highwayman,
Piston compressors are typically designed for a 80% duty cycle. In a 10 minute period, your compressor would run for 8 minutes, and rest for 2 minutes. If you exceed this duty cycle, compressor life will be drastically shortened.
If your compressor runs all the time, it indicates it is too small for the job. Although the pump will see increased wear, I think the electric motor will probably go first. If you start tripping the breaker, or the thermal overload on the compressor motor, you are headed for disaster.
Your idea of cooling the unit with a fan is probably the best method to coax more work out of it. If you smell smoke, pull the plug and run!
Stuart
