9 Maintenance Tips for Your Compressed Air System

Now that you’ve invested in an air compressor to run your air tools and equipment, you’re going to have to learn how to keep your system at optimal performance. When you’re constantly dealing with day to day issues to keep your facility running, it’s easy to forget about periodic checks and upkeep to your compressed air system. This can be a costly oversight so it’s vital for you to keep an eye on the following maintenance tips.

Maintenance Tip 1: Drain The Moisture From The Tanks
The receiver tank collects moisture from the air that it’s compressing – especially if you live in a humid climate. Most tanks have a valve for draining this moisture that accumulates and it’s up to you to make sure that these are drained regularly. Before draining the water you should be sure to release the air pressure from the tanks.

Maintenance Tip 2: Clean Intake Vents
If you force your air compressor to work too hard to intake air you’re losing power on your compression. This will gradually degrade the quality of your tool. Be sure to keep your intake vent as clean as possible and check them regularly especially if you’re working in a dusty or dirty environment.

Maintenance Tip 3: Tighten All Fasteners
Your air compressor’s a running, vibrating engine and it will loosen its screws, nuts and bolts on a regular basis. Be sure to check these periodically and tighten them up if you find any that have jiggled loose.

Maintenance Tip 4: Check Hoses Regularly
Check all your hoses and air lines periodically as they are the veins of your air compressor. If they become cracked or corroded they could soon begin to leak and then put undue strain on the rest of your compressor’s components. Be sure to check them and replace them if you find them cracked or damaged.

Maintenance Tip 5: Test the Safety Shutdown System
Your air compressor may have a built in safety shut down. The function of this system is to shut off your compressor if it’s getting too hot, or if the engine’s oil pressure is too low. This test will help you ensure a longer lasting compressor.

Maintenance Tip 6: Check and Change Air Filters As Needed
A filthy air filter is only hurting your air compressor by allowing dirt from the outside in, plus forcing it to work harder to intake air. Check your filters regularly and change them if you notice a heavy build up of dust and dirt. Change every 2,000 hours, or six months, whichever comes first.

Maintenance Tip 7: Check and Change the Compressor Oil
If you’re running a compressor that uses oil you should be checking it on a daily basis to make sure that your machine is topped off. Then, you will want to change per Oil Analysis recommendation, hour life rating of lubricant, or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Maintenance Tip 8: Change the Separator Element
The separator element prevents the excessive use of oil, but it has to be replaced periodically. Keep your compressor in top condition by replacing the separator element every 1,000 – 4,000 hours of operation, depending on your unit.

Maintenance Tip 9: Clean the Heat Exchangers
If your heat exchangers are dirty then they can’t do their job, which is to reduce the operating temperatures of your air compressor. Clean them regularly to keep your operating temperatures down and increase the life span of your air compressor.

Here at Best Aire Compressor Services, Inc., we understand that your demanding schedule may make it impractical to do all of the above on a regular schedule. For that reason we offer our Preventative Maintenance services to you. Contact us today to get your appointment scheduled!