Many air compressor owners don’t know how to make the best use of their air compressors, which can not maximize the income from their investment. Air compressor is a widely used equipment in daily life and industries.
It can generate compressed air for pneumatic tools, from home garage to industrial plants, from laboratory to hospital, it can be seen in anywhere. So how do I use an air compressor?
How does the air compressor work?
Understanding how to use air compressor correctly can help us better utilize the powerful tools to make our work easier. Air compressor is a widely used equipment in industry which can generate compressed air for pneumatic tools, pneumatic valves, control and lubrication systems of mechanical equipment, etc. Its application range is widespread in petroleum, chemical, metallurgy, electricity, machinery, light industry, textile, automobile manufacturing, electronics, food, medicine, biochemistry, national defense, scientific research and other industries and departments.
Before learning how to use an air compressor with its potential fully utilized, you will want to first understand how does the air compressor work. Most air compressors can be classified into three types according to their working principles: rotary screw air compressors, reciprocating piston air compressors, and centrifugal air compressors. And their working principles are different.
(Learn about principle of compressed air generation)
Rotary screw air compressor: The rotary screw air compressor consists of a pair of parallel female and male screw rotors, when the rotors rotate in the air end, the volume of air between the rotor teeth will be continuously reduced, thus the air is compressed.
Reciprocating piston air compressor: The electric motor drive the crankshaft to rotate, and the crankshaft drives the pistons to make reciprocating motion in the cylinders through the connecting rod, with the cylinder volume changes, the air in the cylinder is pressurized and compressed.
Centrifugal air compressor: The rotating blades or turbine suck air in air end and drive it to rotate at a high speed in the air end, eventually converted the electrical energy into kinetic energy of the air, with the process of the air compressor move forward, the high-speed rotating air continuously gathers in the wall of closed cylinder, then the diffuser with reduces the air flow rate to turn the air kinetic energy into pressure, thus achieves the purpose of air compression.
How to turn on air compressor?
The first step of how do I use an air compressor is knowing how to turn on air compressor properly. Performing a preliminary inspection every time before starting your air compressor can ensure that the air compressor works in its best condition, minimize operating risks, and avoid safety hazards.
Check the oil level: What type of oil to use for air compressor?
Like other machinery, the air compressor also needs lubricating oil to operate normally and get enough cooling. During the compression process, the rotation of the screw rotors in the air end or the reciprocating motion of the piston will generate a lot of friction heat.
If the lubricating oil is insufficient, the heat will keep accumulating and the temperature of the air compressor and exhaust air can rise to more than 110 degrees, which will accelerate the oxidation and aging of the air compressor components.
The ultra-high temperature may also cause the motor to overload alarm, shut down or even lead to an explosion, causing great economic losses and serious safety problems. The oil level indicator on the oil-gas tank can tell how much oil is currently in the air compressor. If the oil level is lower than the lowest oil level scale, it means that the air compressor needs to add oil immediately.
Check the equipment for any leaks and whether the surrounding environment is safe: Before you start operating the air compressor, it is very important to thoroughly inspect the air compressor for signs of corrosion or leaks. Be careful not to overlook any areas on the compressor, hoses, or accessories.
Keep the air compressor away from any surface that could tip over and make sure it is installed on a flat, solid place. Make sure there are no flammable materials or a lot of dust around it. At the meantime, use a safe and standard power cord to power the air compressor. Pay attention to grounding because when using an ungrounded socket, people are more likely to get an electric shock.
Check the drain valve: Checking the valve is another prerequisite to mastering the use of an air compressor. Use an adjustable wrench to tighten it in case it wasn’t fully closed at last time. On most air tanks, you may find the drain valve near the base.
Set the required pressure: Different pneumatic tools require different pressures (in psi or bar). To determine what size air compressor do i need, find the rated pressure that the tool you’re going to use required, and set it to the air compressor. This will complete the safety inspection before starting the air compressor. Remember to wear protective clothing and goggles when use air compressors.
Connect the pneumatic tools to the air compressor. Using the appropriate fittings and ensuring a tight seal to connect the air hose to the compressor, so make sure no air escapes. The hose can be securely fastened with an adjustable wrench. In certain cases, such as when dealing with certain models, it may be necessary to use PTFE tape to seal the threaded end of the hose.
Start the air compressor: Connect the air compressor to the power supply, press the start button, then the machine will start with a buzzing sound, and the air compressor will begin to compress, waiting for the air tank to be pressurized, and observe the larger pressure gauge on the side of the gas tank. Wait for the pointer to stop moving, which means that the compressed air inside has reached the required pressure.
Operate pneumatic tool: Operate your pneumatic tool when there is enough compressed air in the tank. The second smaller gauge near the hose indicates the air pressure in the hose. Once pressurized air enters the exhaust hose, your pneumatic tool is ready to use.
Each time you use the tool, the pressure in the tank will slowly drop, if it drops to the limited level the air compressor will automatically start to reload and produce compressed air to replenish the pressure in the tank.
You do not need to manually adjust the pressure settings unless you’re going to switch to another tool. If the power tool suddenly stops working, check the pressure gauge again.
