In our day-to-day life, you must have seen the use of an Air Compressor. It is beneficial, and we use it in many ways, such as to fill up gas cylinders, to fill up tires of a car, to operate pneumatic devices, and so on.
If you buy an air compressor, you should learn how to operate it. There are lots of features and functions. One of the essential functions is CFM rating.
You may have seen the CFM rating on your device, but do you know how to control it entirely?
Sometimes you need to increase CFM and sometimes decrease as different tools require several CFM to operate. Here, in is the article, we will discuss how to increase CFM on Air compressors.
But entering the discussion, have a look at what CFM actually is.
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What Is CFM on Air Compressor?
In general, CFM stands for Cubic Feet per Minute, which denotes the amount of air that comes out of the compressor per minute. The more the CFM of an air compressor, the more powerful it is. It is an important term to know about an air compressor because different tools need several CFM. For Example, Suppose you want to properly operate the impact wrench by an air compressor. In that case, your air compressor will require 2.5 to 7 CFM.
An air compressor of 7 CFM means seven cubic feet of air will come out of the compressor tank per minute.
Last update on 2023-03-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why is CFM Important?
Generally, we use an air compressor to operate other tools using the compressor’s air pressure. So, before purchasing an air compressor, the most crucial factor you should check is the compressor’s CFM.
If there is no CFM means you will find zero output from the compressor.
On the other hand, the more the CFM will find immense air pressure from it. That is why, if you need to complete a big task, you must choose an air compressor with high CFM.
How To Measure CFM Rate?
Now, you might be wondering how you can measure the CFM of your air compressor. No problem, you can easily do it by following the below steps:
- Measure the volume of the compressor tank in gallons,
- Divide the amount by 7.48 to convert it into cubic feet (1 Cubic Feet=7.48 gallons),
- Empty the tank and refill again,
- At the time of refilling, only the time will show in the gauge. The unit is in PSI (Pound per Inch),
- Measure the kick in time and kick out time and measure the difference. For Example, if it shows 20 PSI at boot in and 40 PSI in Kick out time, the difference will be 20 PSI,
- Divide the result with 14.7 to find pressure in ATM,
- Finally, multiply force (P) with Volume (V) and divide it by 60. The result is the ultimate CFM of the tank,
- Though some air compressor shows the CFM with a level or sticker attached to the container, you can measure it by yourself to be surer.
How To Get More Cfm Out of Air Compressor?
As we have already discussed the CFM of an Air Compressor, I hope you understood the CFM basics. Maybe another answer you are searching for a long day, how to increase the CFM on the air compressor.
Here we have discussed two effective methods that can help you resulted in high CFM.
Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
How to Increase CFM in Air Compressor Effectively
You may see different guidelines on CFM rating increasing. Here we will discuss the two most popular and easiest ways of increasing CFM on air compressors.
Let’s move on:
Method-1: Lowering the Pressure to Increase Air Compressor CFM
An air compressor takes air into the tank, and then pressure creates into it. The pressure helps the air to go out in a certain amount, which we called CFM. Every air compressor has a certain power level in which it operates. So, to use an air compressor, you need to ensure the Power it requires.
Mathematically, the Power of an air compressor is; Power= Pressure X (Volume/Time in a minute).
Here, the (Volume/Time in minute) is CFM. If you want to increase the CFM without changing the power level, you have to decrease the pressure level. However, to do this, you have to use a dial down regulator.
The dial down regulator can slowly reduce the pressure level by increasing the air compressor’s CFM.
Here is an example to make you clear about the matter. Suppose you have an air compressor with 10 CPM, which operates at 90 PSI. That means, when you put the pressure of the tank in 90 PSI, it provides 10 CFM.
Now, if you decrease the pressure from 90 PSI, it results in more than 10 CFM. That’s how the CFM may increase.
N.B. The process can only work for a specific level. However, it is safe for the air compressor, and there is less chance to damage the compressor.
Method-2: Connecting Two Compressors for More Cfm
In this method, you can join the output valve of the air compressor together.
For Example, if you have two air compressors of a CFM 10 and 5, respectively, you can couple them to find a 15 CFM output.
Let’s Know How We Can Do This
- Take two air compressors and join the two compressor tanks with appropriate air hose fittings,
- Take another hose and joint the two tubes with the new one,
- The third hose must have three holes, i.e., two for the two hoses, and the third one will act as an output hose,
- Use the third hole as an output hose and join it with your tools,
- The process is pretty simple and easy. If you have one air compressor, but you need extensive work, you can do it. However, you need to buy a new air compressor if you do not have another.
N.B: The method is suitable if you need to perform work that needs lower CFM. If your job requires a considerable CFM amount, it is better to buy a new air compressor with high CFM.
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Last update on 2023-03-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Final Verdict
Choosing a compressor with a perfect CFM level is always tricky. The CFM level also decreases with the time interval. Moreover, you also need to perform more works using more powerful tools that require a high CFM air compressor.
Therefore, it is substantial to increase the CFM of the Air Compressor. Hopefully, all the information mentioned above with help you know how to increase CFM on Air Compressor.
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