5 Money-Saving Maintenance Tips For Your Air Compressor
When an air compressor breaks at a repair shop, it slows down production and decreases profits. This can all be prevented by properly maintaining your machines. With some time and effort, you can get your air compressor in top running condition thanks to these five tips.
Pump Lubrication
First, you need to find out whether your air compressor needs lubricant or if it is an oilless model. Your owners manual should be able to tell you that information. The manual should also tell you what lubricant to use if your compressor uses oil and where to drain and fill the reservoir.
Wiring Check
An air compressor creates some serious vibrations. This constant movement can cause electrical plugs to become loose from the wall. The cord's insulation can crack or wear away, exposing the electrical wire. You can fix this by replacing the cord or by having a professional do it since it requires re-wiring the air compressor. If the air compressor is hard wired instead, the components can be jostled loose and create a fire hazard. Extension cords also pose a hazard because they're often undersized for the draw of the equipment, so make sure to plug the compressor into the wall and use a longer air hose.
Hose Inspection
Losing hose pressure can cause pneumatic tools to function improperly or not at all. Regularly inspect the hose mounts on the air compressor to see if they are tight. Sometimes you may need to add some Teflon tape to the threads to make them seal properly. If you notice that your hose is cracked or kinked, it needs to be replaced. You can greatly extend the life of an air hose by applying hose dressing weekly to keep the rubber supple.
Tank Treatment
Moisture in the tank can rust air compressor parts and cause pneumatic tools to corrode. There is a drain you should use daily at the bottom of most tanks. If you live in a humid climate, you might want to try a drying agent, which is sprayed into the tank, or an inline moisture trapping accessory.
Mount Check
The mounts keep the air compressor from toppling over or moving away while in use. Large ones are bolted to the floor and wall with rubber shock absorbers. On any model, these shock absorbers can dry rot, causing the air compressor to rock violently and damage itself or the rest of your shop. These should be checked once a month.
For more information, contact a company that has Sullair compressor parts.
Share