Even though it just sits in the corner of your garage or shop collecting dust, the air compressor is an essential part of your arsenal. Do you know what to do if it stops working?
How can you clean your air compressor? You should clean your air compressor while the power is off with a clean rag and something to soak up excess fluid. When draining the tank, leave room for large puddles of water.
The list starts there, but don’t worry. Read on, and you will have a step by step breakdown of how to clean and maintain your air compressor.
Cleaning Your Air Compressor
When in operation, your air compressor is battling some significant spots of dirt and grime. These will build up and could lead to critical malfunctions in the compressor. Cleaning and maintaining the compressor is essential to being able to take on those big jobs. The main things to look for when cleaning are:
Oil spots – If there are oil spots on the floor, find out the source and clean it straight away. Oil leaks on an air compressor mean a loss of compression inside the engine. A lack of compression means that the engine is close to failure. Use a clean rag and solvent to remove the excess oil.
Filters – The filters on an air compressor are some of the most essential parts of the machine. They allow air in and exhaust out. This flow keeps the air that is produced clean and free from debris. A clogged filter will cause the engine to overheat and fail.
Belts – Another essential part of the machine is the belt. A belt drives the large wheel, which produces air in the compressor. If there are binding agents on the wheel, it could become stuck and cease to function. Take a wire brush, or toothbrush, and clean around the central hub of the compressor.
Steps to Clean The Compressor
Unplug
Wipe
Vent
Filters
Hoses
1.Unplug
Turn the power off. If left on, it can begin to cycle and snag a piece of clothing or hair. Also, while working with water, pay extra attention to electricity. Soap or detergent added to a washer
can be an additional conductor for electricity.
2. Wipe
Take a rag and wipe down the exterior of the machine. Pay special attention to areas around the controls and intake/outtake vents.
3. Vent
You should vent the excess water and air stored in the tank. There are knobs for each that are at or near the controls and bottom of the tank.
4. Filters
Remove the intake and outtake filter and brush out particles with a toothbrush. If any large pieces of dirt or wood get inside they could block the flow. A blockage will cause engine stalling and potentially failure.
5. Hoses
The rubber hose that attaches to the tool on an air compressor should be wiped down with a rag. If there are dry rotted spots present, the hose should be changed out. A blowout while in operation is dangerous. Take dry rot seriously.
Air Compressor Maintenance Tips
Like any other piece of electronic machinery, an air compressor has a set of guidelines to follow if you want to keep it up and running. The essential items to check are:
Read the Manual
Drain Moisture
Clean Vents
Tighten Up
Safety System
Check Fluids
Change Element
Heat Exchangers
Hoses
1. Read the Manual
When it comes to understanding how your air compressor works, the best place to go is the owner’s manual. It can give you many interesting facts you didn’t know like:
When to service the compressor – The guidelines for when to service the compressor are usually featured in the manual. Regular maintenance prevents major repairs and keeps the machine operating at a high level.
What oil to use – Like most smaller engines, it has a specific type of oil that it needs. Using the correct oil will keep the engine clean, and regular changes will extend the life of the compressor.
What size belts to buy – The motor on the compressor turns a wheel that creates air inside the chamber. This air is used to power the tools via a pneumatic hose. Reading the manual will show you what size and length hose to buy in case of failure.
How to purchase replacement parts – Depending on the manufacturer, it could be a difficult task to find the parts you need. Inside the manual, there will be parts numbers and retailers that will offer their parts.
2. Drain Moisture
On the underside of most air compressor tanks is a tiny valve switch. This switch helps drain the moisture from the container that is created when air is created. Cleaning the tank is a three-part process. It consists of:
Power Off – Make sure that the power is turned off on the machine. Any power that is running to the device could potentially shock the user when they attempt to drain the moisture.
Release Pressure – Wearing safety goggles, pull the tiny ring that releases the excess air. The glasses will keep particles from flying into your eyes.
Find the Valve – Now that the power is off and the stored up air is released, you can toggle the moisture valve. Depending on how long it has been since the last maintenance, the water could be dirty and full of particulate.
3. Clean the Vents
The air that is stored and compressed has to come from somewhere. That’s where the intake vent comes in. Clearing debris and particles from the valve will keep the tank nice and clean. On the flip side, your machine could have an exhaust valve. Over time build up could lead to clogging and eventual failure.
4. Tighten Up
When the motor on the compressor is running, there will be vibration. After usage, the nuts and bolts that hold the machine together will loosen. Take a wrench and tighten those bolts and nuts that have come loose.
5. Safety System
Specific models of air compressors come with a safety system that will keep the motor from failing. When the oil reaches a certain level or the filters become too clogged, and the engine burns itself out, the system will kick in.
6. Check Fluids
Like most machines, an air compressor has to have gas and oil to work. Before operation, the levels on all the fluids should be checked. If there is water or particles in the gas or oil, it could have a dangerous malfunction.
7. Change Element
Inside each motor on a compressor is a separator element. This element protects the machine from using too much oil or gas. A good rule of thumb is to change the separator every 900 to 1000 hours.
8. Heat Exchangers
Heat exchangers are pieces on the machine that are used to vent away heat. They can become filled with debris and cause the device to overheat. Overheating any gas-powered engine isn’t a good idea. The excess heat could crack the block and destroy the engine.
9. Hoses
Each compressor will come with a hose that attaches to the tool. These hoses should be checked for holes and dry rot. If hoses malfunction, there could be dangerous debris flying across your workspace.
Maintenance Schedules for Your Air Compressor
Any machine that has moving parts has a maintenance routine. The best results are often achieved by using the owner’s manual. Inside the manual, there will be specific directions that are thought to increase the performance of your air compressor. The main types of maintaining your air compressor are:
Preventative
Corrective
Daily
Weekly
90 Day
1.Preventive
Preventive maintenance is done while the machine is still in operation. This is done to keep the engine running and prevent catastrophic breakdown. Main things to do when doing preventive maintenance are:
Schedule times for maintenance-If you have an air compressor related business you should set aside hours to maintain the machine. The number of hours on the engine will determine if you need more or less maintenance. For the average homeowner, preventive maintenance should be done three times a year.
Make maintenance after the usage part of the job– Don’t stop on a job until the air compressor has been maintained and is ready for the next job. If you are a business owner, make the maintenance an employee task after they are done with the machine.
Don’t maintain the machine to fail– If you always mess around on the inside of the engine, something is going to fail. The moving and replacing of new parts could be even worse for the compressor than no maintenance. Abide by the schedule, and these problems won’t pop up as much.
Prepare the machine for the changing seasons– Depending on your location, you could need to prepare the compressor for the elements. The warmer, dryer climates can be hard on belts and hoses. The lack of moisture in the air makes them fail much faster than in a temperate climate.
Take the machine in for professional preventive maintenance- If you are lucky enough to have an air compressor that has a maintenance package, you should take advantage. When the company is geared towards the preservation of its product, the life of the compressor is extended. In some instances, it can be restored to factory originality.
Keep a few spare parts on hand- A good rule of thumb is to have two of every replacement part. When you run your own company, not being able to source a part could mean loss of time and reputation. The extra parts may eat into your bottom line at first but will prove worth the money as time goes by.
Bring in a maintenance man to work with your crew- A certified maintainer of machines can be hired by the company to teach your workers how to service the machines. While they won’t be able to perform certified maintenance, their knowledge of how it works can give them workarounds until maintenance can be achieved.
Keeping a maintenance log is an excellent idea- If you follow a record of what has been serviced and when you maintain it, you will be able to track what needs work and when. A log also shows the manufacturer that you have been doing the proper maintenance. If the machine does fail, it could mean refunds or discounts towards the next machine you buy.
Keep books and manuals available- You never know when it will malfunction, or you need to see a part number. Inside the manual will be contact information for the
manufacturer as well. Anything that breaks down will have a solution or a place to start, inside the service and owner’s manuals.
