basic air compressor service, top ten commly asked questions about air compressors, how to service your air compressor

www.hkaircompressors.com

214-428-2868

This blog post is going to hopefully answer some of the basic questions about air compressors and air compressor service.  Each compressor is different so you should always consult the manufacturer of your compressor brand should you need expert advice.  Having said that, here are the most common asked questions.

1. How often should you service your compressor?

PISTON COMPRESSOR

The process and regularity of compressor service and maintenance depends on the machine. For example, a compressor using petroleum-based oil (piston/ reciprocating compressor) needs an oil-change every 500 hours of service. A good oil for these machines is a high grade teresstic ISO 100 oil...30 weight oil.

Now, if you do the math...you run your compressor 8 hours per day X 5 days= 40 hours.  At that rate, you would probably need to change your oil out ever 3 months.  Depending on the environment inside your facility, you might need to change out the air filter too.



1B. Do all piston compressors take the same air filter?

ANSWER:  NO..There are hundreds of different brands and probably hundreds of different air filter manufacturers.  But, many of the big brands do share the same air filter sizes and dimensions.

2. How often should you service a rotary screw air compressor?

Answer: You should definitely check with the manufacturer.  Your compressor may require food grade oil or it might require synthetic oil. Typically, most rotary screw air compressors require service every 2,000 hours/ every 4,000 hours and every 8,000 hours.  They require different types of service at these milestones.  Some rotary screw compressors require that you change out the air filter and oil filter every 2,000 hours while other manufactures suggest that you also change out the oil every 2,000 hours.  You may need to change out the separator every 4,000 hours and just change out the oil every 8,000 hours.  Each manufacturer has their own requirements and typically the suggested routine maintenance stickers can be found just inside the cabinet door.  A good rule of thumb is to follow these suggested routine service in-order to keep your warranty on the compressor.

rotary screw oil

So, you ask yourself, why is it so important.  Oil is oil and it's cheap!  I can afford to change out the synthetic rotary oil every time the service light comes on.  Well...Rotary screw oil is NOT CHEAP!!!!!!!

Rotary screw machines can take anywhere from 4 to 50 gallons of oil depending on the size and horsepower of your machine.  The typical cost of OEM rotary screw 5 gallon pail of oil can vary.  

Ingersoll Rand: $500+

Atlas Copco:      $450+

Kaeser:               $500+

Quincy:              $500+

Curtis:               $425+

Champion         $450+

rotary screw oil

Of course, you can always shop around and buy some generic oil off the internet and save your company some money, but when it completely destroys your machine, you may be asked to hand in your two resignation.  Also, by putting some generic oil into your machine, you will probably void out the warranty.  When you destroy the air end on your rotary screw, be prepared to fork over thousands and thousands of dollars. 

FYI: We visited a plant in 2019 just outside Dallas, Texas.  They had a two year old Quincy 250HP rotary screw worth around $120,000-$180,000 dollars.  They let some small outfit service their machine with some generic oil and it FLASHED!!!!!!!  Nothing we could do to help them here.  The compressor was toast.....

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3. Do air compressors work in the cold?

Answer: YES and no.

Air compressor oil tends to become thicker when ambient temperatures are cold, thus reducing its lubrication capabilities. ... Because of this moisture, cold ambient temperatures can lead to freezing up of these lines within the compressor.  To avoid this from happening, you might consider leaving the compressor on all night and crack an air line inside the building.  Or you might try insulating the machine; perhaps build a small building to keep the compressor from freezing.  Rest assured, once the weather warms up, and gets well above freezing, your compressor should work.

_{^{4. Will my air dryer work at when at 32 degrees and below?}}

_{^{Answer: NO.}}

_{^{If the weather dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit; you might as well turn off your air dryer.}}  

5. Can I use regular motor oil in my air compressor?

Answer.  NO... NO...

The manufacturer usually recommends a non-detergent 20-weight or 30-weight compressor oil. A synthetic or standard blend can work on an air compressor if the manufacturer advises you to use it

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6. How does an air compressor work?

