Buying and Maintaining An Air Compressor

An air compressor is a very handy tool, whether you are working at home or in your garage. It can be very helpful for a variety of tasks. However, choosing the right air compressor can be a bit confusing. The most confusing part is when you have to decide between an oil-free compressor and an oiled compressor. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

Oiled vs. oil-free air compressors

An air compressor draws air in through a piston. The air is then compressed into a storage tank. For maximum efficiency, the piston chamber needs to be adequately lubricated, for which oil is used. These are oiled air compressors. In oil-free compressors, however, the cylinder is pre-lubricated (mainly with Teflon) for permanent lubrication. the Teflon coating protects the pump. This is the main difference. While oil compressors require regular oiling, the latter do not require any lubrication.

Oil compressors require more maintenance than oil-free compressors. This is because the oil must be changed from time to time, depending on the design and the amount used. The user manual specifies how often the oil should be changed. This is not necessary for oil-free air compressors. In addition, oil-lubricated compressors are much heavier than oil-free compressors of the same design. This is because they have fewer parts. The cost of the two air compressors is also different. Oil-free air compressors are less expensive because they have fewer parts. The design is also simpler.

Oil Free Air Compressor

Save cost

Oil-free compressors can reduce operating costs by.

Eliminating the cost of collecting and disposing of oil-containing condensate

Eliminating the cost of replacing air/oil separator elements and the downstream filtration required to remove oil mist

Eliminating oil contamination and costly desiccant replacement in regenerative air dryers

Eliminate the possibility of compressed air line fires caused by oil residue

Eliminate the cost of product damage, lost production and reputation damage

Eliminate high energy costs

Buying

When purchasing a quality air compressor, you need to determine the type of equipment you need to purchase. Do you only use your air compressor occasionally for small jobs? Do you need a larger tank for automotive painting or restoration? Regardless of the type of air compressor you wish to purchase, you need to choose a machine made by a reputable manufacturer that comes with a good warranty and a complete line of accessories and replacement parts.

Belt Driven Air Compressor

How to maintain

With proper care and maintenance, a good air compressor will provide you with years of quality use and service. Proper maintenance will be the difference between a compressor that lasts for years and a compressor that breaks down after a few months of use. To extend the life of your air compressor, follow these tips to keep it properly in top condition.

Always remove moisture from the tank - The receiver tank on your air compressor will collect moisture from the air it compresses. If you live in a humid climate, the catch tank will quickly collect water. You should always make sure the tank is drained after each use of the compressor. Make sure you release the pressure in the reservoir before draining.

Clean the Air Intake - Causing your area compressor to overwork is the biggest killer of most air compressors. Over time, air intakes can become dirty and cause air compressors to lose power. Therefore, clean the air intake frequently to extend the life of your air compressor.

Change the air filter as needed - A dirty air filter on a compressor puts too much strain on the compressor and will almost always shorten its life. Therefore, check the air filter frequently and blow it out. Also, be sure to check and change it at least every six months.

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