Portable Direct-Drive Air Compressor · Auto Start-Stop
A compact, auto start-stop workshop compressor built for spray painting, tyre inflation, air blowing and nail guns. Supplied brand new from both Shabbiri Hardware branches on Magadi Road, Nairobi.
A 25-litre, 1500W (2 HP) portable air compressor delivering 8 bar of working pressure — the pressure every spray gun, nail gun, blow gun and tyre valve is built around.
Auto pressure sensing with start-stop. The motor cuts out at full pressure and restarts only when you draw air — less power used, less wear, no gauge-watching.
25 litres gives real trigger time between restarts, unlike 6 L and 9 L units — yet it is still light enough for one person to load into a pick-up.
Fully assembled with carry handle, twin gauges, adjustable regulator, quick-coupler outlet, safety valve and tank drain. CE and ISO 9001 marked.
Built for garages, panel beaters, carpentry shops, car wash bays, tyre outlets, site finishing crews and serious home workshops.
The pressure switch reads tank pressure continuously and starts or stops the motor on its own — no manual switching, no over-pressurising.
A responsive regulator and twin gauges let you dial in exactly the pressure a spray gun, nailer or tyre needs and hold it steady.
A bigger receiver than 6 L and 9 L units means longer continuous trigger time and far fewer motor restarts on the same job.
Direct-drive layout with accessible filter, drain valve and pressure switch. No belts to align or tension, fewer parts to fail.
Runs on standard 220–240V single-phase Kenyan mains — no three-phase supply, no special wiring, no starter panel.
Compact footprint with a moulded carry handle so it moves between the workshop, the site and the boot of the car easily.
Freevel DA 1500-25 — single-stage, direct-drive portable air compressor.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Freevel |
| Model | DA 1500-25 |
| Product type | Portable single-stage reciprocating (piston) air compressor, direct drive |
| Rated motor power | 1500 W (approximately 2.0 HP) |
| Power supply | 220–240 V, 50 Hz, single phase |
| Motor speed | 2850 rpm |
| Receiver (tank) capacity | 25 litres |
| Maximum working pressure | 8 bar (116 psi / 0.8 MPa) |
| Typical cut-in pressure | Approx. 6 bar (pressure switch resets and restarts motor) |
| Air displacement* | Approx. 165–185 L/min intake (≈ 6 CFM), giving roughly 110–130 L/min free air delivery at working pressure |
| Number of cylinders | Single cylinder, air-cooled head with finned cooling |
| Air outlet* | 1/4" BSP outlet with quick-release coupler |
| Controls fitted | Auto start-stop pressure switch, adjustable pressure regulator, tank pressure gauge, outlet pressure gauge |
| Safety fittings | Pressure relief (safety) valve, non-return valve, thermal overload protection on motor |
| Tank fittings | Condensate drain valve at tank base, rubber anti-vibration feet |
| Noise level* | Approx. 70–85 dB(A) at 1 m, depending on mounting surface |
| Net weight* | Approx. 22–26 kg |
| Duty cycle* | Intermittent duty — approx. 50% (rest the unit for a similar period after sustained running) |
| Certification | CE marked, manufactured to ISO 9001 quality system |
| Packing | Individual colour box, fully assembled |
| Country of supply | Imported; stocked and sold in Kenya by Shabbiri Hardware Kenya Limited |
| Availability | In stock — Magadi Road, Ongata Rongai and Tuala branches |
* Figures marked with an asterisk are typical values for this class and may vary slightly by production batch. Always confirm against the rating plate on the unit you receive. Pressure, power, tank size, speed and voltage are as printed on the manufacturer's carton.
Follow this sequence every time. It takes two minutes and it is the difference between a compressor that lasts five years and one that fails in five months.
Remove all packaging and transit plugs. Check the tank, gauges, hoses and fittings for transit damage. Confirm the plug and cable are intact.
Look for a sight glass or dipstick on the pump. If one is fitted, the unit is oil-lubricated: top up with SAE 30 / ISO VG100 non-detergent compressor oil to the middle of the sight glass before starting. If there is no oil filler or window, it is an oil-free pump — add nothing.
Stand the compressor on a firm, level, dry surface with at least 300 mm of clear space around the motor and cooling fins. Keep it out of dust, rain and direct sun, and never enclose it in a cupboard while running.
Make sure the tank drain valve at the base is fully closed. Confirm the safety relief valve ring pulls freely and springs back.
Plug directly into a 13 A earthed socket. Avoid long thin extension reels — if you must use one, use a fully unwound heavy-duty cable of at least 1.5 mm² and no longer than 15 m.
Open the tank drain valve, let the water and any oil mist blow out, then close it before starting. This is the single most important habit for tank life.