Answer:

An air compressor is a device that converts power (using an electric motor, diesel or gasoline engine, etc.) into potential energy stored in pressurized air tank.  Similar to a car, a crankcase turns, pushing pistons up and down.  The valves oven and close.  The low pressure piston essentially forces the compressed air over to the high pressure piston.  The high pressure piston essentially squeezes the air into the storage tank.

7. Do all air compressors need oil?

Answer.  Yes and no.

For maximum efficiency, a piston chamber needs adequate lubrication, for which oil is used. These are oil air compressors. Oilless compressors do not need oil.

8. Which brands are the best air compressors to buy for an automotive shop?

Answer: Definitely not these ones!!!!!!!!

·         PORTER-CABLE 

·         Hitachi 

·         Bostitch 

·         PORTER-CABLE 

·         Campbell Hausfeld 

·         DEWALT 

·         California Air Tools

Craftsman

Husky 

The compressors listed above are for blowing up tires, blowing the dirt and dust out of gutters and garage floors and for small pneumatic tools.  A perfect Christmas present for your husband or dad who likes tinkering in his garage.  These compressors are NOT heavy duty industrial compressors.  They don't have the PSI or the CFM to operate a manufacturing facility or an automotive shop.

Model	HP	Part No.	Pump		Voltage	CFM
ML5	5	FML05D96BXS-A2L1XX	D96		1/60/230V	19.1
ML5	5	FML05D96BXS-A9L1XX	D96		3/60/200-208V	19.1
ML5	5	FML05D96BXS-A3L1XX	D96		3/60/230V	19.1
ML5	5	FML05D96BXS-A4L1XX	D96		3/60/460V	19.1
ML7.5	7.5	FML07C79BXS-A2L1XX	C79		1/60/230V	28.7
ML7.5	7.5	FML07C79BXS-A9L1XX	C79		3/60/200-208V	28.7
ML7.5	7.5	FML07C79BXS-A3L1XX	C79		3/60/230V	28.7
ML7.5	7.5	FML07C79BXS-A4L1XX	C79		3/60/460V	28.7
ML10	10	FML10D97BXS-A9L1XX	D97		3/60/200-208V	39.8
ML10	10	FML10D97BXS-A3L1XX	D97		3/60/230V	39.8
ML10	10	FML10D97BXS-A4L1XX	D97		3/60/460V	39.8
ML15	15	FML15D97BXS-A9L1XX	D97		3/60/200-208V	49.5
ML15	15	FML15D97BXS-A3L1XX	D97		3/60/230V	49.5
ML15	15	FML15D97BXS-A4L1XX	D97		3/60/460V	49.5
ML15+	15	FML15C89BXS-A9L1XX	C89		3/60/200-208V	55.8
ML15+	15	FML15C89BXS-A3L1XX	C89		3/60/230V	55.8
ML15+	15	FML15C89BXS-A4L1XX	C89		3/60/460V	55.8
ML20+	20	FML20C98BXS-A9L1XX	C98		3/60/200-208V	79.3
ML20+	20	FML20C98BXS-A3L1XX	C98		3/60/230V	79.3
ML20+	20	FML20C98BXS-A4L1XX	C98		3/60/460V	79.3
ML25	25	FML25C98BXS-A9L1XX	C98		3/60/200-208V	82.4
ML25	25	FML25C98BXS-A3L1XX	C98		3/60/230V	82.4
ML25	25	FML25C98BXS-A4L1XX	C98		3/60/460V	82.4
ML30	30	FML30C98BXS-A9L1XX	C98		3/60/200-208V	102.2
ML30	30	FML30C98BXS-A3L1XX	C98		3/60/230V	102.2
ML30	30	FML30C98BXS-A4L1XX	C98		3/60/460V	102.2

BEST ROTARY SCREW COMPRESSORS:

