{"product_id":"castair-i15312vc3-s","title":"Castair I15312VC3-S","description":"\u003ch2\u003eCastair I15312VC3-S: 15HP 3-Phase Industrial Air Compressor — 120 Gallon Vertical (Base Unit)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Castair I15312VC3-S listed under SKU I15312VC3 is the 15-horsepower, 3-phase, 120-gallon vertical industrial compressor built on Castair's heavy-duty C3 cast iron pump. This is the base configuration — no aftercooler included — giving you the full performance of the C3 pump platform at a lower entry price. If your shop has adequate air drying equipment downstream, or your application does not require aftercooler treatment, this is the configuration to buy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe C3 pump runs at 795 RPM — well below the 1,100+ RPM you see on cheaper industrial units. Slower RPM means lower operating temperature, less wear per hour of runtime, and longer intervals between valve and ring service. For a shop that runs their compressor 8 or more hours a day, that difference compounds into years of additional pump life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAt 61.7 CFM free air delivery and 50.2 CFM at 175 PSI, this unit can supply 3-5 technicians running standard shop air tools simultaneously. The 120-gallon vertical tank provides adequate storage to buffer peak demand without the compressor cycling constantly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePump Design and Construction\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eC3 Cast Iron Pump — Core Specs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePump designation:\u003c\/strong\u003e C3 — Two-stage, W3 cylinder configuration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOperating RPM:\u003c\/strong\u003e 795 — slow-speed operation for extended pump life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConstruction:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% cast iron — cylinders, heads, valve plates, crankcase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBearings:\u003c\/strong\u003e Tapered roller bearings at both ends of the crankshaft for superior support and minimal friction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eConnecting rods:\u003c\/strong\u003e Precision steel with automotive-type rod insert bearings at crankshaft and wrist pin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eValves:\u003c\/strong\u003e Disc and spring design — easy to service, replaceable without specialized tooling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePistons:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-ring configuration for high efficiency and low oil carry-over\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUnloader:\u003c\/strong\u003e Centrifugal unloader for loadless start-up — pump starts without load every time, protecting motor and belts\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOil capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 gallon\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTank and Frame\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 gallons, vertical orientation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank finish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Powder-coated ASME-rated steel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeg configuration:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4 legs (vertical models)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSafety valve:\u003c\/strong\u003e ASME-rated, factory installed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBelt guard:\u003c\/strong\u003e Totally enclosed metal construction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDischarge lines:\u003c\/strong\u003e Copper tubing or stainless braided flex line\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMotor\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHorsepower:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15HP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhase:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-phase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBase motor speed:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1725 RPM industrial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eService factor:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15% or higher\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax operating pressure:\u003c\/strong\u003e 175 PSI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePerformance Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMotor output:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15 HP\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eElectrical requirement:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3-phase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank capacity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 120 gallons, vertical\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePump RPM:\u003c\/strong\u003e 795\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree air delivery (0 PSI):\u003c\/strong\u003e 61.7 CFM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDelivery at 175 PSI:\u003c\/strong\u003e 50.2 CFM\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax pressure:\u003c\/strong\u003e 175 PSI\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (LxWxH):\u003c\/strong\u003e 44 x 30 x 82 inches\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,185 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAftercooler:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not included (available as BGAC2M option)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat's in the Box\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCastair I15312VC3-S compressor — fully assembled (base unit)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eASME safety valve (factory installed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePressure switch with unloader\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTotally enclosed metal belt guard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCopper discharge and unloader tubing (or stainless braided flex line)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOwner's documentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eNote: Aftercooler and magnetic motor starter are not included in the base configuration. Both are available as factory-mounted options. Electrical installation requires a licensed electrician familiar with 3-phase motor wiring.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAvailable Configurations — 15HP Industrial Series\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eI15312VC2-S:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15HP, 3-phase, 120gal Vertical, C2 pump, 898 RPM, 45.3 CFM @ 175 PSI, 980 lbs — lighter unit with slightly lower CFM output\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eI15312HC2-S:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15HP, 3-phase, 120gal Horizontal, C2 pump, 898 RPM, 45.3 CFM @ 175 PSI, 980 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eI15312VC3-S (this unit):\u003c\/strong\u003e 15HP, 3-phase, 120gal Vertical, C3 pump, 795 RPM, 50.2 CFM @ 175 PSI, 1,185 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eI15312HC3-S:\u003c\/strong\u003e 15HP, 3-phase, 120gal Horizontal, C3 pump, 795 RPM, 50.2 CFM @ 175 PSI, 1,185 lbs\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe C3 pump delivers 50.2 CFM at 175 PSI versus 45.3 CFM from the C2 — about 11% more usable air from the same 15HP motor. The C3 accomplishes this by using a larger W3 cylinder configuration and running at slower RPM. If your shop is regularly running at or near the C2's capacity limit, the C3 is worth the additional weight and cost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhen Does a Shop Need This vs. Stepping Up or Down?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eI15312VC3-S is the right choice when:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou need 3 to 5 simultaneous technician workstations running standard pneumatic tools\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e3-phase electrical service is available at your facility\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou want maximum CFM from a 15HP \/ 120-gallon vertical configuration\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYour application does not require aftercooler-treated air (or you have downstream drying equipment)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eConsider the aftercooler (-S with BGAC2M) if:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are running spray guns, sandblasting, or other moisture-sensitive processes — the BGAC2M aftercooler is a factory-mounted option that pays for itself quickly in reduced moisture-related problems\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStep down if:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are running 1-2 technicians — the 10HP series handles smaller shops at significantly lower electrical cost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eStep up to 20-30HP if:\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eYou are running a large multi-bay operation or spray booth requiring consistent 70+ CFM — the I20324HC4Z-S and I25324HC4Z-S are sized for those applications\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy Buy From Air Compressor Factory Direct?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSince 2016, we have specialized in selling industrial air compressors and shop equipment. When you call us, you talk to someone who understands Castair's pump designations, motor wiring requirements, and how to size a compressor to your actual shop workflow — not just your floor space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e to commercial addresses in the lower 48 states\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFree tech support\u003c\/strong\u003e at 866-217-0063 — before and after your purchase\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFull Castair manufacturer warranty\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHonest configuration guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e — we will tell you if you need a different model\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthorized dealer\u003c\/strong\u003e with direct Castair factory support access\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCall 866-217-0063 for quick answers and help!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cast Air","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53342560780501,"sku":"I15312VC3","price":16202.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0622\/8466\/0949\/files\/I15312VC3_20NEW.jpg?v=1772675153","url":"https:\/\/aircompressorfactorydirect.com\/products\/castair-i15312vc3-s","provider":"Air Compressor Factory Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}