Voltair
System Specifications
Troubleshooting
FAQ
“Air Where and When You Need It!” – hour after hour
System Specifications
Motor
High torque, 1800 rpm, permanent magnet motor with brushes and thermal protection. This is not a starter motor. See Point #5 on next page.
Pump
Heavy duty twin cylinder, cast iron pump, oil lubed
Drive System
Positive timing gear belt pulley system. This type of pulley system eliminates belt slippage and extends the life of our belt.
Full 1 Year Warranty
Power Source
12-Volt Battery (1 good battery of 120+ minutes of reserve or 2 batteries)
Amp Draw
80 amps*
Duty Cycle
80%- 50 minutes of runtime out of an hour @ Temps under 32 Degrees C (90 degrees F)
Max psi
150 psi
CFM** @ 50 psi
12 cfm
CFM** @ 100 psi
6 cfm
Thermal Protector
Our thermal protector will shut down the 12-Voltair when the motor exterior case reaches 200F. This is a auto-reset thermal protector that will reset itself within 20 minutes.
Oil Capacity
700 mls (2 cups)
Oil Recommendations
***Always use a non detergent compressor oil.
Dimensions
19H” x 18¼W x 8¼D”
Weight
110 lbs
Battery Facts
1. The OEM (Original Equipment Battery) that came with the purchase of your vehicle is only designed to keep up with the demand of the vehicle. For optimum performance, Voltair recommends replacing your battery with a battery that is rated with 120 or more minutes of reserve.
2. The alternator that comes standard in most vehicles will charge between 40-50 amps at a vehicle idle. Since the Voltair draws 80 amps when in use, Voltair recommends a good battery and in some cases a second battery may be necessary.
3. Voltair recommends a battery with 120 or more minutes of reserve. The 12-Voltair air compressor does not need cranking amps for optimum performance, but it does need battery reserve.
4. Over time a battery’s ability to hold a full charge greatly diminishes. A lead battery may need to be replaced every 2 years and an Optima battery may need to be replaced every 4 years.
5. If you are using or planning to use the 12-Voltair for more than 3-4 hours on a day-to-day basis adding a second battery will help in achieving optimum performance.
* 80 amps is a lot. A 100 amp alternator will charge around 40 amps when the vehicle is idling. Combined with at least one good battery (120 or more reserve) and/or a second battery you will limit your problems. Since the 12-Voltair is rated at a 80% duty cycle (up to 50 minutes of use each hour) there is time for the alternator to replenish the battery when the compressor is not running.
** CFM is a number that can often be misleading. The 12-Voltair is capable of filling a 10 gallon air tank from 0-150 psi in just 3 minutes.
Troubleshooting
My 12-Voltair does not run
1. Check if the switch on the pressure switch is in the auto (down) position
2. Check the air pressure. If you have more than 120 PSI in the compressor, the compressor will not kick in and run until the pressure has dropped below 120 PSI
Before proceeding with this troubleshooting guide, be sure to disconnect the wire on the right side of the solenoid to avoid the 12-Voltair from switch on without notice.
This is the wire that goes to the inside of the motor.
3. Do you have a toggle switch? If not skip to 4.
Check if the toggle switch is in the on position
Check your wiring against the wire diagram on previous page
Check with a volt meter that you have voltage on at least one side of the switch (10-14 VDC) when the switch is in the off position
Check to see if you have voltage on both sides of the switch when the switch is in the on position
4. Do you have a circuit breaker? If not skip to 5.
Check to see if there is a reset on the circuit breaker
Check to see if you have voltage on both sides of the circuit breaker (10-14 VDC)
5. Check to see if the solenoid is working
Make sure the circuit breaker is engaged, the remote switch is on
Make sure the switch is in the off position
Put you hand on the top side of the solenoid with one hand and turn the switch on the pressure switch on with the other hand. You should feel a click. If not you possibly have a bad solenoid. Double check with the next step (Be sure the wire on the right side of the solenoid is disconnected)
With a volt meter check the solenoid using the two different scenarios
Scenario Left Post Top Post Right Post
1 Circuit breaker on
Remote Switch on
Pressure switch off
10-14 VDC 0 VDC 0 VDC
2 Circuit breaker on
Remote Switch on
Pressure switch on
0-14 VDC 10-14 VDC 10-14 VDC
If you don’t get voltage on the top post in scenario #2 you have a bad pressure switch
If you don’t get voltage of the right post in scenario #2 you have a bad solenoid
6. Was the compressor running and just quit?
If the motor overheated (surface temp over 190F) then the thermal protector will have shut the system down until the temperature drops below 170F. This may take up to 30 minutes.
WARNING: This is an automatic reset thermal protector- If all switches are on, and the thermal protector resets it will run without any warning. Never put hand in the box without first disconnecting the power.
My 12-Voltair shakes a lot
1. Check to make sure there is adequate belt tension. You should have anywhere from 1/4” – 3/8” movement when applying pressure to the belt directly between the motor and pump pulleys
2. Check to make sure that the motor and compressor are securely fastened to the frame. Make sure that bolts have not come loose.
