The International Cessna^® 170 Association

OK,... here's the exchange that I've had with Campbell-Hausfeld regarding the 6 HP rating of my example of their compressor:

I wrote to them:
My CH air compressor (60 gal, 6 hp) unit claims 6 HP on the decal and sale brochure/owner manual. But the motor says: HP- SPL and it's rated 240 volts/15 amps. That equates to only 4.8 HP INPUT. The question is discussed at our online discussion forums: http://www.cessna170.org/forums/viewtop ... 879#p48879 How is the horsepower rating derived for the unit? How did CH justify labelling the unit 6 HP?

They responded:
What is the model of the unit?
Thank You

I wrote:
It is a VT619503AJ

They responded:
The unit used to be rated at a peak Horsepower and now they are rated at a running horsepower. The running horsepower of the unit is 3 HP.

I wrote again:
That answer makes no sense at all. Please re-read the original question. The motor INPUT is only 4.8 hp....(240 volts times 15 Amps) there's NO WAY that PEAK would ever be 6 hp. Please advise how this unit was marketed as a SIX HP unit. THANK YOU.

They have responded:
We want you to speak with our technical rep for your product. Please use the link below to our "Contact Us" page, where you will find the technical help phone number for your product.

Sooo... MIles/BluElder/AllOtherExperts: Whaddya think they're gonna wanna discuss?....
And what are the chances I'm going to be offered a replacement?

This is getting to be considerably more interesting.

Go get 'em, George!

Upon receiving their last communication ("We want you to speak with our technical rep for your product. Please use the link below to our "Contact Us" page, where you will find the technical help phone number for your product.") ....

... (I was thinking it better to get things in writing... and due to the inconvenience of my physically using a phone in the simulator)...I responded thusly :
"Physical disability prevents my use of the telephone. Please have your technical rep explain via email. Thank you."

Their "technical rep" has responded:
"Peak horsepower is the maximum output that a motor can produce while the motor has the start windings engaged. Peak HP can be as much as 5-7 times the rated or running HP.

After many years of rating and advertising air compressor horsepower values based on “Peak” or “Maximum Developed” testing criteria, a group of manufacturers specializing in providing the typically smaller, home/workshop type air compressors will change over to rating and advertising the horsepower testing criteria called “Continuous” or “Running” horsepower. The latter rating system is now widely used in the industrial air compressor market and this move will commonize horsepower rating systems between both markets.

The old “Peak” or “Maximum Developed” testing/rating system generally provided higher numeric values for horsepower ratings than the “Running” system for the same motor. To assist in the understanding and transition to the eventual lower value, single common “Running Horsepower” system by December 2005 (initially indicated as March 2005), many manufacturers and retailers will, for a period of time, show numeric values of both systems on their products and in advertising.

As always, choosing the right air compressor for your identified needs certainly does not depend upon the horsepower rating value alone. Many other factors such as…

1. the maximum air pressure (PSI) developed,

2. the volume (SCFM) of air produced by the pump,

3. the size (gallons) of the reserve air tank,

4. and, the length of time required for recovery of full tank pressure

…will determine the overall performance capability of the air compressor system. Plus, other factors such as voltage, amperage, ease of operation, weight, and storage or portability features need to be considered as well."

In other words.... they lied when they first sold it. It's still more compressor than I need and it won't fit in the trunk of the car. (Guess I'll have to buy a more macho vehicle!)