Beltguard Aftercooler - BGAC1M – 35cfm (5, 7, 10hp)

The Cast Air BGAC1M Beltguard Aftercooler is a 35 CFM air-cooled heat exchanger configured for belt guard mounting on 5 HP, 7 HP, and 10 HP reciprocating piston compressors. It is the same aftercooler as the BGAC1M, listed here with the explicit HP compatibility rating to make selection straightforward for shops that know their compressor horsepower but are less familiar with the Cast Air aftercooler part number system. The function is identical to the BGAC1M: mount to the belt guard, use the flywheel fan airflow for cooling, cool compressed air to within 15°F of ambient temperature, and remove up to 65% of the water content from the discharge air before it enters the tank. At $379.95, this is the mounted configuration — it is set up for direct belt guard installation on compatible compressor models without additional mounting fabrication. If your compressor is in the 5-10 HP class and you are dealing with moisture-related problems — water at the drains, air tool failures, paint quality issues, filter service intervals that are too short — this aftercooler addresses the root cause. Hot, moist discharge air is what causes those problems. Cooling the air immediately after the pump, before it reaches the tank, is what solves them. What the 35 CFM Rating Means for Your Compressor Selection Match CFM to Compressor Output: The BGAC1M is rated at 35 CFM — this matches the typical output range of 5 HP, 7 HP, and 10 HP single-stage and two-stage reciprocating piston compressors at standard operating pressures (90-175 PSIG) 5 HP Compressors: Typical output 10-18 CFM at 90 PSI — well within the 35 CFM capacity of the BGAC1M 7 HP Compressors: Typical output 18-24 CFM at 90 PSI — comfortably within the 35 CFM rating 10 HP Compressors: Typical output 28-35 CFM at 90 PSI — at or near the rated capacity of the BGAC1M, which is why this is the upper limit for this model Do Not Undersize: If your compressor output approaches or exceeds 35 CFM at your operating pressure, step up to the BGAC2 (50 CFM) — an undersized aftercooler does not cool effectively at above-rated flows Belt Guard Mounting and Cooling Operation Beltguard Integrated Design: The BGAC1M mounts directly to the belt guard assembly of compatible Cast Air compressors — the mounting configuration is built into the unit, not added as an afterthought Flywheel Fan Cooling: The compressor flywheel fan moves air across the aftercooler heat exchanger core — no separate cooling fan motor, no electrical connection, no additional maintenance requirement Pre-Tank Cooling: Compressed air passes through the aftercooler before entering the receiver tank — moisture condenses at the aftercooler and drains there, not inside the tank and downstream equipment Passive, Automatic Operation: Once installed, the aftercooler operates every time the compressor runs without any user intervention — nothing to switch on, nothing to adjust Moisture Reduction Performance Cools to Within 15°F of Ambient: Based on a 250°F inlet air temperature, the aftercooler drops compressed air temperature to within 15°F of the ambient shop temperature — at that point, the air is holding a fraction of the moisture it carried at pump discharge temperature Removes Up to 65% of Water Content: At rated flow and inlet temperature, the BGAC1M eliminates up to 65% of the water vapor from the compressed air before it enters the tank 50% Reduction Per 20°F Drop: For every 20°F the aftercooler drops the air temperature, water content in the air decreases by approximately 50% — the aftercooler's job is to create that temperature drop right after the pump where it has the maximum effect Downstream Equipment Protection: Drier air means longer tool life, fewer regulator failures, less corrosion in lines and fittings, and extended service intervals for inline filters and dryers Technical Specifications SKU: BGAC1M – 35cfm (5, 7, 10hp) Type: Air-cooled aftercooler, belt guard mounted CFM Rating: 35 CFM Core Dimensions: 18" L x 10-1/2" W Inlet Connection: 3/4" NPT Outlet Connection: 3/4" NPT Weight: 8 lbs Maximum Operating Pressure: 250 PSIG Maximum Operating Temperature: 350°F Performance