My 12-Voltair runs but is not able to pump up any pressure
1. Check to see if you have any external air leaks
Disconnect any air storage tanks and plug tank supply line and run compressor to see if pressure builds up . If this fixes the problem you have a leak that needs to be fixed
My 12-voltair just starts – stops – starts – stops
1.You probably don’t have an external air storage supply tank. The compressor is shutting down with 150 PSI in the air lines and a small leak is draining the pressure down to 125 PSI and the compressor is kicking back on to build the pressure back up to 150 PSI.
My compressor runs fast at beginning but sounds like it slows down after it has run for 5, 10, 15 minutes
Problem : Battery
Step 1 Recharge battery to make sure you have a good full charge – if the problem still exists- STEP 2
STEP 2 Replace battery with a new battery. – if the problem still exists – STEP 3
STEP 3 Check your alternator.
When running the 12-Voltair for extended periods of time, my vehicle just shuts off
Problem : Battery
Check the steps above to diagnose a problem
How do I adjust my pressure switch
Main Spring
Adjustment Screw A (metal screw)
Turn Clockwise to increase both cut-in and cut-out pressure.
Differential Pressure
Adjustment Screw B (black plastic screw)
Turn Clockwise to increase cut-in pressure without affecting cut-out pressure
FAQ
Can the Voltair run air tools?
How does the Voltair compare with gasoline powered air compressors?
Does the Voltair have air tanks?
Is the Voltair automatic??
Is the motor similar to a starter motor?
Does the Voltair have a duty-cycle?
Will my alternator on my vehicle keep up with the 80 amp use of the 12-Voltair?
What kind of oil should be used in the Voltair?
Can I run the 12-Voltair when my vehicle is on a hill?
Can the Voltair be mounted in a toolbox?
Can the Voltair run air tools?
The Voltair is capable of running a variety of air tools such as impact wrenches. A ½” impact wrench is a good match for this compressor. Three quarter and one inch impacts can be used on a limited basis. Amount of use is determined by the size of the air tank.
How does the Voltair compare with gasoline powered air compressors?
We like to compare the Voltair to a 5.5hp gasoline air compressor with the added benefit of 25-30 additional psi. Most gasoline compressors pump up to 125psi whereas the Voltair is set to shutoff at 150psi. Other benefits include the smaller size and its dependability to run in spite of rain or cold weather.
Does the Voltair have air tanks?
The Voltair is not shipped with air tanks, for the simple reason of not having the right size tank for your situation. We have designed a compact unit to be mounted in the bed of a pickup, and the air tank can be mounted out of the way, such as under the vehicle or under a toolbox, with only an air hose connecting the two.
Is the Voltair automatic?
Yes. The Voltair is run by a pressure switch. As long as the Voltair is hooked to a battery and the switch is on, the compressor is active. If the pressure drops below 125 psi the compressor will kick on and pump the air storage tank to 150 psi and then shutoff.
Is the motor similar to a starter motor?
No. A starter motor is an open wound motor, meaning that if you were to energize a starter without a load, it would spin at several thousand rpm, whereas the motor used in the Voltair is a permanent magnet motor with brushes. Thus, if you were to energize this motor without a load it will run at a consistent 1800 rpm. A starter motor is designed to run for short amounts of time, where as the motor in the Voltair can be run for longer periods of time. See duty cycle below for how long the Voltair can run. Typically a starter motor or series wound motor will use up to 15” more energy to create the same amount of horse power as a permanent magnet motor.
Does the Voltair have a duty-cycle?
Yes. The Voltair has a 80% duty cycle. This means that on an average day, the Voltair is capable of running 50 minutes per hour.
Will my alternator on my vehicle keep up with the 80 amp use of the 12-Voltair?
80 amps is a lot. A 100 amp alternator will charge around 40 amps when the vehicle is idling. Combined with at least one good battery (120 or more reserve) and/or a second battery you will limit your problems. Since the 12-Voltair is rated at a 80% duty cycle (up to 50 minutes of use each hour) there is time for the alternator to replenish the battery when the compressor is not running.
What kind of oil should be used in the Voltair?
Voltair, Inc. Recommends using an ISO-40, non-detergent, synthetic compressor oil. Compressor oil is different than regular motor oil, in that it does not contain any detergents. The synthetic oil will allow you to use the same oil year round.
Can I run the 12-Voltair when my vehicle is on a hill?
Yes and no. The only time that this could be a problem is when the outlet end of the compressor is in a 40 degree angle or more. At this point oil can be pumped out the air vent on the oil dipstick. Oil is not pumped out the dipstick if the 12-Voltair is tipped to the front, back or to the left.
Can the Voltair be mounted in a toolbox?
Yes and no. Heat is a result of compressing air, so ventilation is always something that you need to be aware of. If you are going to put the Voltair in a box, such as a toolbox, you need to open the lid if you are going to run the compressor.
