tmassey
Contributor
With all of my efforts on my compressor today, I've been giving some thought to the best way of running a compressor. I would apprecaite any suggestions.
I've got a few questions, so I'll start separate threads for each. This one is abut starting, stopping and running a compressor. I also have questions about oil changes, as well as replacing the compressor filter stacks.
A bit about my compressor: 6CFM Poseidon PFU-150. It's a 5HP, 3-stage compressor with a block made by Bauer. It doesn't have an oil pressure gauge, so I assume it's splash-lubricated. It's got a single two-part moisture separator, plus a moisture drain in the filter stack on the back of the compressor. It's supposed to have auto drains, but it leaked pressure so I've removed it and simply use three needle valves with tubes to drain the water. Past the compressor I have a fill board with a large single-part gold Bauer separator (which is always bone-dry, of course) and another 32" filter stack, then the back pressure regulator (set to 2000 PSI) and out to my tanks.
My current startup process is this: I have a checklist that I follow before I start the compressor. It includes checking that everything is properly connected, that all the valves are either open or closed as needed, and checking the oil level (and other things like make sure I'm wearing ear protection, etc.).
I then close the valve right at the output of the compressor and turn the compressor on. This is to allow it to build up some pressure as quickly as possible. I've noticed that the compressor rattles a bit when it first starts, and I believe this has to do with the compressor needing pressure to get everything into proper position. This shortens the rattle to about one second. (Am I being paranoid here? Or am I misunderstanding something?) I then crack the valve until the pressure builds up downstream enough (500 PSI or so), which takes less than a minute, and then open it fully.
While running, I manually drain the compressor every 8 to 10 minutes. There are three valves I manually crack, and I can see what's coming out in the clear tubes attached to them. I usually only have them cracked for 2-3 or so seconds: usually the water only takes 1-2 seconds to clear, and an extra second to make sure.
For shutdown, I tend to start the process by performing a drain, but I leave the drain valves cracked slightly. Not enough to drain the pressure quickly, just enough for the pressure to slowly drop. The purpose of this is to try to flush out as much moisture as possible, and to give the compressor a chance to run at a lower (and hopefully cooler) pressure for a bit.
I'll usually let it run like that for 5 or so minutes. Usually, the pressure doesn't drop below 2000 PSI during this time. I then stop the compressor.
One thing I've noticed is that when I start my compressor the next time, I tend to open the drains very early -- likely while I'm waiting for pressure to build up before I fully open the valve. During that drain, a fair amount of water comes out, and the compressor hasn't been running long enough to generate that water. So that's there from before.
So, here are my questions:
1) Any thoughts about my process? Is there something I'm missing? Or something that I'm doing that's unnecessary (like building up the pressure)?
2) What can I do to get the moisture out of the compressor when I'm done, so I don't have a bunch in there when I start it the next time? That can't be good...
3) Is there anything else I should be doing to minimize the wear and tear on my compressor? I have read recommendations that you should run it at *least* once a month, and more frequent is better, and that you should run it for at least an hour to drive as much moisture out of the oil as possible. Do you have a better recommendation?
I only run my compressor less than 20 or so hours per *year*, so managing the running of my compressor is something that I have to be very deliberate about. As you can see from my usage, I *really* should not have this compressor, but I do have it, and I really like the convenience, so I'm trying to do what I can to maximize its life.
And if you're in the area and want a deal on gas fills, get in touch! I've got air, nitrox, O2, you name it!
Thank you very much for your help! I appreciate it.
I've got a few questions, so I'll start separate threads for each. This one is abut starting, stopping and running a compressor. I also have questions about oil changes, as well as replacing the compressor filter stacks.
A bit about my compressor: 6CFM Poseidon PFU-150. It's a 5HP, 3-stage compressor with a block made by Bauer. It doesn't have an oil pressure gauge, so I assume it's splash-lubricated. It's got a single two-part moisture separator, plus a moisture drain in the filter stack on the back of the compressor. It's supposed to have auto drains, but it leaked pressure so I've removed it and simply use three needle valves with tubes to drain the water. Past the compressor I have a fill board with a large single-part gold Bauer separator (which is always bone-dry, of course) and another 32" filter stack, then the back pressure regulator (set to 2000 PSI) and out to my tanks.
My current startup process is this: I have a checklist that I follow before I start the compressor. It includes checking that everything is properly connected, that all the valves are either open or closed as needed, and checking the oil level (and other things like make sure I'm wearing ear protection, etc.).
I then close the valve right at the output of the compressor and turn the compressor on. This is to allow it to build up some pressure as quickly as possible. I've noticed that the compressor rattles a bit when it first starts, and I believe this has to do with the compressor needing pressure to get everything into proper position. This shortens the rattle to about one second. (Am I being paranoid here? Or am I misunderstanding something?) I then crack the valve until the pressure builds up downstream enough (500 PSI or so), which takes less than a minute, and then open it fully.
While running, I manually drain the compressor every 8 to 10 minutes. There are three valves I manually crack, and I can see what's coming out in the clear tubes attached to them. I usually only have them cracked for 2-3 or so seconds: usually the water only takes 1-2 seconds to clear, and an extra second to make sure.
For shutdown, I tend to start the process by performing a drain, but I leave the drain valves cracked slightly. Not enough to drain the pressure quickly, just enough for the pressure to slowly drop. The purpose of this is to try to flush out as much moisture as possible, and to give the compressor a chance to run at a lower (and hopefully cooler) pressure for a bit.
I'll usually let it run like that for 5 or so minutes. Usually, the pressure doesn't drop below 2000 PSI during this time. I then stop the compressor.
One thing I've noticed is that when I start my compressor the next time, I tend to open the drains very early -- likely while I'm waiting for pressure to build up before I fully open the valve. During that drain, a fair amount of water comes out, and the compressor hasn't been running long enough to generate that water. So that's there from before.
So, here are my questions:
1) Any thoughts about my process? Is there something I'm missing? Or something that I'm doing that's unnecessary (like building up the pressure)?
2) What can I do to get the moisture out of the compressor when I'm done, so I don't have a bunch in there when I start it the next time? That can't be good...
3) Is there anything else I should be doing to minimize the wear and tear on my compressor? I have read recommendations that you should run it at *least* once a month, and more frequent is better, and that you should run it for at least an hour to drive as much moisture out of the oil as possible. Do you have a better recommendation?
I only run my compressor less than 20 or so hours per *year*, so managing the running of my compressor is something that I have to be very deliberate about. As you can see from my usage, I *really* should not have this compressor, but I do have it, and I really like the convenience, so I'm trying to do what I can to maximize its life.
And if you're in the area and want a deal on gas fills, get in touch! I've got air, nitrox, O2, you name it!
Thank you very much for your help! I appreciate it.