Install a top to bottom plan for your business- When it comes to a company centered around machinery, everyone in the company should commit to its maintenance.
2.Corrective
Another type of maintenance is corrective. Corrective maintenance is done when a technician does preventive procedures and finds a problem. Usually, there is a company procedure for when this happens. If you are self-employed or a homeowner, your corrective procedure could be seen during regular repairs. There are several benefits to corrective maintenance; they are:
Longer life of the machine – The corrective maintenance will scout out problems before they occur. This leads to a longer and more productive life for the air compressor. Longer and more stable life for the machine means years of durable service for you.
Safer – Doing corrective maintenance is more reliable for you and your employees. Finding the flaws and snuffing them out keeps the potential for harm to a minimum.
Fewer Service Interruptions – You can get more done if you are proactive about the job. Corrective maintenance is a proactive step that means less downtime in the future.
Production Optimization – Staying on top of problems also means that you are producing at your highest rate possible. More production means jobs are finished faster and cheaper.
3.Daily
There are a few things that need to be checked every time. These are the things that make the machine function. Any of these things could fail and stop production. They are:
Check the oil level – Without oil, the engine will seize and become a useless hunk of metal. The oil makes the internal parts of the engine movable and protects them against the high operating temperature.
Drain the tank – The moisture that is created when the compressor creates air must be drained from the air tank. On most models, there is a valve on the underside that can release it. Depending on the number of hours run, there could be up to a gallon of water inside.
Tighten the bolts – The vibrations from the engine will loosen bolts over time. It is a good idea to check all bolts each day. A loose bolt could cause a catastrophic failure.
Cut the power – When not in use, cut the power to the air compressor. This is a safety precaution, but keep in mind that when doing any maintenance, the machine should be unplugged or shut down.
4.Weekly
Weekly maintenance should be performed. These are the critical tasks that you should perform on the last day of the workweek. They allow the machine to function at its highest level with no breakdowns or stoppages. Weekly maintenance should consist of:
Cleaning – Dust and dirt stick to the air tank during use. When cleaning, take a rag and remove all dust from the moving parts. Pay special attention to the filters and the hoses.
Tighten belts – The belt on the compressor will loosen over time. You should make it a part of your weekly maintenance routine. A slack belt means that the machine isn’t functioning at its highest output. The wheel is much harder to turn, which taxes the engine.
Check tools – Depending on the job you are undertaking it might be a good idea to check out the devices you attach to the machine. If the tools have serious malfunctions, then they could harm the air compressor.
5.90 Day
The 90 Day maintenance is a bit deeper than the others. Every 90 days, there must be repairs that require removing pieces of the machine. The essential parts of 90-day maintenance are:
Oil change – The engine and crankcase oil must be changed every 90 days. Pay attention that you use the oil that is suggested in the owners or service manual. Every little bit helps when it comes to maintenance, and keeping the oil changed is the most critical job.
Air leaks – Throughout ownership, your air compressor will spring air leaks. Constant vibration not only loosens bolts from the engine but will loosen bindings in the tank. These tiny air leaks can be found using soapy water on the outside of the tank.
Gaskets – Just like the air filters, the gaskets on the machine will need to be checked and changed. Replacing some of the gaskets will require significant removal of parts. Indeed, take the compressor to a trained professional.
Best Air Compressors
The market for air compressors is quite large, with several different types and uses. When buying, you should keep your intended usage at the forefront of your mind. You can’t run a tire shop with a cordless 12V inflator/deflator, and having an 80-gallon tank could be a bit much for inflating your floats down at the beach.
Ryobi P731 – Ryobi makes a tremendous portable inflator/deflator. It is an 18V portable system that is perfect for your sporting needs. The built-in caddy for inflation tools and deflation hose make it look slick. The controls on the top are easy to navigate and vibrant.