Model	HP	VOLT	PSI	CFM	Part Number
NxB30	40	230	100	196	FNB30DXX3HXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXX4HXXX
NxB30	40	230	125	173	FNB30DXX3JXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXX4JXXX
NxB30	40	230	150	163	FNB30DXX3KXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXX4KXXX
NxB30	40	230	175	149	FNB30DXX3LXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXX4LXXX
NxB37	50	230	100	234	FNB37DXX3HXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXX4HXXX
NxB37	50	230	125	203	FNB37DXX3JXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXX4JXXX
NxB37	50	230	150	193	FNB37DXX3KXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXX4KXXX
NxB37	50	230	175	180	FNB37DXX3LXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXX4LXXX
NxB30	40	230	100	196	FNB30DXD3HXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXD4HXXX
NxB30	40	230	125	173	FNB30DXD3JXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXD4JXXX
NxB30	40	230	150	163	FNB30DXD3KXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30DXD4KXXX
NxB30	40	230	175	149	FNB30DXD3LXXX
NxB30	40	460			FNB30EXD4LXXX
NxB37	50	230	100	234	FNB37DXD3HXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXD4HXXX
NxB37	50	230	125	203	FNB37DXD3JXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXD4JXXX
NxB37	50	230	150	193	FNB37DXD3KXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXD4KXXX
NxB37	50	230	175	180	FNB37DXD3LXXX
NxB37	50	460			FNB37DXD4LXXX

9. What weight oil should I use in my air compressor?

Answer: 

​Typically, compressor manufacturers will recommend a 20 weight or 30 weight (non-detergent) compressor oil. 

10. How do you change the oil in a piston compressor? Turn the unit off.

Answer.

1.   Turn the power off at the fuse box and lock it out so no one can turn the power back on.

2.   Cover the unit in case of spillage.

3.   Open the drain valve with an open end wrench.

4.   Open the oil intake valve.

5.   Insert a funnel so the oil can drain into a bucket.

6.   Drain the oil.

7.   Pour the oil into the compressor making sure that you keep your eye on the sight glass located on the pump.  There is a line in the glass.  Make sure that you don’t overfill and definitely don’t under fill. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST LARGE INDUSTRIAL SCREW COMPESSORS?

BRAND	SERIES	HP	VOLT	PSI	CFM		Part Number
CURTIS	NX SERIES	125	460	100	554		FRD85FUXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	125	460	125	522		FRD85FUXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	125	460	150	465		FRD85FUXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	150	460	100	731		FRD90FUXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	150	460	125	723		FRD90FUXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	150	460	150	544		FRD90FUXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	200	460	100	930		FRD92MUXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	200	460	125	860		FRD92MUXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	200	460	150	770		FRD92MUXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	250	460	100	1218		FRD93MUXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	250	460	125	1050		FRD93MUXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	250	460	150	970		FRD93MUXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	300	460	100	1360		FRD94MUXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	300	460	125	1350		FRD94MUXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	300	460	150	1050		FRD94MUXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	125	460	100	554		FRD85FEXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	125	460	125	522		FRD85FEXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	125	460	150	465		FRD85FEXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	150	460	100	731		FRD90FEXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	150	460	125	723		FRD90FEXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	150	460	150	544		FRD90FEXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	200	460	100	930		FRD92MEXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	200	460	125	860		FRD92MEXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	200	460	150	770		FRD92MEXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	250	460	100	1218		FRD93MEXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	250	460	125	1050		FRD93MEXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	250	460	150	970		FRD93MEXXB4K1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	300	460	100	1360		FRD94MEXXB4H1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	300	460	125	1350		FRD94MEXXB4J1XXXX
CURTIS	NX SERIES	300	460	150	1050		FRD94MEXXB4K1XXXX

·         Rotary Screw Compressors

·         Rotary screw air compressors provide 100% of continuous duty cycle from 5hp to 350hp. The robust compressors from Curtis are a true icon in the compressor industry, known for their longevity and superb warranties. They are also the most energy efficient in the industry. They offer the widest array of compatible control systems to meet the customer’s demand needs.

www.hkaircompressors.com

214-428-2868

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