I want a nice compressor for cheap.. only prob is that it needs 220V.. there are only reg outlets in my garage and then these black round outlets ( I don't know what their for).. what can I do about this 220V thing.. does somewhere like home depo sell an adapter of some sort?

 

Sounds like the black outlets might carry 220v. Put a tester on them for sure to check. also they might be stamped 220 ?A. They'll have their own breaker too I'm sure(double wide). If the supply is there ,you can find the correct receptacle, switch off the breaker and change it out, provide everything is set up for the correct amperage(wire,breaker,etc.)

 

wait those black things say 250V and 30A on them.. any way to get them to 220V?

 

I'd get another opinion other than mine , but I think 220-250 is a similar set-up. There should be 3 wires on that receptacle, being one hot at 120v, another hot at 120v, and a neutral wire. If it's rated at 30amp, I would think it's capable of handling a compressor. I believe as a rule the breaker amperage should always be equal or less than the receptacle amperage(assuming the wiring is equal or greater in amperage than the related hardware), Therefore if the wiring is rated at a higher amperage ,an overload or short will trip the breaker........Any electricians out there

 

Well its an obviously different plug.. so I need some sort of adapter... I just wondered if anyone else delt with the same problem w/ a 220V compressor..

 

You are correct, I am a professional contractor with 17 yrs exp.and have owned my own company for 12 yrs.

Regular household plugs have one hot(120v), one neutral, and the center ground. 220 plugs run two hot leads to each side prongs and the nuetral and ground combine into the ground prong. 220v appliances have built-in systems that will properly transition the power wires inside the unit itself. Just throw the breaker off, go to home depot and purchase the correct 220v plug recepticle you need and reconect the wires the way they came off the other one. It only seem scary, but is easy-JUST MAKE SURE THE CIRCUIT BREAKER IS OFF.

 

My Campbell Hausfeld compressor is a 120 volt model, so I didn't have to do any garage re-wiring. But if you can swing a 220 volt model, go for it! The larger MIG welders also run on 220 volts, so you'll have another use for that outlet.

 

Um, you can swap out the plug, I wouldnt recommend an adapter. It is also the same plug a elec clothes dryer uses. (I belive).

 

I know a 220 volt welder uses a different plug than a clothes dryer...