Every maintenance department has a designed preventive maintenance schedule for their industrial air compressors. This PM program must be followed to allow the air compressor to run at optimal performance. The maintenance schedule must be broken down into hours of use for the air compressor, while considering ambient conditions. An air compressor used in an industrial environment will have daily, weekly and monthly maintenance that must be performed and recorded to ensure the unit is operating properly and efficiently.

The maintenance manager or foreman will design a checklist for the industrial air compressor that will be filled out by maintenance staff and filed each day. The checklist will include the inspection of the lubricant levels. The industrial air compressor has low- and high-level marks on a gauge. The daily inspection will also include draining the moisture traps, drop legs and receiver tank to release the water that has built up during use. Inspect the safety guards, valves, hoses and connections for leaks to ensure they are visually acceptable for use. Check the gauges on the pressure lubricating units. Every unit has an oil pressure requirement specific to the model and manufacturer. Operating temperature should also be checked regularly.

A weekly maintenance schedule must be included on the maintenance checklist. This requires the maintenance staff to inspect and clean certain parts of the industrial air compressor. The pressure relief valves must be inspected for proper operation. Check for any air leaks and the air distribution system for any leaks. The compressor and coolers must be cleaned by wiping these components down and blowing out any dust or debris build up. Check the lubricant and change if necessary. The air intake filters must be replaced weekly.

Every month the belt tension and/or coupling on industrial air compressors must be inspected. If the belts are loose, they must be tightened. If the belts are worn or cracked, they must be replaced. Inspect the electrical components, such as the contactor tips and brushes on the motors. Worn, burnt or melted contacts or brushes must be replaced.

These maintenance tips will allow your air compressor to last for years.

Purchasing a rebuilt air compressor is often an economical alternative to buying a new model. There are numerous advantages that are offered when a person wishes to buy a rebuilt compressor. However, there are also some disadvantages, and these should be weighed to ensure a person is content with their purchase. One of the first considerations for anyone in the market for an air compressor is the amount of air they need. This will affect the longevity of any machine,.

A rebuilt air compressor offers most of the same features that are found in new products, but it usually costs half the price of a new model. This is due to the fact that it has already been used. The chief disadvantage, to purchasing a product that has been rebuilt, is that it may not last as long as a new model. Efficiency may also be compromised, as rebuilt products may be based on older technologies. However, the higher expense of a new machine may often compensate for these issues. Most firms will also supply a limited warranty with a rebuilt air compressor, and this helps to eliminate any issues with the longevity of the machine.

Purchasing the proper air filters for your industrial air compressor is important to limit the damage to your rebuilt air system. Particulates such as scale, metal oxides and dirt can enter your compressed air system and cause damage to it. Liquids can also harm your air compressor through erosion if they are not properly filtrated. Chemical gases and microbes not only disrupt the efficiency of your air system, but they can also threaten the health and safety of your personnel. Buying a compressed air filter allows your system to have clean, dry air which improves the functionality of your compressed air system and protects it from harm, thus reducing maintenance costs and increasing finished product yield. Common types of air filters include compressor intake filters, compressor oil/air separators, coalescing filters, particulate filters, high particulate filters, and vapor filters.

Buying a rebuilt industrial air compressor has never been easier, and buyers have several options they can use to find the machine for their needs. The Internet has a host of different merchants that can offer a variety of machines. However, there are a host of industrial suppliers in most areas who can provide their clients with a rebuilt air compressor as well.

Many companies choose to take advantage of the benefits that are offered when they purchase a rebuilt industrial air compressor. These machines are more economical than new products and can offer the same benefits.

The location of where an air compressor will be installed is important because a good location will save you money, keep the compressor system more efficient and prevent problems from occurring. While you search for that perfect place for your air compressor, noise level should be considered. Air compressors can be loud enough to be a distraction to workers, which can affect work production and quality. Find a place where the sound will not be a problem for others.

Accessibility is also an important factor to consider when choosing the best location for your air compressor. Any room that the compressor is placed in or any enclosure that is built around it needs to be built in such a way that it allows for easy access to all parts of the compressor. The air compressor will likely be used often, and thus it will need to be checked out for monthly maintenance, so there should be sufficient room around the compressor. It should allow space for the air compressor to be removed from the room, should it be necessary. The selected area should be big enough for a person to maneuver around to perform maintenance and repairs.

Also, the air compressor needs room to breathe; it needs air space around it to keep cool. One should consider adding vents if the compressor is in a room. Something else to consider is the environment. The area must be cool and clean because the compressor generates heat. If the space is already hot on top of the heat being generated, it may create water-related problems and premature break downs.

