Paul

really any compressor will run that for testing purposes…how much to spend is up to you

a cheap one from Lidl or aldi will do but be noisy (very)

you can charge it up somewhere and then run your model for quite some time without it powered up

a bambi or junair or similar compressor will run continuously with only a whisper

I've got a steam cleaner which claims to generate steam at 4 bar. It uses 1.5 kW. Anyone tried running an engine off one?

I have a Bostich 6L A bit pricey to just run a model engine, but I got it for air nailers and now mostly use it for air dusting. I think compressed air in the workshop is very useful. Stanley does a similar one and I expect there are plenty of other oil less compressors out there.

I did use it on my engine, the regulator goes right from 7bar down to 0, and I ran my engine at 5psi easily.

Adrian

But do watch out for what CFM is quoted. Most hobby compressor makers only quote displacement cfm but what actually comes out is FAD cfm – free air delivery. If you follow the Bostich link above you will see the FA is less than half the displacement.

For just running say upto 1" bore engines with no load at moderate speed the aim for around 3-4 cfm FAD which is going to mean a compressor sold as 8cfm. Get a tank of 20-25lts so it does not need to run all the time. A lot of the silent types can't produce this sort of volume.

As further explanation/addition of/to JB’s comment.

That bostich rating is particularly enlightening for those that need to assess the usefulness of the product. Note that while the displacement exceeds the FAD by 2 1/3 times, they actually quote the pressure for that particular FAD at 7 Bar. This ratio will not be anywhere near as bad at the much reduced pressure required to run a small item at relatively low speed/pressure (m gillygan might note the subtleties/honesty in this specification &#128578, but it does admirably demonstrate the possible difference between the truth and those alternative specifications – one chosen to mislead the unsuspecting buyer and the honest specs which indicate the true output.

Note as an explanation for those that don’t understand why – most pneumatic tools operate at 6 Bar, or less, so the Bostich spec provides an honest output for real users. That machine is a genuine 2 1/2 cu.ft. machine for the serious user. Most cheap machines, touted as that size on displacement might deliver that volume of fee air at very low pressure but not at realistic pneumatic tool normal usage pressure. Likewise, of course, cheap air-tools suppliers often under-state the FAD required for those tools, which can further exacerbate the choice of matching compressor and tool.🙂

The bottom line is that tool air-requirement and air-delivery need to be at least matched at parity if continuous use is required/expected. Intermittent use is often accepted as normal, by amateur users. Much like cheap electric welders and other items which have to be ‘rested’ if used above a certain power.🙂

Hi

I guess I am too late with this comment for Roger it may be of use to others. A repurposed refrigerator ran various small model engines successfully.

I run my 10H on a fish tank air pump, albeit a rather large one. It runs about half dozen of my smaller engines plus surprisingly a large beam engine. But I also have an Aldi compressor, which I can confirm is very noisy.

I keep meaning to!

The Earlex ones use a radiator cap as a safety valve.

Neil

I used to test run mine using a compressor stripped from a gash domestic refrigerator. The Stuart H10 ticked over nicely on it but the larger 'Real' engine was borderline until run in.