When a heatwave hits, you’ve got to make sure to look after yourself, keeping hydrated, and avoid too much time in direct sunlight. While you prepare yourself for summer make sure you also prepare your air compressor to ensure it doesn’t overheat. The earlier you start preparations the better, nothing is worse than your air compressor overheating and production being disrupted.
Five Tips for Preparing a Compressor for Summer
During the hottest weeks of the year it’s not only humans that feel the impact! While overheating is a relatively common issue that affects air compressors, the occasional extreme heat experienced during summer could cause problems in your compressed air system – or intensify already-existing issues.
With summer here and temperatures and humidity higher than usual, your compressed air system will experience an additional water load on your air handling equipment. There is 650% more water in the air at the highest compressor operating conditions in the summer (45° C) compared to the lower temperatures more frequently seen (15° C). That's why it's critical to prepare your compressors for some of the most challenging conditions they will face throughout the year!
Is My Air Compressor Overheating?
When your compressor begins acting unusual, it’s wise to start investigating the concerns early on; quickly identifying the problems will prevent unnecessary downtime or future production loss, given that any necessary maintenance or repairs are completed.
What are the common signs of compressor overheating?
Compressor Won’t Start. If your compressor stalls during startup – or worse, won’t stop at all – overheating could be the root cause. Other related signs are:
- The compressor requiring longer rest periods between cycles.
- The compressor being much slower in reaching peak operation.
- Compressor Is Creaking. Hearing creaking and crackling noises. from your compressor.
- Smelling burnt oil. That could be a sign that the compressor’s internal components aren’t adequately lubricated. Since lubrication serves as a coolant, little to no lubricant = the potential to overheat.
What causes your compressor to overheat?
Here are a couple of quick & easy steps you can take to make sure your compressed air system is ready for summer.
1. Clean Air and Oil Filters - Your vehicle gets better gas mileage when it has clean filters and the same goes for your air compressor; a compressor runs cooler and uses less energy when the air filters are clean. Dirty and clogged filters can cause pressure drops, causing the compressor to operate at higher levels to accommodate demand. Filter performance can also be affected by additional humidity, so it is important to follow regular maintenance schedules and add additional checks for seasonal changes.
2. Check Ventilation - We all breathe a little easier with increased airflow and so do our machines. Just as air and oil filters require special attention in the summer, it is important to check the compressor room and adjust ventilation and air flow as necessary. This is also a good opportunity to check for pollen and other air pollutants that are most prevalent in the spring months, to make sure the ventilation is clean and clear before the summer heat hits.
3. Check the drains - Higher humidity in the summer causes more condensate to drain from the drains. Make sure the drains are clear and working so they can handle the increased flow. Because the condensate sometimes mixes with the compressor oil, the water must be treated before it is released directly into the drain. Check treatment unit filters and separation tanks to ensure they continue to operate.
4. Clean Refrigerators - Imagine you are running in the summer heat with a sweater on; It will impact how you sweat and how your body regulates its temperature. The same goes for your air compressor. Blocked or clogged refrigerators can cause an air compressor to overheat on hot summer days. Get ahead of this before it becomes a problem by making sure the coolers are clean before the heat hits.
5. Adjust Water Cooling Systems - For water-cooled compressors, adjust the temperature of the water entering the system to compensate for the rise in ambient temperature and to ensure it is suitable for summer conditions.
Taking a few extra steps to make sure your compressors are summer ready means you will be rewarded by them working hard for your process.
How Can I Prevent My Air Compressor from Overheating?
Prevention is key! Instead of focusing on ways to cool down an overheated compressor, it is better to prevent overheating from happening at all. Three key ways to achieve this are:
Choose genuine parts
Think of the human body with its vital organs. If these are in good shape, we are healthy and fit. If one organ fails however, our very life may be at risk.
Each component of your compressor is vital for its overall performance, giving you the reliability, long lifetime and energy efficiency you expect.
While original parts may seem pricey at first, but in the long run, they will prove to be more cost effective and give you complete peace of mind.
That’s why every part and lubricant is expertly designed, manufactured and tested according to the most stringent standards. That’s why using non-genuine replacement parts puts your entire air system at risk.
Check how to know the difference between genuine and non genuine spare parts.
Improve Internal and External Ventilation
Check on your compressor’s vents and ensure that they are not only clean, but are sized appropriately to the demands of the machine. You should also ensure that the compressor room is sufficiently ventilated – if it’s not, look into relocating your compressor into a space that is more suitable. Note: these checks should occur on a regular basis!
Inspect Oil and Lubrication Levels
As stated above, lubrication acts as a coolant, so monitor the oil and lubricant levels in your compressor often. Additionally, if the oil is thin or appears watery, the heat level could already be too high.
Routine Maintenance
The simplest action to take to prevent overheating is to have routine maintenance performed on your compressor!
Know the types of Routine maintenance:
