Keep Your Compressor Up and Running This Summer With Service and Maintenance
Summer is here and with this time of year comes the Australian heat. During the peak of Australian summer in January, some areas reach up to 50°C. As peak summer heat is considerably dangerous for the human body, the same goes for air compressors.
If high ambient heat is not managed properly, there can be severe repercussions to the air compressor. This could lead to high production loss and downtime. Your air compressor also becomes less efficient and results in high power cost.
Here are essential tips from our service technician experts to maintain the compressed air system in the summer season
The most important activity which is recommended during any season is the daily inspection of compressors. This includes checking the oil level, air filter leakages and noise. Inspection is then followed by the close monitoring of the compressor parameters from the controller/Elektronikon.
SMARTLink can help to record these parameters. SMARTLink also helps you understand the performance of the machine and take necessary preventive action accordingly.
- Clean Cooler - Blocked or clogged coolers can cause an air compressor to overheat on hot summer days. Hence, ensure coolers are cleaned properly before the peak hits the compressors.
- Check Drains - Higher humidity in the summer causes more condensate to come out of the drains. Be sure the drains are in perfect working order so they can handle the extra flows.
- Check Air and Oil Filters - Dirty filters lead to pressure drops, but clean filters will reduce energy consumption. Make sure to clean or replace compressor air and oil filters.
- Check Compressor Oil - High ambient heat can decrease oil life expectancy. Using genuine oil & oil filter and following the recommended oil change intervals will ensure that your compressor runs cool.
- Check Ventilation - Proper ventilation of the air compressor room is important. As it routes hot air out of the compressor room using ducts and vents.
- Adjust Water Cooling Systems - With water-cooled compressors, adjust the temperature and flow of water entering the compressor. This will ensure the compressor is cool enough for summer conditions.
What Causes Your Compressor to Overheat?
1. Using Non-Genuine Service Parts
One of the main reasons for a compressor to overheat is the use of non-genuine parts.
2. Lack of Maintenance
If your compressor doesn't undergo regular maintenance, then your compressor may overheat due to dirty or broken filters, pipe blockages or blocked interior components.
3. Age of Compressor
An older compressor, or a compressor that undergoes extreme use, is more likely to experience overheating.
4. Inadequate Ventilation
The compressor system must be able to cool itself down, if there isn't proper ventilation available in the compressor room, overheating could be a result.
5. High Ambient Room Temperature
Summer months make ambient conditions hot. The warmer the weather is outside, the more likely your compressor room will be warmer. If the compressor room becomes too hot, so does your compressor.
How to Deal with Compressor Overheating?
Prevention is the key! Instead of focusing on cooling down an already overheated compressor, it is ideal to find ways to prevent the compressor from overheating.
Here are four key ways to achieve this:
- Choose Genuine Parts - Think of the human body and our vital organs. When our organs are in good shape, we are fit and healthy. However, if one organ fails, our life may be in risk. Each compressor component is vital for its overall performance. It will give you the reliability, long lifetime and energy efficiency you expect. Original parts may seem pricey, but in the long run, they provide a cost efficient solution. That's why every part and lubricant is expertly designed, manufactured and tested according to the most stringent standards. Learn the difference between genuine and non-genuine spare parts.
- Improve Internal and External Ventilation - Check on your compressor's vents and ensure they are clean. Ensure they are also sized appropriately to the demands of the machine. You should also ensure that the compressor is sufficiently ventilated. If it is not, look into relocating your compressor into a space that is more suitable.
- Inspect Oil and Lubrication Levels - It is essential to check the lubrication and oil 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 in preventing overheating is to have routine maintenance performed on your compressor. The types of routine maintenance are preventive maintenance and fixed price maintenance.
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