The BelAire 438V Iron Series combines a 5 HP three-phase motor with an 80-gallon vertical ASME tank and a solid cast iron two-stage pump. Its standout feature is dual-voltage capability: the motor can be configured for 208V or 230V three-phase service, making it easier to match the compressor to the electrical supply already available in a shop. The pump delivers 18 CFM at 100 PSI and 16 CFM at 175 PSI, with 175 PSI maximum pressure. Note: breaker sizing and amp draw should be confirmed by a qualified electrician based on the selected voltage and installation.
The two-stage pump uses automotive-style connecting rod bearings and wrist pins, along with an oil sight glass for routine level checks and a fully enclosed belt guard. Compressing air in two stages allows the pump to reach higher pressure while managing compression heat more effectively than a single-stage design. That makes the 438V better suited to sustained shop use where consistent air delivery matters. BelAire also recommends its CPXHT50 air dryer for this model; the dryer is not included, but it is worth considering for applications such as painting or other work where moisture in the air line can affect results.
At approximately 37" × 24" × 72" and 580 lbs, the vertical configuration keeps the floor footprint relatively compact while providing substantial receiver capacity. The 438V is a strong fit for automotive repair shops, light industrial facilities, and businesses with either 208V or 230V three-phase service. It is also practical for shops that may relocate and need equipment that can adapt to a different three-phase supply later. Install it on a level, solid surface with adequate clearance around the belt guard, controls, drain, and upper plumbing for maintenance and safe operation.
Specifications
Motor and electrical supply
| Rated power |
5 HP |
| Supply |
208 Volt or 230 Volt AC, 3-phase — wires into either |
| Magnetic starter |
Included |
| Breaker / amp draw |
Not published — confirm with a certified electrician |
Pump and output
| Pump type |
Two-stage, solid cast iron, belt drive, splash lubricated |
| Bearings |
Automotive-style rod bearings and wrist pins |
| Delivered air |
18 CFM at 100 PSI; 16 CFM at 175 PSI |
| Maximum pressure |
175 PSI |
| Aftercooler |
Fitted |
| Air filter |
Fitted |
Tank, size and weight
| Tank |
80 gallon, vertical, ASME certified, safety valve |
| Outlet |
3/4" |
| Drain |
Manual |
| Overall |
37" long × 24" wide × 72" high |
| Weight |
580 lbs |
Certification, Stated Plainly
The receiver is an ASME-certified pressure vessel with a safety valve — the certification the 438V’s data actually claims, and the one that matters for a tank rated to 175 PSI.
No third-party safety listing is claimed for the packaged machine anywhere in the data we hold, and we are not going to suggest otherwise. The distinction matters: a manufacturer's own declaration of conformity is a different document from an independent listing issued by an accredited testing body, and certain insurers, corporate facility standards and municipal electrical inspectors require the latter before hard-wired equipment is approved.
If that describes your site, tell us before you order. We will put the question to BelAire in writing rather than let you make an assumption that could become a problem at installation.
How It Ships
This item ships free within the lower 48 states, so there is no standard freight charge to add at checkout.
Unloading is the customer's responsibility. Plan for the equipment needed to receive the pallet at your location — typically a forklift, loading dock or suitable pallet jack with a level approach. If your site cannot receive the shipment safely, terminal pickup may be an alternative. Delivery to a residential address is considered residential delivery and carries an additional fee, so let us know before ordering rather than at the door.
Inspect the pallet and equipment before you sign. Check the tank, pump, belt guard and surrounding packaging for impact or shipping damage, and record anything you find on the bill of lading before the driver leaves. A clean signature is difficult to argue with later; clear damage notes and photographs made at delivery make a freight claim much easier to establish.
Warranty
The 438V carries BelAire's 2-Year bumper-to-bumper factory warranty for both consumer and commercial use, with no additional purchase required.
One house rule protects that coverage: if the pump develops a fault, do not take it apart before the warranty claim is opened. Once a component has been disassembled, it becomes much harder to establish what failed and why. Contact us, describe the symptom and let the failure be assessed while the unit remains intact.