Powermate Vx – The Powermate Vx is an 80-gallon behemoth. These air compressors are meant for heavy-duty work on industrial equipment or large trucks. It is made of cast iron and has a limited warranty. The coolest thing about it is the wired cage that protects the wheel. Not
only does it keep random debris from flying in the wheels, but it also cools the system down faster. The improved cooling system functions better and with few problems.
GX CS3 – The versatility of the GX is what makes it such a good machine. It can be used for small and large jobs alike. The 12V battery can be charged in the home or with a cigarette lighter. This unit is oil and water-free, which means that there are no fluids to check or maintain. The dual fans located on the back panel create the GX’s power and cool it off.
Stealth Air Compressor – When it comes to quiet, this unit takes the cake. It is a three-gallon, and it is super quiet. The induction motor creates one horsepower and is oil-free. The stealth is more of a middle of the road jobs machine. That means it can be used for the small jobs, but might not be powerful enough for your most invasive tasks.
Metabo HPT – Metabo is the new branding of the Hitachi company. The HPT is a six-gallon machine that weighs 35 pounds and creates enough force to run a nail gun. This machine paired with a nail gun akes it perfect for the home construction or deck building.
Makita Big Bore – The larger bore inside the machine creates more pressure at a more leisurely rate. Meaning pressure is created faster. While it does use oil, the Makita has a pump that runs much cooler than its competitors. Another bonus is the larger size that allows for higher air intake and production.
California Air Tools – This unit is an excellent portable that is very quiet. Since it operates at such a low decibel threshold, there is increased longevity and optimal operation. It is on the smaller side at only 0.6 HP, and it generates a max pressure of 230lbs.
Best Air Compressor Tools
When it comes to using your air compressor for business, there are a few tools that must belong in your arsenal. The best tools for your air compressor are:
Nailgun
Owning an air-powered nail gun will take your project to the next level. There are three types of nail guns, one for each kind of building or construction.
Brad Nailer – A Brad nailer is used for smaller jobs like trim work. The nails that are used are slender and very tough. They are hard to drive in with a regular hammer, so having a Brad nailer could mean a world of difference.
Roofing Nailer – For shingles, you need a flat nail that has a larger than average head. A Roofing nailer is an essential tool for the homebuilder. The time saved as opposed to a hammer and nails will be well worth the investment.
Framing Nailer – A Framing nailer is used to make the walls and joists of a house. It nails 2 x 4’s and will work in almost any construction environment.
Air Wrench
If you are a mechanic with an air compressor, you need a set of air wrenches. These tools can be used for tires and are much quicker than the lug wrench.
Impact Wrench – An impact wrench is used to work in small spaces, but provide an incredible amount of power. They can crack seals and release bolts that have been seized.
Ratchet Wrench – We’ve all seen the regular ratchet wrench. It is designed for even smaller spaces than the Impact wrench. It is more of a finesse wrench as opposed to the Impact.
Drill
The remarkable thing about having a drill that is run by an air compressor is that it can run for extended periods. The longer you run it, the more it cools off—the opposite of what an electric drill does. The kicker is that it is much safer to operate in an environment that could be filled with flammable and combustible material.
Sander
Whether you are working on an old car or making a crib for your newborn, having an air sander will make the job a breeze. It works by shifting a flat piece on its head to create the back and forth motion. Attaching a particular grain of sandpaper allows you to do more jobs. The size of the sander should depend on the task you are undertaking. You will pay more for more coverage area, be warned.
Stapler
Another great tool to have at the ready is an air stapler. These staplers are used for hanging fabric or plastic in large areas. They boast a higher speed rate than some nail guns, but the staples they use are much smaller. Like the nail gun, there are specially sized staples that could require additional attachments.
Hammer
When you think of hammers, you think of nails, but that isn’t always the case. There are versions of the roto hammer that are used more like a chisel. They chip away at a surface, like a jackhammer, to reveal or repair what is underneath. Sculptors use an air compressor and roto hammer to do the intricate design work that is found in high-end art galleries.
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