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| | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 | I like to run my air compresser for long periods of time while using airtools. I'm little concerned about overheating it. How long is safe time to run it? How do you know when it's hot? It's fan cooled and I have another fan pointed at it to give it some extra air movement. Any input or suggestions would be great.
38 original
48 panel
59 stepside
46 in the back forty
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,384 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 2,384 | my cheapo Sears has run for 10+years, got a box fan on it in summer-DA for hours,,sandblasting & even the occasional hose leak,,it is still running fine,,brian | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | 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 | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,756 | If it runs continuously the heat is probably just from the air being compressed. the compressor will get hot but not damaged. The extra fan idea is a good idea.
note:: the hot air seems to draw more moisture, drain the tank often. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 267 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 267 | Gazim is very correct. hot air holds more moisture than cold.a cooling fan is a great idea that i have not considered. my .02 cents is to use a good compressor oil and change it at appropriate intervals tom
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| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | While it is accurate that warm air has the ability to hold more moisture that cold, keep in mind that in this situation, the air doesn't get warmed up UNTIL it enters the hard working compressor.
The concern with warm air in regard to air compressors, is the fact that this warmed air will not allow the moisture to fall out readily.
If the air isn't "after cooled" or "inter-cooled" suffeciently, the trapped moisture will end up in the tank, in the line, or worse yet, blowing out the end of your HVLP gun, all over your beautiful paint job.
The lower you can get the air temp, the more the water will condense and either fall out, or be able to be captured by a filter or dryer.
I think highwayman was using the fan to cool his extra hard working compressor...still a good stopgap measure.
Stuart | | |
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