Finally, you need to think about power requirements. The area should be prepped with equipment to ensure the compressor runs properly. A power supply should be nearby for AC-powered compressors. Batteries and/or an outlet should be nearby for DC-powered compressors. Air compressors running on gasoline, natural gas or diesel should have equipment near, not right next to, the compressor. Also, make sure that the space and equipment can handle the horsepower generated by the air compressor. Do not use it with outlets that are not safe or will cause lights to blink, as they drain electricity. Batteries should be checked to make sure they are not leaking. When using a gas or diesel compressor, make sure to read instructions carefully on how much gasoline or diesel to add and how high or low natural gas temperatures should be.

Industrial sized air compressors are an invaluable tool in the workplace. Many large pieces of machinery and tools will use compressed air to function, such as pneumatic drills, nail guns, and even jackhammers. Getting the most from your industrial air compressor means ensuring that it is running at its highest level of efficiency, which can be done through simple routine maintenance, repairs, and regular checks to keep it running in top shape.

Preventative maintenance goes a long way in keeping the shelf life of your industrial air compressor long, so here are some areas you should routinely check and maintain. One of the first things you can do is to check on your machine itself for its specifications, specifically the PSI, CFM, and pressure gauges located throughout the system. Once the specs for your unit have been determined, you can figure out the proper energy consumption with the use of a KWH meter. This will let you know the power level at which your machine is running and from there you can make alterations to the output of the system itself to lower energy costs.

A huge problem that can plague an industrial air compressor if not fixed immediately is leakage, from both the hoses and the machine itself. Most leaks can be heard, as compressed air streaming out of a leak will make a noticeable sound, so you should be able to pinpoint the leak. Regular thorough inspections will point out any leaks in the system before they become serious problems. On top of this, installing a flow meter on the main line can be useful in gaining additional information.

Once the leak has been found, it needs to be fixed immediately, because nothing kills the energy efficiency of an industrial air compressor like a leak does. Leaks can easily be fixed and repaired by standard means, and it helps your system if you have an isolation valve located in the main line. This will slow any leak and make it easier to find and fix.

Keeping tabs on the PSI and CFM of your system will also help increase the energy efficiency. If your tools need to run at a certain minimum PSI to work, make sure that the machine is compressing air to that pressure, but not causing excess amounts of pressure. The same goes true for the CFM reading, which measures the amount of total compressed air in the tank itself. Use only the minimum amount of CFM on your system for each individual job, otherwise you are going to be wasting energy.

Knowledge is key when it comes to dealing with compressed air solutions, so be sure to check out and talk to an established, credible air compressor dealer for all your maintenance needs.

Lubrication is important for industrial air compressors. Anyone who tries to operate an air compressor without proper lubrication will quickly find themselves replacing internal parts. There are many reasons why lubrication is important.

The lifespan of an industrial air compressor depends on the use of quality lubrication. Lubrication affects many parts of an air pump including the gears, pistons, and gearings. With proper lubrication, many parts will have a longer life because of reduced friction. Proper lubrication should also reduce the temperature inside the air compressor by conducting heat. A good lubricant can also remove the heat of compression and protect the internal parts from rust. Lubricants can reduce the cost of operating an industrial air compressor not only because it can reduce or eliminate repair costs due to wear and tear, but also because it can make your air compressor perform more efficiently, in a more energy-saving way.

It is important to use high quality synthetic fluids for lubrication. It may be enticing to buy lower quality products because they are cheaper, but they do not lubricate as well or hold up under harsh conditions. Higher quality lubrication provides the right amount of shielding to important parts without causing sludge, grime, and other build up to accumulate on the parts. In choosing a lubricant for your air compressor you should also take into consideration the kind of compressor in question. There are many different kinds of lubricants - diesters, polyglycol/ester coolants, polyol ester, polyalphaolefins, silicone oil, synthetic blend, and petroleum oil, to name a few – and the one you pick will most likely be dependent on the kind of compressor you have. If your compressor is still under warranty, use the designated lubricant that the manufacturer suggests. Adhering to the manufacturer’s maintenance intervals and using the original equipment manufacturer's parts are needed to comply with the warranty.

It is important to regularly change the lubricant in an air compressor, much like you would change the oil in a car. Because the lubricant is oil, it can sit in the air compressor and become old. If the oil is not changed frequently, it can lose its lubricating properties and turn into sludge on and hinder the compressor's performance. It can also lead to filter blockage and bearing failure. There are tools that diagnose the TAN (total acid number) in lubricant. Once the TAN is above recommended levels, it is time to change the oil. There are things you can do to preserve the lifespan of the lubricant, such as keeping filters clean and monitoring temperatures. At operating temperatures above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, typical compressor lubricants break down faster.

Lubrication is very important for industrial air compressors. By frequently changing the oil, you can save thousands of dollars in repair and maintenance. Be aware of the manufacturer’s specifications for types and grades of oil prior to changing.