Maintenance Tips: Air Compressors - BodyShop Business

Maintenance Tips: Air Compressors

Here are six crucial keys to air compressor maintenance straight from the manufacturers. Take care of your compressor, and it will serve your shop for years to come.

1. Maintain the package’s pre-filter and inlet air filter elements. Filter elements clogged with dust and debris can drastically decrease the operating efficiency, as well as cause the unit to run at elevated temperatures.

2. Keep psi low. Overpressurizing wears out the compressor and tools quicker and costs you more. Every 2 psi over pressure requires an additional 1 percent of energy. A 30-hp compressor costs about $12,000 a year to run, but if you can lower pressure by 10 psi, you can save $600.

3. Clean the oil/aftercoolers on a regular basis and maintain proper oil levels.

4. Choose the proper size of compressor (based on CFM) for your particular application. Piston compressors will run too hot if undersized. Rotary compressors may short cycle and run too cool if oversized.

5. Drain the moisture from your tank, and make sure there are no leaks in your system.

6. Check compressed air piping regularly for contaminants like dust, dirt and sludge to ensure optimal tool performance and end product quality.


Information courtesy of Atlas Copco, Curtis Toledo, Kaeser Compressors, M-TM, Quincy Compressor and Sullivan-Palatek.

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