Three Tips For Using An Air Compressor
Renting an air compressor can be an excellent way of ensuring that you have access to one of these devices for a home improvement project without needing to invest in buying one. However, if you have limited experience with these tools, it can be very easy for you to be unsure of what you should do when using them. To help you avoid making some performance compromising mistakes, you should keep the following couple of tips in mind when you are using the air compressor.
Drain The Condensation
During the course of being used, an air compressor is likely to generate a substantial amount of condensation. This happens due to compressed air's reduced ability to retain moisture. To prevent this moisture from flooding the air compressor, there is a condensation pan located at the bottom of the unit. However, if you fail to regularly empty this container, it may overflow and flood your compressor. For this reason, you should make sure that you empty this pan before each use of the air compressor, and you will also want to ensure that you are checking on the pan after every few hours of the unit being in continuous operation.
Check All The Hose Connections
An air compressor can generate intense vibrations. Theses vibrations can eventually cause the hoses to the unit to come loose. When this happens, you may find that much of the compressed air is leaking out of the system before it reaches your tool. As a result, you will not only want to check the hoses prior to each use, but you will want to turn on the unit and hold your hand around the connections. This will allow you to easily feel if a leak is present.
Keep The Vents Clean And Clear
An air compressor will struggle to function correctly if it is unable to get enough air to compress. However, it is a reality that dust, dirt and debris can start to gather around the vents. Eventually, these materials can severely inhibit the flow of air through the unit. In addition to causing performance issues, clogged vents can also contribute to wear on the unit by forcing the motor to work harder and get hotter, which can lead it to suffer mechanical failures. For this reason, you will want to thoroughly clean these vents prior to using the unit. Also, you will want to make sure that there is ample clearance around these vents. If you place a container or some other object within a couple of feet of the unit, you may inadvertently reduce the air intake.