Compressor question

jay-eye-see · May 17, 2009

I have been wondering if it is best for my compressor to leave it on when not in use? I use it almost daily but may go a day or two between sometimes. I would guess it runs once or twice every 24 hrs when not in use. Its an big upright Champion and its an old girl but works very well. Thanks for any thoughts...JIC

Paul Janke · May 17, 2009

Starting is what's hardest on it. As such if waiting for it to pump up when needed isn't a problem, it will run for longer when it has bled down more before it is started. Also, the lower the pressure is at startup, I would guess forces on things should be lower, therefore perhaps less wear. Remember, this is just a guess from somebody trying to think it through.

Bob · May 17, 2009

What can POSSIBLY be gained by leaving it "ON" to operate extra cycles?

And, if something ever goes wrong such as a burst hose (if a hose is accidentally left connected and/or the valve is not shut off) the unit will run STEADY getting HOT 'til you show up on the scene to shut it off. Also, it could start and have a compressor problem (such as a broken valve) and run STEADY 'cause the tank never comes up to pressure while unattended.

My late electrician Uncle did lots of grain elevator wiring, and they were always set up with a master disconnect that was pulled at the end of the day shutting off EVERYTHING nonessential except one set of lights with a switch by the door that could be used for re-entry to turn the master disconnect back "ON". I believe this was mandated by the insurance Co's.

ANYHOW, that is how my shop is wired. And, the compressor, being non-essential, goes "OFF" when I pull the switch and leave the building for the night.

Dutchman · May 17, 2009

jay,
I shut mine down evertime I'm done with it ...and know I'll be gone for awhile .... shut the valve off so air doesn't leak out and shut the electrice off...

reason... is if a hose would blow or coulper break to let alot of air go .. it wouldn't be running for alone time ... possible 24 hours or more ... and that wouldn't be good ...

I have had a hose burst while I was away for a few mintues .. and it doesn't take long for the tank to be down where the pump runs all the time... it will NEVER caught up...

That's my 2 cents ... good or bad ...
Mark

MarkB_MI · May 17, 2009

Water is going to build up in the tank. I'd say there's nothing to be gained by leaving it on, other than higher electric bills.

JMOR · May 17, 2009

Had one left on at my country shop by someone else. Hose ruptured. No one back for a week. Autopsy: pump seized first, burned belt off, motor ran till it burned up. Now wired like Bob's, with main disconnect by door.

jay-eye-see · May 17, 2009

You all make very good points, kinda seems like a dumb question now. Thanks for your input, Im gonna shut her off when I leave the garage.

Anonymous-0 · May 17, 2009

shut it off. safety issue. saw a tank from one of those little one horse compressers that a farmer always left on with valve closed so he wouldn't have to wait if he wanted air. freezing weather, moisture in pressure switch. split the bottom of tank and marks on ceiling where it hit when it blew. landed about where his new pickup usually sat. he was in town for parts when it happened.

Steven f/AZ · May 17, 2009

Forgot to flip the switch on mine one time, spent the day out of town, when we came back it was running. The whole tank was too hot to touch for more than a couple seconds. It still works, but I make sure to shut the switch off when I'm not using it - I keep an extra fan blowing on the pump and motor when in use so that reminds me to shut off the compressor.

I also unplug it or flip the breaker when I'm going to be gone for more than a day. Wish I would have known about a master disconnect for my garage before it was built...

xragman · May 17, 2009

I left mine on 1 day when I went in for lunch.Big tank, small compresser. Gone much longer than planed. Switch stuck & didn't turn off.Switch set for 100lbs. off. Tank gage read 220 & compresser was smokeing.I would have had a fire shortly. I then wired in a light by door to remined me to turn it off when I leave shop.

RodinNS · May 17, 2009

I never turn mine off, but I don't really have any leaks on it either. I suppose it might cycle once or twice a day when I'm not around.
It has thrown/broken it's belt a couple times tho... and I've come across the motor spinning away. I'm waiting on one if it's stupid belts right now and using an N14 Cummins to supply air at the moment...

Rod

John B. · May 17, 2009

Put a valve on the tank at the main feed line and turn it off when you leave the shop and you'll be fine.

Crem · May 17, 2009

I have a 240 volt compressor and I built a small box with a two pole 30 amp relay/contactor and a timer. When I turn it on, the timer will always turn it off in an hour and I have to reset it again if I need to use it for a longer period. I have used this set up for years and if anything goes wrong with the compressor while I am away, it will always be turned off within an hour. I used a regular small 24 hour timer and pulled the tabs so that it would only stay on for an hour at a time all the way around the clock. The outlet on the timer supplies 120 volts to the relay coil to activate it so you do need both the 240 and 120 volts available in the box. I drilled a hole through the box so that the manual on/off knob on the timer would stick outside of the box. To start the compressor I just turn the knob to on. and it will time out in an hour. It could set it to longer periods if wanted. I can also turn the knob to manually turn it off if I want to.

504-2 · May 17, 2009

When I was a kid the local body shop owner left his on every night till a hose blew and that 10hp moter burnt up,he still turns it off today. I close the main valve at the tank and shut mine off,there is air in the morring and no worries overnight.

Compressor question

jay-eye-see

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Paul Janke

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Bob

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Dutchman

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MarkB_MI

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JMOR

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jay-eye-see

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Anonymous-0

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Steven f/AZ

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xragman

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RodinNS

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John B.

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Crem

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504-2

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