mind that your "5 HP" unit was probably one of those that came
under the the lawsuit settlement, it is unlikely that it develops a real
5 hp unless you have it on a 240 volt 30 amp circuit. Match your
replacement compressor to the air output specs, not the HP.

Scott wrote:
My 5 HP Sanborn air compressor developed a rod knock and died.
Harbor freight has a replacement pump for $99. I goggled to see if
there were any opinions and did not find any. So has anyone had
experience with the above? Thanks. Scott

I just had a weld come lose on the rail that connects the compresser to the
tank. Seems it wasn't done too well. The compressor is HArbor Freight and
has given about 3 years of good service.

LLB, messingschlager

"RoyJ" wrote in message
nk.net...
The HF pumps are chinese knockoffs of other products, typically done in
fairly heavy cast iron but with low levels of quality control. The
result is high infant mortality (don't work at all or die quickly) then
they tend to run for a fairly long time. But don't expect to be able to
get parts after just a few years.

Look for a full cast iron unit, both crankcase, and cylinder. Skip the
aluminum crankcase units as well as the aluminu cylinder with cast liner.

Keep in mind that your "5 HP" unit was probably one of those that came
under the the lawsuit settlement, it is unlikely that it develops a real
5 hp unless you have it on a 240 volt 30 amp circuit. Match your
replacement compressor to the air output specs, not the HP.

Scott wrote:
My 5 HP Sanborn air compressor developed a rod knock and died.
Harbor freight has a replacement pump for $99. I goggled to see if
there were any opinions and did not find any. So has anyone had
experience with the above? Thanks. Scott

On 5 Oct 2005 21:06:32 -0700, "Scott" wrote:

My 5 HP Sanborn air compressor developed a rod knock and died.
Harbor freight has a replacement pump for $99. I goggled to see if
there were any opinions and did not find any. So has anyone had
experience with the above? Thanks. Scott

If this is the V twin 5hp you're talking about, a friend bought one a
few months back. He's very happy with it, and can't get over what a
bargain it was. It's a large pump, but very quiet with dual intake
filters. Powered nicely by an older 15A 230V motor labeled 3hp.

Wayne

I've ordered one, but it hasn't arrived yet. Wayne, do you know what
diameter drive pulley he used? I will need to know so that I can drive it
at the right RPM. HF doesn't say what the maximum RPM is. I have a 3450
RPM 15 amp, 230 V motor, but will get a 20 amp (5-hp) if necessary. It
would be nice if I can use the smaller motor I already have.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"wmbjk" wrote in message
...
On 5 Oct 2005 21:06:32 -0700, "Scott" wrote:

My 5 HP Sanborn air compressor developed a rod knock and died.
Harbor freight has a replacement pump for $99. I goggled to see if
there were any opinions and did not find any. So has anyone had
experience with the above? Thanks. Scott

If this is the V twin 5hp you're talking about, a friend bought one a
few months back. He's very happy with it, and can't get over what a
bargain it was. It's a large pump, but very quiet with dual intake
filters. Powered nicely by an older 15A 230V motor labeled 3hp.

Wayne

On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 22:26:19 -0400, "Bob Chilcoat"
wrote:

I've ordered one, but it hasn't arrived yet. Wayne, do you know what
diameter drive pulley he used? I will need to know so that I can drive it
at the right RPM. HF doesn't say what the maximum RPM is. I have a 3450
RPM 15 amp, 230 V motor, but will get a 20 amp (5-hp) if necessary. It
would be nice if I can use the smaller motor I already have.

He reports that the sheaves are approximately 4.25 and 14.25 inches
OD. He can't find the paperwork that came with the pump, but says he
chose the motor sheave based on its recommendation. I heard the
compressor running, speed sounds about right, definitely didn't seem
slow, a little fast if anything (for what that's worth). Based on the
amperage, it seems like your 3 hp motor is similar to his so it should
be fine. Please report the details on your setup once it's running.

Wayne

Thanks, I'll work from there when it arrives. Should be here in a week or
so (back ordered). I'll provide a PIREP when I get it running.

--
Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways)


"wmbjk" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 8 Oct 2005 22:26:19 -0400, "Bob Chilcoat"
wrote:

I've ordered one, but it hasn't arrived yet. Wayne, do you know what
diameter drive pulley he used? I will need to know so that I can drive it
at the right RPM. HF doesn't say what the maximum RPM is. I have a 3450
RPM 15 amp, 230 V motor, but will get a 20 amp (5-hp) if necessary. It
would be nice if I can use the smaller motor I already have.

He reports that the sheaves are approximately 4.25 and 14.25 inches
OD. He can't find the paperwork that came with the pump, but says he
chose the motor sheave based on its recommendation. I heard the
compressor running, speed sounds about right, definitely didn't seem
slow, a little fast if anything (for what that's worth). Based on the
amperage, it seems like your 3 hp motor is similar to his so it should
be fine. Please report the details on your setup once it's running.

Wayne