Air Compressor Maintenance And Storage
Air compressors are found in some of the roughest conditions, just because that's what the job demands. The core technology behind air compressors is intricate and sensitive to debris or rough handling, but there are a few protections provided by the manufacturer that can keep your systems running in the roughest of jobs. Still, if you have an expensive air compressor rig and don't want to take the chance, here are a few maintenance, deployment, and storage techniques to make even the most rugged job sites air compressor-ready.
Air Intake Moisture Protection
There are two major weak points for any air compressor systems: the filter and the attachments. These two points represent where airflow can either be restricted, allowed to leak, or allow debris to damage the internals.
Air intake is one of the biggest dangers. The filter needs to be properly cleaned to allow enough air to fill the compressor for quick compression, but there's another problem bigger than letting the filter clog. If moisture gets into the system, the compressor does a really good job of extracting water from the air and leaving it in the system.
This is an unintended by-product of the air compressor system, and there are some moisture-wicking techniques used in the higher end air compressors to combat the problem. Unfortunately, if you're using the compressor during a rainy day, you can almost guarantee water damage.
Always try to keep air compressors in an enclosed space, whether it's in a building, a vehicle, or a makeshift shed. Take no chances after a rainy or humid work day; meet up with an air compressor service professional to have the unit inspected and cleaned, just to be sure that the internals won't rust to the point of making your system a heavy piece of junk.
Fitting Care And Storage
Fittings as failure points are less drastic than the air filter failing, but you can still lose a lot of work.
Most air filter fittings are either direct air release or part of a pneumatic tool. These fittings either work with a trigger or a pressure release valve, and they all involve a precise component that allows air to release.
There is one major problem with these fittings: debris can ruin their capacity easily. If you're working around dirt or sand, dropping the fittings on the ground, or getting into gritty work areas, it can get the dirt particles inside the fittings. A few grains of sand can leave the fittings' air release open, resulting in an air leak that drains your air compressor's capacity.
To fight this problem, you'll need more than just a clean work area. Be sure that you and/or your workers have workshops or mobile tables that are roughly waist-height, allowing easy placement of equipment instead of dropping everything to the ground. A set of pans or short storage boards can be put on the ground for placement as long as they're high enough to avoid easily kicked up debris.
Contact an air compressor service professional like Compressor-Pump & Service, Inc. to get the right kind of storage and maintenance accessories, as well as inspection, repairs, or even new air compressor suggestions.