Compressor 110 vs 220

[drillman88]

High guys I'm new to the forum and I'm going to ask a question that has probably been asked before.My trusty air compressor died saturday while my son and I were building a bird house for a school project.It made it through the job ,barely, then croaked.So know I'm in the market for a new one.
I have my eye on one that is availible in 110 or 230 for the same price.I had owned my last one for 10 years it was 110 and I've never used a 230 volt model.
Are there advantages to the 230 volt motor and are they worth installing
a new circuit in my garage?I use it for nail guns, spraying finishes and some general auto repair.
thanks for your help

[lrr]

There is nothing really magical about the decision. A tool consumes a certain amount of watts, and so a 230V tools draw 1/2 the current of the tool at 115V (Power in Watts = voltage X current). What it sometimes boils down to is that a tool may be a high current draw at 115V, and not leave you much margin for a 15A or 20A circuit, especially if you are running several tools simultaneously. With a compressor, it may turn on when its pressure drops, and if you have another tool running, such as your table saw, you might pop your breaker.

Buying a 230V compressor could be a wise choice if you have an neighbor that wants to borrow tools. If you get one that runs on 230V, he is probably less likely to plead with you to wheel it over for a loan.

Finally, regarding 115V circuits -- I have outlets in two colors, to easily tell one 20A circuit from another. I plug my saw into one color, and the shop vac into another, and then no worries about overloading a circuit.

[drillman88]

I generally dont run my compressor when using other power tools,so that wouldnt affect me very much but the lower current draw does sound like it would be more efficient.The old 110 I had seamed to really draw the juice on startup.Has to be easier on the machine as well as the power meter.
thanks for your reply

[LCHIEN]

there's virtually no energy savings to speak of when switching between 110V and 220V version of the same machine.

the advantages come when using machines of over 2 HP, you can power it with 220V but generally not with ordinary 110V circuits.

If you already have 220V circuits available in your shop, then it may save you adding another circuit. OTOH, if you ever plan to take it somewhere 220V may not be available.

IT might operate marginally better (Less startup droop) on 220V but with proper wiring it should not be very obvious.

[LinuxRandal]

Look at the motor on the compressor. A lot of them are Dual Voltage models; 110 or 220.

I can think of one benefit to 220 though. You put it in, and it allows for quicker upward expansion later (a bigger compressor).

For portability and small use (brad/finish nailers), go with 110.