Maintaining Your Air Compressor Effectively

Your air compressor is an important accessory for your automobile. In case you need to maximize the life & value of your compressor then it is best to proactively maintain it. There are lots of simple things that you can do to basically maintain your air compressor.

Reading the air compressor manual

The first step should always be reading the manual you get with your air compressor. Not only will this allow you to properly use the machine but other valuable information about the warranty. With many of these machines if you do not follow certain rules and guidelines then you can void the manufacturer's warranty.

Checking the fasteners

Something you might not notice when you use your machine is that the fasteners will loosen. It is important that you regularly check that the fasteners as tight. If these nuts and bolts become loose then the machine will not work as it should. These should be tightened either by hand of with a wrench.

Keeping the compressor clean

The most important thing you should do is keep your compressor clean. There are many parts of the machine that you need to keep clean. These will include the intake vents and hoses. The intake vents in particular need to be cleaned regularly. These vents become clogged with dust and this means that the machine has to work harder. If you have a gas powered compressor then you should clean the fuel take at least once a year. This will remove any residual build-up which can cause problems with the machine.

Air compressors and their filters

All air compressors need filters on them to stop dust from getting into the mechanisms. You need to check these regularly to see if they are clogged or not. Two things can happen to the compressor if these filters are clogged. Clogged filters will cause the machine to work harder which lowers the life span of the machine and dirt or dust may get into the mechanisms which can break the machine.

What about oil?

There are some compressors that use oil in the mechanisms. If you have one of these types then you need to keep the oil level at the correct amount. You should check the level every time you use the machine. It is also a good idea to change the oil every 500 to 1000 hours of use.

What to do with moisture

Moisture can build up in many different parts of the compressor and you need to know how to deal with it. The tanks of the machine are the places where the most moisture will build up. To get rid of the moisture you will need to drain it using the valves in the machine.

Air compressors need to be maintained properly for them to work at the best level. Checking definite aspects will prolong the life of your machine by diminishing the work load. Clogged filters and incorrect oil levels will cause issues but they can basically be fixed by checking your machine regularly.