145PSI ..200PSI what is Better?

For my numbers I am going to use this setup,

(1) 5 gal tank
(1) Viair 480 Compressor
(2) 2600 size bags in the front
(2) 2600 size bags in the rear

—-

First fill time,

[COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]110~145PSI switch[/COLOR]

0~145PSI = 3 min 58 sec
110~145PSI = 1 min 35 sec

[COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]145~175PSI switch[/COLOR]

0~175 = 5 min 36 sec
145~175 = 1 min 41 sec

[COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]165~200PSI switch[/COLOR]

0~200 = 7 min 11 sec
165-200PSI 2 min 12 sec

The higher the pressure the more work the compressor has to do, for example,

To fill only 10PSI

135~145PSI = 32 sec
165~175PSI = 38 sec
190~200PSI = 43 sec

See how the same 10PSI takes longer at a higher pressure?

BUT the higher the pressure the more ‘air’ that is in the tank.

For example.

Same tank as above.

Tank start pressure = [COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]145PSI[/COLOR]
Fill 4 bags to 100PSI tank will drop to 105PSI
—Drop in pressure =40

Tank start pressure = [COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]175PSI[/COLOR]
Fill 4 bags to 100PSI tank will drop to 135PSI
—Drop in pressure = 40

Tank start pressure = [COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]200PSI[/COLOR]
Fill 4 bags to 100PSI tank will drop to 160PSI
—Drop in pressure = 40

The bag will still use the same amount of air from the tank but a tank at an higher pressure will hold more so after the same lift the 200tank can still lift your truck a few more times.

Also the higher pressure will ‘push’ the air through the system faster. Think of it as a hole in a tank the higher the water level the faster the water is forced out of the hole.

This is why you hear people say 200PSI is FAST!… It is

Things to think about,

High pressure
[COLOR=”SeaGreen”]PROS:[/COLOR]
Fast fill speed
More fills
Small tank size

[COLOR=”Red”]CONS:[/COLOR]
Compressor runs longer
High pressure components are needed
You will have more water in your trap and the air will be hotter.

Low pressure
[COLOR=”SeaGreen”]PROS:[/COLOR]
Fast compressor refill
No special components needed
Longer life of components
Cooler air with less moisture

[COLOR=”Red”]CONS:[/COLOR]
Slow system speed
Limited play time
Larger tank size.

One last thing to mention,

Tank size remember how I said high pressure has more ‘air’ ?

Let me explain,

A 5 gal tank at [COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]200PSI[/COLOR]
Filling (4) bags twice to 100PSI
Final tank pressure is = 120

A 12 gal tank at [COLOR=”RoyalBlue”]145PSI[/COLOR]
Filling (4) bags twice to 100PSI
Final tank pressure is = 112PSI

They are equal but the key is now you can have the same play time as a 12 gal at 145PSI with a 5 gal at 200PSI