Set the switch to AUTO/ON with no tool connected. The motor runs and the tank gauge climbs to cut-out (about 8 bar), then the motor stops on its own. That is normal and correct.
Fit the air hose to the quick-coupler until it clicks. Connect the tool at the far end. Make sure the tool's own inline filter or lubricator, if fitted, is in place.
Pull the regulator knob up, turn clockwise to raise or anticlockwise to lower, then push the knob down to lock. Read the outlet gauge, not the tank gauge. Guide values: spray gun 2–4 bar, brad nailer 5–7 bar, blow gun 3–6 bar, car tyre 2.2–2.5 bar, truck tyre 6–8 bar. Always set to the tool manufacturer's figure.
Use the tool. When tank pressure falls to cut-in, the motor restarts automatically. If the motor is running almost continuously, your tool is consuming more air than the compressor produces — pause and let the tank rebuild.
Switch OFF at the compressor, then unplug. Release the pressure from the hose with a blow gun or by pulling the safety valve ring, disconnect the tool, and drain the tank before storage. Never leave the tank stored under full pressure overnight.
| Symptom | Likely cause & action |
|---|---|
| Motor will not start | No mains power, tripped thermal overload (let it cool 15–30 min), tank already at cut-out pressure, or an undersized extension cable causing voltage drop. |
| Motor runs but pressure does not build | Tank drain valve left open, leaking hose or coupler, faulty non-return valve, or worn piston ring. Check the easy items first with soapy water on the joints. |
| Motor cycles on and off constantly | Air leak downstream, or the tool is consuming more air than the compressor delivers. Spray with soapy water to find leaks. |
| Pressure drops when the tool is idle | Leak at the coupler, hose or regulator. Isolate by closing the outlet and watching the tank gauge. |
| Water in the air line / paint blistering | Condensate in the tank. Drain it, and fit an inline water trap or filter-regulator before any spray gun. |
| Excessive vibration or walking | Uneven floor, missing or perished anti-vibration feet, or loose mounting bolts. |
| Overheating or burning smell | Blocked intake filter, poor ventilation, over-long duty cycle, or low oil on an oil-lubricated pump. Stop immediately and investigate. |
Shabbiri Hardware is a supply-only hardware and building materials retailer — we do not carry out installation, fabrication or servicing. We are happy to share contacts of independent technicians and installers on request.
Yes. The 25-litre tank at 8 bar comfortably runs HVLP and conventional touch-up spray guns, airbrushes and panel work. Set the regulator to the gun manufacturer's pressure (usually 2–4 bar) and fit an inline water trap. For continuous whole-building or industrial spraying, step up to a larger belt-driven compressor.
Tyre inflators, blow and dusting guns, spray guns, brad and staple guns, grease guns, air ratchets and light impact wrenches used intermittently. High-consumption tools — sand blasters, die grinders, orbital sanders and large 1/2" impact wrenches in continuous use — draw more air than this class delivers and need a bigger receiver and higher CFM.
Check the pump before first start. If there is an oil sight glass, filler cap or dipstick, it is oil-lubricated and must be filled with SAE 30 / ISO VG100 non-detergent compressor oil to the middle of the glass. If there is no filler or window, it is an oil-free pump and no oil is added. Never run an oil-lubricated pump dry.
From empty to 8 bar is typically in the region of 1.5 to 3 minutes for this class of machine. After the first fill the motor only tops up the tank between cut-in and cut-out, so restarts are much shorter.
It is a direct-drive compressor, so expect roughly 70–85 dB(A) at one metre — similar to a vacuum cleaner or angle grinder. Standing it on a rubber mat rather than bare concrete makes a noticeable difference. If near-silent operation is a requirement, ask us about low-noise oil-free silent compressors.
Allow for the starting surge, not just the 1500 W running load. A generator with at least 3.0–3.5 kVA of clean output is a safe minimum for this compressor; smaller sets will struggle at start-up.
Yes. We supply from Magadi Road, Ongata Rongai and Tuala, with delivery across Nairobi, Karen, Ngong, Kiserian, Kajiado, Athi River and countrywide by courier or parcel service. Call 0741 042484 or 0745 554008 to arrange.
Prices move with stock and exchange rates, so we quote on request to keep it accurate. WhatsApp or call 0741 042484 for today's price, or email info@shabbirihardware.co.ke. Trade and bulk rates are available for garages, contractors and resellers.
Hardware and building materials in Nairobi since 1990. Walk into either branch on Magadi Road, or order over the phone.
Magadi Road, Ongata Rongai
Opposite Hashi Petrol Station
Nairobi, Kenya
| Brand | Freevel |
| Model | DA 1500-25 |
| Category | Welding Supplies |
| Availability | In stock |
| Sourced by | Shabbiri Hardware Kenya Limited |
No reviews yet — be the first to review this product.
Customers who bought this often add these to their order.