[AT] OT, Bogus horsepower ratings

[Greg Hass]

The same happened here. My cousin wanted to buy the biggest compressor 
he could that would run on 110 volts so he could us it in his dairy barn 
to run an air impact wrench (before electric impacts); I advised him not 
to do that as big motors and long extension cords don't get along. I 
advised him to go with a small compressor for the barn, but of course he 
didn't listen. He bought a 3 hp. unit from Quality Farm and Fleet. The 
first thing we found out was the compressor would not start below 50 
degrees unless you warmed it up. Second, I had an old sears unit with a 
true 2 hp. motor which used 12 amps. on 220. His 3 hp. unit used 8 amps. 
on 220 which meant my 2 horse was 50% bigger than his "3" horse; which 
meant his 3 horse was only 1 1/2 horse. To make a long story short we 
ended up buying a real 3 horse motor and putting that on the compressor 
curing the problem.
     Greg Hass