Thread: Air compressor question

True enough. I was only making a suggestion that often proves to be an eye opener for people who think they have an "airtight" system. I agree with your comments about leaving the compressor on being a more economical way to go, provided of course you have only very small air leaks. In my case, whenever I forget to turn the compressor off at night, the bloody thing crashes into life in the wee hours and every dog for miles starts barking.

Originally Posted by kevinmcc

True enough. I was only making a suggestion that often proves to be an eye opener for people who think they have an "airtight" system.

All suggestions are much appreciated as I can learn more in reading the replies than reading a couple of books about. I'm fortunate I suppose that I bought this so long ago when at least it was well made (actually has workcover approval for use in work places) and not made for a specific market or price.

Connected the automatic roll up air hose and reel to the system and this works well and now that I started on this will alter the piping in the back workshop section to make it easier. Makes live much easier but the downside is still more connecxtions and possible minor leakage.

I gave the compressor a thorough clean out and check up this afternoon and did the wiring layout from the power point to the location of the new control switch ready for the new switch.


Peter.

Peter.

G'day guys, I have just bought some new air hose couplings (fittings) for the hoses etc they are made CEJN 320 series made in Sweden and are of an extremely high quality, no leaking...much better than the stuff sold in Bunnings. like anything you get what you pay for.

I turn my compressor off every night and drain the air tank.

After 14 years, my compressor has had no maintenance, except for filter cleaning and regular oil checks,

I run high pressure line and low pressure. Up to 120 ft of hose.

Hope this helps.

Paul

Single phase compressors (240V) should always be switched on and off by the pressure switch fitted to the compressor. The reason is:
1) By switching it off on the pressure switch it will also unload the compressor.This does not
happen if you switch it off at the powerpoint.
2) If your non return valve has a slight leak the system will be pressurised and when you
switch it back on via powerpoint you risk burning out the electric motor.
3) Also if the compressor starts up or attempts to start up with the heads pressurised the start
up current will be much higher. No good for the compressor or the powerpoint.
If your compressor is fitted with a solenoid valve unloading system then you could switch it on and off any time and any way you like. As soon as the power goes off, the compressor unloads.

Leaving the compressor switched on when you're not in the shop (overnight or on weekends) is not a good idea. If a hose bursts or something starts to leak badly the compressor will run flat out and get very hot. This could be a real fire hazard.

I agree with Walro, I have turned mine off at the mains accidentally and then a few minutes later I go to restart it at the mains and you can hear it struggling to get going again.

Thanks for all the replies, some very good advice there.

I normally only use my air tools, mainly nail guns, staplers and duster, a couple of hours at a time and not intermittantly during the day. I wait untill everything is ready for nailing and then switch on the compressor and when finished turn it of.

I will not switch it off and restart it a few minutes later, especially now that I'm aware of the possible problems. Some days I don't even use it at all.

Considering my work habits I think I'm safe to go to a central switch in the workshop to turn on/of the compressor. After all life was meant to be easy and this will avoid me bending down which is better for my ongoing health recovery.


Peter.

To lessen the effects of corrosion in the tank try this. Unscrew the drain valve and screw a piece of pipe or flexible air line into the tank where the valve was. Attach valve to the end of this pipe, now the water drains and sits in the pipe not in the tank and it doesn't matter if it is not drained every day. Mine has this and I drain it when I think about it and the compressor is at least forty years old. It helps if the compressor is raised a bit but if the pipe has a bend after it leaves the tank so what. If a compressor was in a cabinet you could run the drain to the outside of the cabinet, the longer the better as it holds more water.

Excellent idea Mini, will incorporate that, I suppose that at the end of the drain hose you could have a small airhose stop switch to make it easy to drain it.


Peter.

Wot's an air hose stop switch Pete?

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

Been switching mine off at the wall for over 20 years now. I'm not even sure if it has a user-operable switch on the unit!

You are one funny dude

So there is a bunch of us who disregard the instructions/warnings and just switch it off at the wall. Is there any one who has a horror story of dieing compressors or flaming motors or a curse being put onto their workshop from not using the switch on the compressor?

When I bought my compressor I got the "don't use a power lead" warning but how do tradespeople use their compressors on job sites???????

I understand the theory behind both these warnings but general practice points towards negligible risk.

I turn off from the compressor switch, then the power and drain the water.

I only use the compressor about once a month so it does not take too much time to do.

Originally Posted by Mini

Wot's an air hose stop switch Pete?

I mean the small in line stop switch as shown in this photo

If connected at the end of a small hose it is easy to open to drain out any water and close again. Only a few dollars from Bunnings.


Peter.