Alkin w31 Mariner 3hp 220v Plug Cap/Amp Recommendation

[MDRICH2]

I know nothing about electrical…
I have an Alkin W31 Mariner 3hp 220v 16.6 amp compressor. I am finishing my basement as I am writing this and would like to know if I should use a 30 amp with a L6-30P/L630R 250v or a 20 amp with a Nema 6-20R 250v plug. Not sure what I just wrote, but I basically want to know if a 20 or 30 amp is better for the motor. I understand that I take 125% of the amps to decide, but based on 16.6 amps it puts me a little over 20 amps, so should I therefore use 30 amps? What do you use? Obviously, I will hire an electrician to install, but I want to have a little knowledge to make my decision before-hand. One last thing…which AWG (wire) should I use with each? 10 gauge for 30 amp and 12 gauge for 20 amp? I apologize of my ignorance!!! Appreciate any help!

 

[F6Hawk]

30 amps, hands down. No need for false trips.

 

[MDRICH2]

30 amps, hands down. No need for false trips.

That is what I was thinking. Thanks for the verification!

 

[airgunmike56]

Good luck on the Alkin, I have had one for about a year, You will never have to look for air , As I see it the upkeep on the Alkin is super easy,
I hope you get to shoot a lots of easy air .
Mike

 

[Humdinger]

The OP is asking about a plug not a circuit amp rating. I agree with everyone that you should run your compressor on a 30 amp 230 volt circuit. However, the Nema 20 plug can be matched to a compatible outlet connected to that circuit. You don't need a 30 amp plug. Here's mine. It is a Nema 5-20 and has worked flawlessly on a 30 amp circuit for 5 years.

 

[MDRICH2]

The OP is asking about a plug not a circuit amp rating. I agree with everyone that you should run your compressor on a 30 amp 230 volt circuit. However, the Nema 20 plug can be matched to a compatible outlet connected to that circuit. You don't need a 30 amp plug. Here's mine. It is a Nema 5-20 and has worked flawlessly on a 30 amp circuit for 5 years.

View attachment 561308

Thanks for the info…good to know you can also use a 20 plug and is proven to work on your system for 5 years. I went ahead and purchased a 30 amp locking receptacle and Plug. Should be good to go!

 

[Humdinger]

What you bought will work fine. The critical factor is the circuit rating and breaker, rather than the plug and recepticle. Alkin's are great compressors. You'll love it.

 

[MDRICH2]

What you bought will work fine. The critical factor is the circuit rating and breaker, rather than the plug and recepticle. Alkin's are great compressors. You'll love it.

Appreciate the confirmation. I have an electrician coming over to put in the correct breaker. I am sure I will love it when I get it running. I also saw an Alkin video that they are shipped with the 10 minute run time already completed and I can start filling my tanks right away without the initail 10 minute break-in run time. Not sure if everyone is aware of this.

 

[SLICKNICK]

You can usually tell the size of plug by the size of wire on cord. #10 is good for 30A, #12 is good for 20A. You can also read the name plate on the pump. If it’s a 240v pump, and you know the wattage (example 2500 watts). You would divide the wattage by the voltage, and that will give you the amount of current running through the conductor (wire). On a 2500 watt pump, running at 240v would run about 10.5 amps during operation. (BTW (I'm a licensed Electrical contractor in FL).

 

[MDRICH2]

You can usually tell the size of plug by the size of wire on cord. #10 is good for 30A, #12 is good for 20A. You can also read the name plate on the pump. If it’s a 240v pump, and you know the wattage (example 2500 watts). You would divide the wattage by the voltage, and that will give you the amount of current running through the conductor (wire). On a 2500 watt pump, running at 240v would run about 10.5 amps during operation. (BTW (I'm a licensed Electrical contractor in FL).

Ahhh haaa. I get it now. Thanks for the math lesson. Seems so simple when explained.

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

 

[MDRICH2]

View attachment 561328

Thank you for the chart Much appreciated!

 

[charlie99]

I run my Alkin from the dryer outlet which is on a 30 amp breaker. In order to not have to pull out the dryer and plug/unplug every time, I purchased a splitter. This allows me to plug in the alkin whenever I want. Just cannot have both the dryer and alkin running at same time. This is what Im talking about.

Amazon.com

 

[MDRICH2]

I run my Alkin from the dryer outlet which is on a 30 amp breaker. In order to not have to pull out the dryer and plug/unplug every time, I purchased a splitter. This allows me to plug in the alkin whenever I want. Just cannot have both the dryer and alkin running at same time. This is what Im talking about.

Amazon.com

I wasn’t positive that the dryer plug would work so Im having a dedicated 30 amp set up for my compressor. I just wanted a stand-alone connection to my compressor and didn’t want any other household electrical items feeding off this connection. Just a warm fuzzy for me this way. First I have seen a set-up like yours. Very interesting!

 

[Ta-Ta Toothie]

You could definitely utilize a dryer circuit for that compressor. Your compressor just wouldn't use the neutral. As mentioned, only one at a time. If your spending that kind of money for a compressor, getting a dedicated circuit for it is the best option.