anyone using a clothes dryer plug to run their air compressor?

[64stpside]

I thought I would take a shot and post here to see if anyone else has done this.
I'm getting a 60 gal a compressor in the next few weeks and have told if I have the right gauge wire, I can just connect the compressor to my clothes dryer plug when not using the dryer. I might configure my garage differently later on and don't want the compressor married to a particular spot in there by having an electrician installing an outlet close to where the compressor will be now.

[blown240]

Clothes dryer plugs are usually 30amp 220v.

Is your compressor 110v or 220v and how many amps does it pull?

[f66]

If you buy a typical 220v compressor, the dryer plug outlet will work fine. I did this for yrs with a 60 gallon Craftsman compressor before I got a shop wired for 220 and a dedicated plug. You can PM w/the specs of the compressor and Can confirm the dryer plug will work. Frank

[aerotruk63]

My Dad has all his stuff on stove plugs. This way wherever he goes the one plug fits all. Illegal but then who's checking. Insurance company might not be happy if there's ever a fire.

[jayoldschool]

I use a welding plug in my garage.

[nail pounder]

Originally Posted by f66

If you buy a typical 220v compressor, the dryer plug outlet will work fine. I did this for yrs with a 60 gallon Craftsman compressor before I got a shop wired for 220 and a dedicated plug. You can PM w/the specs of the compressor and Can confirm the dryer plug will work. Frank

X2. Keep in mind you have unlimited power coming to your house. It's not too difficult to run conduit and wire and set up a sub panel in your shop or garage. I'm pretty sure you can YouTube that kind of thing. I'm just a dumb ol carpenter and I did it, cost me like 150$ in materials, and I left room to add stuff down the road.

[nail pounder]

Originally Posted by nail pounder

X2. Keep in mind you have unlimited power coming to your house. It's not too difficult to run conduit and wire and set up a sub panel in your shop or garage. I'm pretty sure you can YouTube that kind of thing. I'm just a dumb ol carpenter and I did it, cost me like 150$ in materials, and I left room to add stuff down the road.

I re-read what I wrote & I want to be clear, I'm not talking about stealing power, I meant after your meter, just tap into your main panel to run a sub.

[Palf70Step]

My 60 gal, 5hp 220V compressor is on 30 amp connection. You should be able to see the plug I used when we built the shop. Its been 12 years and no issues with that rating.

[jjzepplin]

I run mine on a dryer plug. I had my laundry out in the garage at one point and put it all inside for the wifey! I use the old garage spot for the compressor. I changed the breaker in the box to the correct amps for the motor on my compressor. Ran the stink out of it when I chiseled all the Chattahoochee pebbles off my pool patio.

[mongocanfly]

I'm running my welder, plasma, air compressor, and clothes dryer that's in my shop of all the same style dryer plugs...220v 30a..

[drfloyd]

As long as voltages match and you have the proper amperage for the device, plug and receptacle you can do what you are describing. One thing to be aware of is that in many jurisdictions a 4 wire setup is required for a dryer and in some only a 3 wire is required, especially if it is an old installation.That means that on the 4 wire setup you will have 2 phase legs or hot wires, a neutral and a ground. For a 220V compressor the neutral is not needed, only the hot wires and the ground. If you are doing this yourself just be careful and make sure you have it wired properly before you close the breaker. If you aren't sure ask us.

[64stpside]

Thanks for the info guys, I'll get some specs and we'll go from there.

[64stpside]

Originally Posted by drfloyd

As long as voltages match and you have the proper amperage for the device, plug and receptacle you can do what you are describing. One thing to be aware of is that in many jurisdictions a 4 wire setup is required for a dryer and in some only a 3 wire is required, especially if it is an old installation.That means that on the 4 wire setup you will have 2 phase legs or hot wires, a neutral and a ground. For a 220V compressor the neutral is not needed, only the hot wires and the ground. If you are doing this yourself just be careful and make sure you have it wired properly before you close the breaker. If you aren't sure ask us.

The house was built in 1976 so i'll have to do some checking......

[T2vigil]

Just to be clear the breaker is supposed to protect the wire/cable that it is connected to. As long as the device that is plugged into the receptacle is rated at the breaker value or less it is OK. You can connect your twenty amp compressor to a fifty amp plug, correctly wired, with the right fifty amp plug and you are legal and safe.

[64stpside]

Here are my dryer circuit specs:
-breaker 30 amps
-plug 30 amp 125/250V

I think I should meet most compressor's specs as I only want a 60 gallon.
I've seen several compressors rated at 15A, 220V.

[1958Warrior]

I have my washer and 220v elect.dryer in the garage, Have my 60 gal. compressor right next to the dryer, I use a dryer cord for my compressor, just unplug the dryer and plug in the compressor. I also use one on my 220v mig welder, made a extension cord out of romex , added a dryer outlet receptical on one end (surface mount box type) and used a dryer cord at the other end, that way I can use the welder all the way out near the end of the driveway if needed.
Got the dryer cords free off old dryers, most people throw them out with their old dryers.
Never realy have a problem ,just every now and then have to unplug the welder and plug the compressor in to fill back up when doing a lot of grinding with the die grinder, just go get another beer and 3 min later go back to welding.

[johanliam]

I am not sure how it is done but my dad used to do this, not sure why stopped.
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