How to properly care for your air compressor
Topic: Air Comrpessor Maintenance
To ensure that you air compressor will work properly and deliver high quality air at good air pressures, there are a couple of things you should check regularly. Even though air compressors are simple and robust, they can, and will break down, if maintenance is neglected for too long. The problems with breakdown is that they always happens at the worst imagined time, when you are far away from any spare parts and desperately needs an air compressor to finish the work. The key word to avoid this situation is, preventive maintenance. By doing a few regurarly checks and parts replacement we can ensure a good working compressor with close to no possibility of braking down.

Daily maintenance:

• Check power cable and socket for damages
• Check air compressor for damages and faults
• Check oil level and refill as needed
• Make sure that safety devices is in order on air tools such as nailers, grinders, etc.
• Listen for abnormal noise and check for vibrations at start up.
• Check that the automatic cut-off switch stops and starts the compressor at the correct pressures
• Drain air tank, water trap, oil trap, and other system drains minimum once daily.
• Check for leakages once the compressor has filled the air system and the air compressor has paused.

Weekly maintenance

• Dust of the air compressor and clean the exterior with a damp cloth, make sure to keep the cooling ribs free of dust and dirt, since they have a big impact on the air compressors performance.
• Top up the compressor oil level and lubricator if installed.
• Lubricate all air tools by adding some compressor oil to the inlet connection before you connect the air and operate them fro 10-15 seconds.

Monthly maintenance

• Check the tightness of the drive belt, especially if the compressor makes a squeak on start up, by pushing it up and down. It should not flex more than approximately 1 inch in either direction.
• Function test the air relief valve/safety valve to make sure it it in working order and can move without any obstructions.

Every year

• An oil change is due every year if not more often. As the oil ages, it is exposed to oxidation, heat, water, etc. which all are factors deteriorating the oil.
• Once a year it is a good idea to change all filters as well. This includes the inlet air filter, in stream air filter, coalescing filter, etc.