Keeping Your Air Compressor Running Properly And Supplying Air Where It Is Needed
Using compressed air inside your shop or facility is often a good option if you are running tools and equipment that can be powered by air. A large compressor installed in the shop can be connected to many workstations throughout the building. Still, it is critical that air compressor maintenance is up to date or the entire system could stop working.
Air Filters
Air compressor maintenance often starts with the intake air filters for the compressor. It is essential that no dirt or organic matter is sucked into the compressor when it is operating, so the filters need regular inspection and should be changed if they start to appear dirty.
Neglecting the air filters on your air compressor can make it difficult for the compressor to draw the air needed. The lack of airflow can cause the compressor to work harder and overheat, causing a failure of the compressor over time.
Working with an air compressor maintenance service is sometimes the best way to ensure these filters are changed regularly and keep the compressor running correctly.
Oil And Lubrication
The compressor on an air compressor system works a lot like a small engine. The moving parts inside the compressor must be adequately lubricated to ensure that they continue to move freely and the compressors continue to function.
Most manufacturers recommend that the oil in the compressor is changed every three months for a compressor that runs a lot or every one hundred to two hundred hours of operation. A few even go as far as five hundred hours, so check with the manufacturer before you start your air compressor maintenance to determine when to change your oil.
Synthetic air compressor oils are available that offer reliable cooling and lubrication, and you can find them at most home centers or an air compressor dealer. If you are working with an air compressor maintenance service, they may recommend a specific oil for your compress, but you can ask about synthetic if you are interested in using it.
Check The Belts
Most air compressors that run on electricity have an electric motor that drives a v-belt that, in turn, drives the compressor pump. It is essential to check these belts regularly for any signs of damage like cracks or missing pieces. If you see something wrong with the belt, it should be changed right away.
Ignoring the damage, no matter how slight, could result in a belt failure that will stop the compressor from functioning. The belt will often have a part number on it, and if it is a brand-name belt, you can get a new one at an auto parts store, an air compressor dealer, or in some large home improvement stores.