Metro Air Force Blaster

[DavidB]

Has anyone had a chance to try the Air Force Blaster yet?

http://www.properautocare.com/metairforbla.html

I'm just wondering if it's better than using my air compressor for drying wheels, engine, etc. I can't believe the claimed air volume... 29,000 f.p.m. that's what a small leaf blower puts out!

db

Ive seen more power in my electric toothbrush!! Stick with the air compressor - thats what I use most days in winter detailing. Is your compressor pneumatic??

J.Ross

[DavidB]

Oh yeah... I have a big compressor. Most of my fun tools are pneumatic. It's just a pain taking out the hose.

Whats your main tool?? I have two rotary screw aircompressors made by Champion - they both have a power of 5hp-75hp - they get wild on warp speed.

J.R

[DETAILKING]

A 4 HP motor would most likely not be able to pass that volume, and definately not through that 1"-2" hose that it comes with. The velocity and pressure drop would be ridiculous, almost impossible. I am reading that number as air volume of 29,000 CFM (cubic feet per minute), BUT.....you have to be careful......if it is referring to velocity (which is more in line with my expectations......)it would mean it passes the air at 29,000 feet per minute, or 483 feet per second, which in a 1.5" hose would be an air volume of roughly 350 CFM which is more in line with what I would expect.....on the higher end of the scale....but possible.

As a comparison, most electric leaf blowers claim 200-250 mph air velocity, and 29,000 feet per minute is = to 330 MPH. Like I said on the high side for any credibility.........especially with that small hose. Remember, the smaller the hose the less air flow is required to meet that velocity. I like to look at it in terms of air volume because that is what is drying your car. You can get 330 mph air velocity out of a 1/4" tube....so what....the air volume is so small it would take hours to dry the car....see my point?

[Guess My Name]

I think they mean 29000 Feet per minute air velocity which is 329 MPH which seems kinda high even at the tip of the hose.

Most gas powered blowers have less Hp and can only deliver about 210MPH air velocity at the tip.

Electric leaf blowers that are 110 Vac can draw only about 10 amps which is 1.5 Hp.

So what voltage is it? I mean even at 120 Vac and say a 20 amp outlet can only deliver 3.2 Hp.

4 Hp equates to almost 3000 watts!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

[DETAILKING]

20 amps....YIKES!

I wouldn't want to plug that in to my outlets at home!

Anyhow, it says 4 PEAK HP, which could be the case under load....normal HP is probably around 1-2 HP like you said. I agree, that velocity is high, but its all a numbers game.....air flow is what matters most

[bretfraz]

Good thing we have you engineering/scientific/math whiz types around here. I wouldn't have been able to figure all that out on my own.

Us sales types would just offer free shipping or 50% off accessories to make the sale.

[Guess My Name]

Funny thing is BRet I am a salesman now!

[carguy]

The add is VERY suspicious. It says "feet per minute", not "Cubic Feet per minute". It says "Peak horsepower", not "horsepower".

DO THE MATH

1: At 100% efficiency, a horsepower is equivalent to 746 watts.

2: Let's assume 75% efficiency (a gift - it is almost certainly less), so now we get 3/4 HP for 746 watts.

3: To get 4 HP then, we would need 16/3*746, or 3,979 watts.

4: At 120V, this means 33AMPS, or in other words, enough to blow any circuit breaker in your house.

[Andre']

It's like the 5HP air compressors that run on 110 i don't think so. My two stage 5HP needs to run on 220 and a 40 amp circuit. 5HP on 110 how do they figure that, what a joke.

[Guess My Name]

IT could bne one of those marketing Horsepowers....You know the magical one.