[Noob81]

I have a 5hp 80 gallon compressor in my basement, but my garage is 30 feet from the house. I have 35 feet of 3/4" pipe running around the basement to cool the air, and an outlet on the side of my house that I plug a rubber 1/4" air line into. The rubber line goes out to the garage and connects to 30 feet of 1/2" pipe in the garage. I cant run metal lines out to the garage due to a massive concrete patio on my back porch. Is the 1/4" air line going from the house to the garage restricting my air flow? Can I pull 15 cfm through that line?

[adantessr]

Originally Posted by Noob81

I have a 5hp 80 gallon compressor in my basement, but my garage is 30 feet from the house. I have 35 feet of 3/4" pipe running around the basement to cool the air, and an outlet on the side of my house that I plug a rubber 1/4" air line into. The rubber line goes out to the garage and connects to 30 feet of 1/2" pipe in the garage. I cant run metal lines out to the garage due to a massive concrete patio on my back porch. Is the 1/4" air line going from the house to the garage restricting my air flow? Can I pull 15 cfm through that line?

From my experience, that 1/4" line is too small for even short runs. Replace even the hose to your air tools with 3/8" and you will be amazed how much better they run. I say go to a minimum of 3/8" line. Using the pi R squared formula, you will see that 3/8" will handle twice the volume of 1/4" . For that run, you may want to get some 1/2" air line. Not sure where to get it from in your area, but I know it is available. Maybe check with a heavy equipment dealership to find out where they get theirs. 1/2" air line is used to power all heavy air tools, such as 1" impacts. Possibly your local NAPA auto parts store will be able to help you out.

Big Al

[dinger]

Get rid of the line in the basement, I really don't think you need that with a good dryer installed. Run a larger line to the garage, 3/8 minimum. Depending on what you use the air for, 3/8 should suffice for everything but the largest tools and your compressor likely won't run those well. The more air hose you run, the more volume you will using. I don't remember the formula, but for every foot of hose, you lose a little pressure. Try this:http://www.gates.com/industrial/pres...043#calculator

http://www.gates.com/industrial/pres...043#calculator

[Old Fool]

The 3/4 line is fine, so is the 1/2 .
the problem is the 1/4.
No matter how big the pipe is on the receiving end the most air you can get is what the 1/4 will flow.
replace it with a 3/4 hose .

[adantessr]

Showing 100 psi at the compressor and 15 cfm output with a 30 foot run you will have a pressure loss of 27.97 psi with 1/4" hose, 3.32 psi with 3/8" hose and .73 psi with 1/2" diameter hose. Thanks to DINGER for the link to the calculator. So the choice is yours. How much pressure loss can you live with ?

[Old Fool]

Every fitting also reduces flow based on the type of fitting

[RichardRonnie]

It is really nice to be visiting your post. I found it very informative.

[delawarebill]

u can put in a 3" pipe all the way... and in the middle u put in a 1/4" pipe.... the max flow is what u get through the 1/4" only.. the bigger pipe is storage of air, not flow...if u change to a 1/2" pipe all the way u'll be fine... keep the elbows to a min too..