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UNIMAC Air Compressor Comparison: Electric, Silent, Oil-Free & Petrol Models (20L to 150L, Including 40L)

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Testing statement: Firebusters has not personally tested or operated these compressors. This comparison is based on current UNIMAC and Edisons published specifications. Product specifications can change, so confirm the current listing before purchase.

UNIMAC Air Compressor Range: Quick Guide

UNIMAC offers a broad range of electric and petrol air compressors for home workshops, garages, property maintenance and higher-demand applications.

This comparison focuses on six models ranging from 20L to 150L:

  • ACM-200s – 20L oil-free electric
  • ACM-250s – 24L Quiet Air oil-free electric
  • ACM-400s – 40L Quiet Air oil-free electric
  • ACM-1000s – 100L Quiet Air oil-free electric
  • ACM-1000cv – 100L oil-lubricated belt-drive electric
  • UMC-15P – 150L petrol-powered compressor
Quick verdict: Do not choose an air compressor by tank size alone. The most important figure for running air tools is usually free air delivery (FAD). The 40L ACM-400s fills an useful middle position with 125L/min FAD, a 10A plug, oil-free operation and a published 62 dBA noise figure.

UNIMAC Compressor Specification Comparison

SpecificationACM-200s
20L
ACM-250s
24L
ACM-400s
40L
ACM-1000s
100L
ACM-1000cv
100L
UMC-15P
150L Petrol
Receiver20L24L40L100L100L150L
Motor / engine0.8kW / 1.1HP1.1kW / 1.5HP1.5kW / 2.0HP3 × 1.1kW / 4.5HP total2.6kW / 3.5HP18HP OHV 4-stroke petrol
Pump typeOil-freeOil-freeOil-free, twin cylinderOil-freeOil-lubricated belt driveOil-lubricated triple piston
Free air delivery75L/min @ 100 PSI100L/min @ 3.5 bar125L/min @ 7 bar300L/min @ 7 bar260L/min @ 7 bar1180L/min
Maximum working pressure116 PSI / 8 bar116 PSI / 8 bar116 PSI / 8 bar116 PSI / 8 bar116 PSI / 8 bar115 PSI
Power supply240V, 10A240V, 10A240V, 10A240V, 15A240V, 15APetrol
Published noiseNo specific figure confirmed here61 dBA LPA62 dBA LPA65 dBA LPA69 dBA LPA85 dB(A)
Product weight21kg20kg29kg72kg82kg160kg
Air outlets1 × ¼-inch Nitto1 × Nitto2 × ¼-inch Nitto2 × NittoDual Nitto outletsCheck current fitting specification
Published duty cycleNot statedNot statedNot statedNot stated0.75Not stated
Important comparison point: The FAD figures above are not all measured at exactly the same pressure. Always compare the air requirement of your tool at its required working pressure rather than assuming the largest published L/min figure automatically means the best match.

UNIMAC ACM-400s 40L Silent Oil-Free Compressor

UNIMAC ACM-400s 40L 2.0HP Silent Oil-Free Air Compressor

UNIMAC ACM-400s

40L 2.0HP Quiet Air Oil-Free Compressor

40L receiver, 1.5kW twin-cylinder motor, 125L/min free air delivery at 7 bar, 10A Australian plug, twin Nitto outlets and a published 62 dBA LPA noise level.


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Verified ACM-400s Specifications

  • Model: ACM-400s Quiet Air Series
  • SKU: TOLACMUM4C0FA
  • Receiver: 40L
  • Motor: 1.5kW / 2.0HP twin cylinder
  • Air displacement: 254L/min
  • Free air delivery: 125L/min at 7 bar
  • Maximum working pressure: 116 PSI / 8 bar
  • Restart pressure: 86 PSI / 6 bar
  • Noise: 62 dBA LPA
  • Power: 230–240V, 10A Australian plug
  • IP rating: IP20
  • Outlets: twin ¼-inch Nitto fittings
  • Weight: 29kg
  • Dimensions: approximately 30 × 73 × 70cm

Where the 40L Model Fits

The ACM-400s sits between the compact 20L and 24L models and the much larger 100L workshop compressors.

Its 125L/min FAD gives it more delivered-air capacity than the smaller compressors while retaining a normal 10A Australian plug.

That makes it worth considering for users who do not have a dedicated 15A outlet but want more reserve capacity than a small portable compressor.

62 dBA Published Noise Level

The current Edisons specification gives the ACM-400s a published noise level of 62 dBA LPA.

This is much better information than simply calling the compressor “silent”.

No air compressor should be assumed to be literally silent. Noise also depends on:

  • room acoustics
  • distance from the machine
  • hard walls and floors
  • motor load
  • maintenance condition

Use the published 62 dBA figure as a comparison point rather than a guarantee of the exact noise level in your own workshop.

10A Power Is a Major Practical Advantage

The 40L ACM-400s uses a standard 10A Australian plug.

By comparison, the larger 100L ACM-1000s and ACM-1000cv models require a 15A supply.

Do not modify a plug or use an unsuitable adaptor to operate a 15A compressor from a 10A outlet.

What Does 125L/min FAD Mean?

Free air delivery is the amount of usable compressed air the compressor can supply under specified conditions.

The ACM-400s is rated at 125L/min FAD at 7 bar.

Before buying it for an air tool, check the tool manufacturer’s required:

  • airflow in L/min or CFM
  • working pressure
  • continuous versus intermittent air demand

If a tool requires more air than the compressor can continuously supply, the receiver pressure will fall and the compressor will need recovery time.

Can Two Tools Be Connected?

The ACM-400s has two Nitto outlets.

That provides convenient connections, but having two outlets does not double the compressor’s air output.

The combined demand of both tools still needs to remain within the available air delivery if they are being operated at the same time.

Tank Size vs Air Delivery

A larger receiver stores more compressed air and can extend the time before the motor needs to restart.

However, a 40L tank does not turn a 125L/min compressor into a high-output continuous-air machine.

For sustained pneumatic tools, FAD remains one of the most important numbers.

20L and 24L Models

The smaller UNIMAC models are easier to move and use standard 10A power.

ACM-200s 20L

  • 20L receiver
  • 0.8kW / 1.1HP motor
  • 75L/min FAD at 100 PSI
  • 116 PSI maximum working pressure
  • 10A plug
  • 21kg

This model suits intermittent lower-air-demand work where compact size matters.

ACM-250s 24L

  • 24L receiver
  • 1.1kW / 1.5HP
  • 100L/min FAD at 3.5 bar
  • 116 PSI maximum pressure
  • 61 dBA LPA published noise
  • 10A plug
  • 20kg

The ACM-250s offers a little more air capacity while remaining relatively portable.

100L ACM-1000s Oil-Free Model

The ACM-1000s increases air delivery substantially to 300L/min at 7 bar.

  • 100L receiver
  • three 1.1kW twin-cylinder motors
  • 4.5HP total published output
  • 300L/min FAD at 7 bar
  • 65 dBA LPA
  • 15A plug
  • 72kg
  • twin Nitto outlets

It is better suited to larger workshop air requirements, provided a proper 15A electrical supply is available.

100L ACM-1000cv Belt-Drive Model

The current belt-drive option uses an oil-lubricated compressor pump rather than the oil-free system used by the Quiet Air models.

  • 100L vertical receiver
  • 2.6kW / 3.5HP motor
  • 260L/min FAD at 7 bar
  • 116 PSI maximum working pressure
  • 69 dBA LPA
  • 15A plug
  • 82kg
  • 0.75 published duty cycle

The belt-drive design requires more maintenance than an oil-free unit, including lubricant and drive-system checks.

150L UMC-15P Petrol Compressor

The UMC-15P is in a very different category from the smaller electric machines.

  • 150L receiver
  • 18HP OHV 4-stroke petrol engine
  • 1180L/min published FAD
  • 115 PSI working pressure
  • 6.5L fuel tank
  • electric key and recoil starting
  • 85 dB(A) published noise
  • 160kg product weight
Carbon monoxide warning: Petrol-powered compressors must not be operated inside garages, sheds, workshops or other enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces. Petrol engines produce carbon monoxide, which can be fatal.

Oil-Free vs Oil-Lubricated Compressors

Oil-Free

The ACM-200s, ACM-250s, ACM-400s and ACM-1000s use oil-free compressor systems.

Advantages include:

  • no compressor-oil changes
  • less routine pump maintenance
  • reduced risk of compressor lubricant entering the air stream

Oil-free does not mean maintenance-free. Tanks still need draining and filters, fittings, hoses and safety components still require inspection.

