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Diesel Air Compressors

Petrol Air Compressors

AIR COMPRESSORS

Diesel Air Compressors

Airpower design and build our standard diesel driven air compressor models and keep it in stock, but also build units to customer requirements. Although you can buy a diesel unit with a recoil starting rope, Airpower always recommend an electric starter on a diesel unit.

OUR RANGE OF DIESEL AIR COMPRESSORS IN CAPE TOWN

Why you should buy the correct diesel air compressor for your application?

There are four reasons why you must buy the correct air compressor for the application.

  1. 01You buy too small and either your efficiency is much lower than what it would have been with correct unit or you cannot do the work at all.
  2. 02You buy too big, you waste money and your compressor is running too cold and cause other technical problems.
  3. 03You buy the wrong duty cycle quality, the machine will not last.
  4. 04You buy a compressor with too low pressure and you cannot do the work you bought it for.
AP12-30-150DE compressor

How do you select the correct air compressor?

There are three important figures you must take into account when you want to select the correct diesel air compressor:

  1. 01What volume of air do you require?
    This is liter/min or Cub Feet per min (cfm) or m3/min. Without one of these figures, you are lost. You will have to get technical advice from Airpower. It is our best product and it is free.
  2. 02What pressure do you need?
    This is measured in kPa, Bar, or psi. Your compressor has a cut-in and cut-out pressure. The cut in pressure must be higher than the minimum pressure you require. Take into account that you still have a pressure drop from the compressor to the point of use. View our Online Compressor Tools to determine your pressure drop from a compressor to your point of use.
  3. 03What will your duty cycle be?
    Select the compressor suitable for the duty cycle.
Diesel compressor

What is less important when you select the correct diesel air compressor:

  1. 01The tank size is not so important.
    The tank size only determines the cut in and cut out cycles and will be determined by the designer of the unit. The tank size is only important if your air consumption is high for a short while and then low for a long time.
  2. 02How many pistons the unit has is not important.
    The output of a compressor is not determined by how many pistons it has. The pressure is determined by how many stages the compressor has and you need at least one piston per stage.
  3. 03It is not important if the pistons are inline or in a V configuration
    As long as the piston pump cycles are equally spaced over the 360° turning of the flywheel. If not equally spaced, the compressor has lower efficiency and the delivered air is much warmer than when the pistons are equally spaced.
Petrol Air Compressors

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are diesel air compressors used for?

Diesel air compressors are commonly used in remote or off-grid locations like construction sites, mining operations, and rural areas. They’re ideal where electricity isn’t available and where portable, high-output compressors are required.

What are the benefits of using a diesel air compressor?

Diesel compressors offer excellent mobility, powerful performance, and independence from electrical supply. They’re durable, suited for heavy-duty use, and perfect for outdoor and mobile applications.

How do I choose the right diesel air compressor for my needs?

To choose the right model, consider three key factors: required air volume (L/min or CFM), desired working pressure (Bar or psi), and the duty cycle (intermittent vs continuous use). Airpower provides free expert guidance to help you select the correct compressor.

Why is an electric starter recommended over a recoil rope on diesel units?

Electric starters offer greater reliability and ease of use, especially in rugged or large diesel models. Recoil ropes can be physically demanding and less dependable over time, particularly in colder conditions.

Can Airpower build a custom diesel air compressor for my application?

Yes. Airpower designs and manufactures standard diesel compressors, but also builds units to customer specifications—factoring in tank size, pressure, flow rate, and even generator integration if required.

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