This usually happens when the smaller tank cannot replenish enough pressure quickly to meet the high air demand. There are two solutions for this, one is to wait a moment for the pressure to recover, and another one is replace current air compressor with a new larger one.
How to turn off air compressor?
The second step of how do I use an air compressor is knowing how to turn off air compressor properly. Press the stop button and the pressure relief valve will open automatically. Wait until the air compressor releases all the compressed air in the tank as well as the pressure inside the air compressor system. Then you can unplug the power supply and completely shut down the air compressor.
Wait for the compressor to cool down and the water in the air will condense inside the air receiver. How to drain air compressor:
- Open the air receiver drain valve to drain the condensed water. The drain valve is located at the bottom of the air receiver.
- Turn the valve counterclockwise to allow the residualpressurized air to blow out the accumulated water.
- Turn the valve clockwise until you can no longer hear the air flow and put the valve back in place. If you cannot twist the valve by hand, try using pliers.
- To keep the compressor running properly, drain the condensed water in the air receiver after each use.
Remove the exhaust hose and store the air compressor appropriately. Unplug the compressor from the wall and remove the exhaust hose. Store the compressor and exhaust hose in a clean, dry, and temperature-controlled area.
How do I use an air compressor?
Maintenance is the foundation of any machinery long-term high-efficiency service life. For optimal performance, air compressors also need routine cleaning and maintenance. Changing the oil is as simple as pulling out the plug with a socket wrench and injecting new oil into the compressor through a funnel.
If you want your air compressor to work better, you should clean the air filter regularly. In order to keep the compressor in good working condition and extend its life, it is also very important to regularly drain the condensate water in the air tank.
In summary, how do I use an air compressor correctly will include:
- Check the oil level regularlyto ensure the air compressor has enough lubricant.
- Check pipelines, connections, and fittings for leaks or wear.
- Clean or replace the air filtersas needed.
- The air compressor must be started under no-load condition, and after it operates normally, it can then be gradually put into load operation.
- Let air compressor release its internal pressure after turn the machine off.
- Drain any condensate water from the tank every time after use.
- Then place the air compressor in a clean, dry environment when not in use.
Warnings: there are some matters need attention while using air compressor.
- Avoid using extension cords as they can pose a fire riskand cause compressor overheating. Instead, use additional hoses for extended reach when necessary.
- Prior to usage, always check the pressure guidelines specified for each tool. Never exceed the recommended pressure limit to prevent damage or accidents.
- The air compressor should be parked away from gasoline, gas, paint and flammable materials, as well as dustenvironment.
- Always keep the outside of the air compressor clean. Do not perform welding or hot work near the air compressor.
- Don’t allow cords or hoses to be exposed in floors, aisles or low-hanging areas. This could cause a trip hazard or injury if a hose whips.
- Never apply compressed air to your skin or directly at another person. Even air pressure as low as 15 PSI can cause serious injury.
- Do not use air directly from a compressor for breathing purposes unless the system has been designed specifically for breathing air.
FAQ
How to use air compressor for tires?
- Check tire pressure and condition: Use a tire pressure gauge to determine the current pressure of the tire. Refer to the vehicle manual or the label on the door frame for the recommended pressure. Check the tire’s appearance for any damage that could cause a leak. Avoid inflating a damaged tire.
- Remove the valve cap: Unscrew the valve cap from the tire valve stem. Store it in a safe place in casemissing it.
- Connect the air hose: Connect the compressor to the tire’s valve through a hose of the appropriate diameterand make sure the connection is secure and sealed to prevent air
- Inflate the tire: Turn on the air compressor. Keep an eye onthe tire pressure gauge and inflate the tire to the recommended pressure. Be careful not to over-inflate.
- Check the pressure: Once the tire is inflated to the correct pressure level, turn off the compressor and disconnect the hose. Check the pressure again withpressure gauge and adjust if necessary.
- Replace the valve cap: Screw the valve cap back onto the valve stem to keep out dust and maintain the pressure.
- Repeat for all tires: Perform the same steps for each tire that needs to be inflated, including the spare tire.
What is the best household air compressor?
Rotary screw air compressors. To be precise, they are portable air compressors, which are usually rotary screw air compressors. Because of it structural characteristics, it can not only be relatively compact but also able to provide enough compressed air and pressure to supply most pneumatic tools, such as nail gun, air ratchet wrench, air hammer, impact wrench, air stapler, air sander, spray gun, sandblaster. Powerful enough for home use and DIY’er.
Why is my air compressor making noise?
Because of the frequent mechanical friction between the compressor components and the high flow velocity of compressed air, it is normal to hear some noise. However, if the noise is too loud or there are unusual sounds, there may be insufficient lubricant or air leakage.
Can I adjust the psi while the air compressor is running?
For your safety, it is better to adjust the psi when the compressor is off to avoid sudden changes in pressure that may cause safety accidents.
How often should I drain the air receiver?
It is recommended to drain the air receiver every time after use of the air compressor to prevent corrosion.
What size air compressor do I need?
To size the suitable air you need to determine the psi(pressure), scfm versus cfm(air flow), and the duty cycle(how often you will use your air compressor), after these three variate are determined, you can size the right air compressor.
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