Oil-Lubricated

The ACM-1000cv and large petrol compressor use conventional lubricated compressor systems.

These require additional maintenance but may suit applications where a traditional heavy-duty compressor arrangement is preferred.

Important Note About Painting

Do not choose a compressor for spray painting based only on tank size.

Some spray guns use large volumes of air continuously.

Check the spray gun’s required FAD at its operating pressure and compare that number with the compressor’s published delivered-air figure.

A 40L tank can provide temporary reserve air, but if the spray gun continuously uses more than the ACM-400s can deliver, tank pressure will eventually fall.

Which Compressor for Which Type of Use?

ModelTypical FitMain Limitation
ACM-200s 20LInflation, cleaning and short intermittent air-tool use75L/min FAD
ACM-250s 24LSmall workshops and intermittent pneumatic tools100L/min FAD
ACM-400s 40LDIY workshop users wanting more stored air while retaining a 10A supply125L/min FAD may still limit continuously air-hungry tools
ACM-1000s 100LHigher workshop air demand with oil-free operation15A supply and 72kg weight
ACM-1000cv 100LTraditional belt-drive workshop useOil and belt maintenance; 82kg
UMC-15P 150LRemote or high-output work where mains power is unavailable160kg, 85 dB(A), fuel and exhaust

Basic Compressor Safety

  • Use the compressor on a stable surface.
  • Do not exceed the manufacturer’s working pressure.
  • Use hoses and fittings rated for the required pressure.
  • Drain receiver moisture according to the manufacturer instructions.
  • Inspect damaged hoses, fittings and electrical cables before use.
  • Disconnect electric compressors before servicing.
  • Keep IP20 electric compressors away from wet operating conditions.
  • Never direct compressed air at people.
  • Wear suitable eye and hearing protection where required.
  • Never operate petrol engines indoors or in enclosed areas.

Buyer Checklist

  • Find the FAD requirement for your highest-demand air tool.
  • Check the pressure at which the FAD figure is measured.
  • Choose sufficient reserve capacity for your type of work.
  • Confirm whether you have 10A or 15A power available.
  • Check compressor weight before assuming it is easily portable.
  • Check published noise figures if workshop noise matters.
  • Confirm the supplied fittings match your hoses and tools.
  • Allow for drainage and ongoing maintenance.
  • For petrol units, plan a safe outdoor operating position.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the correct model number for the 40L UNIMAC compressor?

The current model is the UNIMAC ACM-400s Quiet Air Series.

How much does the ACM-400s weigh?

The current published product weight is approximately 29kg.

How loud is the 40L compressor?

Edisons currently publishes an LPA noise level of 62 dBA.

Does the 40L compressor need a 15A outlet?

No. The current ACM-400s specification lists a standard 10A Australian plug.

What is its free air delivery?

The published FAD is 125L/min at 7 bar.

Can I connect two air tools?

The ACM-400s has two Nitto outlets. However, both tools still share the compressor’s available air supply, so their combined demand must be considered.

Is a 40L compressor automatically better than a 24L compressor?

No. A larger tank stores more air, but FAD, pressure, duty requirements, noise, weight and power supply are also important.

Is the 100L belt-drive compressor still 69kg?

The current ACM-1000cv listing gives a product weight of approximately 82kg. Older product information may show different figures or earlier model variants.

Final Assessment

The UNIMAC range covers very different levels of air demand, from portable 20L compressors to the large 150L petrol machine.

The newly added ACM-400s 40L is an especially useful middle option. It combines a 40L tank, 125L/min FAD, oil-free twin-cylinder system, 10A power, twin Nitto outlets and a published 62 dBA noise figure.

Firebusters recommendation: start with the air requirement of the tools you actually plan to use. For moderate home-workshop requirements where standard 10A power is important, the ACM-400s deserves consideration. Move to a 100L or higher-output unit when your tool demand exceeds what the 40L machine can continuously supply.

Research Sources

Specifications, availability, prices and warranty conditions can change. Confirm the current product page and manufacturer information before purchasing or operating any compressor.

Affiliate disclosure: Firebusters may receive a commission if you purchase through product links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
© Firebusters. General information only. Always follow the current manufacturer’s safety, operating and maintenance instructions.