Basis: 250°F inlet air temperature Temperature Drop: Cools to within 15°F of ambient Moisture Reduction: Up to 65% at rated conditions Cooling Method: Air-cooled via compressor flywheel fan Compatible Compressor Size: 5 HP, 7 HP, 10 HP Price: $379.95 Available Configurations — BGAC Aftercooler Lineup Cast Air builds belt guard aftercoolers in four size ratings. Select based on your compressor HP and actual CFM output at your operating pressure: BGAC1 / BGAC1M — 35 CFM: 18" L x 10-1/2" W, 3/4" NPT connections, 8 lbs — fits 5 HP, 7 HP, and 10 HP compressors. BGAC1 ($307.23) is the loose unit; BGAC1M ($379.95) is the mounted variant. BGAC1K adds mounting hardware for new installations. BGAC1x2M is the duplex version for twin-compressor setups. BGAC2 / BGAC2M — 50 CFM: 18" L x 14-1/2" W, 1" NPT connections, 12 lbs — fits 15 HP compressors. Step up here when your output exceeds 35 CFM at operating pressure. BGAC3 / BGAC3M — 75 CFM: 24" L x 20-1/2" W, 1" NPT connections, 20 lbs — fits 20+ HP compressors. BGAC4 / BGAC4M — 100 CFM: 23" L x 26-1/2" W, 1" NPT connections, 25 lbs — for larger industrial compressor systems. If your compressor falls right at the edge of the 35 CFM rating, call us at 866-217-0063 and we will help you confirm whether the BGAC1M is adequate or whether stepping up to a BGAC2 makes more sense for your duty cycle. When Does a Shop Need This vs. Stepping Up or Down BGAC1M is correct when: You are running a 5, 7, or 10 HP Cast Air reciprocating piston compressor with moisture problems and your compressor is set up to accept belt guard aftercooler mounting. The $379.95 mounted configuration gives you a cleaner installation than mounting a standalone unit separately. The BGAC1 ($307.23) is adequate when: You do not need the belt guard mounting configuration — for example, replacing an existing core on an installed mount — and want the lower-priced unit. Same 35 CFM performance, different mounting arrangement. Step up to BGAC2M when: Your compressor output approaches or exceeds 35 CFM at your normal operating pressure. At above-rated flow, the aftercooler cannot cool effectively — the air moves through the core faster than it can drop temperature. The BGAC1x2M is what you need when: You are running a duplex (twin-compressor) setup. Two cylinders running simultaneously produce more than 35 CFM combined — the x2M handles the duplex output in one mounted assembly. Common Questions Does the aftercooler eliminate the need for a desiccant dryer? No — an aftercooler and a desiccant dryer do different things. The aftercooler removes the bulk of the moisture (up to 65%) by cooling the air. A desiccant dryer handles the remaining vapor for applications that need very dry air (spray painting, instrument air, plasma cutting). In most shop applications, an aftercooler alone provides adequate moisture reduction. For paint and coating work, an aftercooler upstream of a dryer is the right combination. Does it work on non-Cast Air compressors? The BGAC1M is designed for Cast Air compressor belt guards. Compatibility with other brands depends on the belt guard dimensions and mounting provisions. Call us with your compressor make and model for a fitment assessment. How do I drain the condensate? The aftercooler collects condensed moisture in a moisture trap. This needs to be drained periodically — frequency depends on your operating hours, humidity, and air demand. Automatic condensate drains are available as an upgrade for high-duty-cycle applications. Why Buy From Air Compressor Factory Direct? Air Compressor Factory Direct has supplied compressor components and accessories to shops, fleet maintenance operations, and industrial buyers since 2016. We stock the full BGAC1 product family — BGAC1, BGAC1M, BGAC1K, and BGAC1x2M — so you can get the right configuration without special-order delays. Free shipping on qualifying orders. If you need to confirm that the BGAC1M is compatible with your specific Cast Air compressor model before ordering, call us with the model number and we will verify fitment. Full Cast Air manufacturer warranty. Our technical team is at 866-217-0063 for direct answers. Call 866-217-0063 for quick answers and help!