Air compressors are an essential part of any workshop or garage. They provide the power to run tools that need compressed air, and they’re also used in vehicles for things like powering brakes and inflatable tires.
A faster air compressor speeds up work and reduces downtime, which leads to better productivity.
But what if your air compressor is too slow? It’s no surprise that as time goes on, things become less efficient and performance starts deteriorating. The same thing happens with your air compressor.
The efficiency of your air compressor will eventually reduce over time. This is because of the accumulation of dirt on its parts. To make your air compressor work better, you must clean its parts first.
If you are looking for ways on how to make an air compressor run faster, keep on reading. We have outlined some tips and tricks that you can use to make your air compressor work faster. So, without further ado, let’s get started.
How to Make Air Compressor Faster – ultimate guide
Step 1: Make Sure The Intake Air Is Not Overheated
The intake filter is the most important component in your air compressor. It’s vital to have a high-quality one to reduce maintenance costs and avoid excessive energy consumption.
One thing you have to understand is that the faster a compressor runs, the hotter it will get. A hot air compressor can cause problems with efficiency, so it’s important to keep its intake air cool.
Why it’s so important to keep the temperature of the intake air low?
If the intake air is too hot, it can impair compressor performance and cost more to maintain. So it would be best if you kept the temperature of the intake low.
When the intake air is cooler, the compressor will require less energy to compress the air. Cooler intake air can also increase your productivity by up to 40%.
Step 2: Before using, clean the air off
The best way to make an air compressor run faster is by cleaning any impurities off the air before it enters it. This will ensure that the compressor works better and lasts longer.
Why should you clean your air compressor?
You have to understand that there are a lot of debris, dust, and other impurities in the air surrounding your work area. These contaminants get sucked into your compressor when they’re running. So you have to clean the air before using it.
When you get a chance, clean the filter so that these contaminants will not build up over time. Clean it at least once every two weeks, but clean it more often if possible. This simple action can make a tremendous difference in compressor efficiency.
Step 3: Prevent Pressure Drops
The efficiency of any compressor is based on pressure and volume after the system and before it (pressure drop).
Air compressors use an air motor to drive the diaphragm, and due to this, there will be some pressure drop in the pipeline. So you should check your air compressor regularly to prevent pressure drop as much as you can.
A common mistake is to let the discharge pressure get too low. When this happens, the air compressor’s pump will be overloaded and experience more wear and tear.
Why should you prevent pressure drops?
It’s important to prevent pressure drop in your air compressor because it will affect its overall performance and efficiency. When there’s a significant pressure drop, the compressor may have to work harder to produce air.
So if you want your machine to run faster, you should prevent pressure drop at all costs. The best way to do this is by checking your air compressor regularly and maintaining or replacing damaged components as soon as possible.
Step 4: Use small size air compressor
One common mistake that people make when trying to make their air compressor faster is using a bigger compressor than what they need.
For example, you do not need 5 CFM if you are only doing some light work in your house. That’s why it’s important to find the right size compressor for your specific needs.
Why should you choose a small air compressor?
Many benefits come from using a smaller, more compact unit than its larger counterparts. For example, most portable compressors use between ¾ HP and 5 HP motors, whereas stationary models usually have bigger motors.
Another thing is that smaller compressors use less power. If you choose a system with lower horsepower, the motor will consume less electrical energy, which means it’ll cost less to operate. Smaller compressors tend to be lighter as well, so you can carry them around easily if necessary.
Maintain Piston Cylinder
To keep your air compressor running at its best, you have to maintain it regularly. You can serve it by checking and replacing parts if they are worn.
The most important part of the air compressor is the piston-cylinder assembly. The piston and cylinder will be the first to wear out most of the time.
You can check them by removing the crankshaft or connecting rod. If there is a visible gap between the two parts, they need to be replaced.
When there is too much dirt on the piston-cylinder assembly, it will cause the speed of the air compressor to slow down. Here are some tips on making your compressor work faster by cleaning off the dirt.
Use compressed air to blow away the dirt clogging up your piston cylinder. This will ensure that all parts are clean and that no dirt will cause your air compressor to slow down.
Remove the piston and cylinder from the crankcase of the air compressor. Put a clean cloth over the piston and cylinder. This will absorb dirt that may still be on these parts.
While holding the crankcase, apply a cleaning agent to the piston and cylinder. Be sure to apply the cleaning agent evenly to avoid having excess chemicals in one place.
Wait for about 15 minutes before you remove the cloth to see if there’s any dirt that the cleaning agent didn’t absorb. Wipe away excess chemicals with a clean rag or cloth.
Repeat the cleaning process until there is no more dirt on the piston-cylinder assembly parts. Let air dry before putting everything back together.
To prevent dirt from accumulating on your compressor parts, lubricate them regularly to reduce friction. This will also help keep the piston and cylinder assembly in top condition.
Don’t forget to replace worn-out or broken parts of the air compressor to ensure its optimal performance. When dirt accumulates on the piston and cylinder assembly, it will cause your air compressor to slow down.
You can easily avoid this by regularly maintaining and servicing your air compressor. With the right maintenance and servicing, your air compressor will work faster and smoother, giving you better productivity.
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Special Tips for making an air compressor faster
Here are the my favorite tips to an air compressor faster.
Use a shorter air hose
To understand this important tip that will help you make your air compressor faster, you have to know how much pressure drop occurs when a long hose length is used.
Note: If you see any leakage in your hose then checkout our article about Easy way to fix air compressor leaky hose.
The longer the pipe runs between the inlet and outlet ports, the more flow resistance there will be due to friction in the metal. If you use a short tube, then the resistance will be smaller.
Why should you use a shorter air hose length?
Let’s say that you’re running an air compressor on a big job site where you have to hook it up to a long distance. The pressure loss in the pipeline may affect the overall performance of your compressor, which is why using short hoses remains crucial. Keep in mind that the shorter hose you use, the less pressure loss it will have.
If you want your compressor to run faster, you should use short hoses. This way, the pressure will remain high in the line and won’t cause any problems for your machine.
Lubricate your air compressor on a regular basis
Lubricating your air compressor regularly is extremely important if you want to make it faster. When you fail to do this, friction will increase dramatically, which affects the compressor’s performance.
You can tell that there’s something wrong with the unit when it starts to make some noise.
You can prevent this if you lubricate your unit at least once every three months. There are several ways to do it but remember you should use quality oil for this task.
How often should you lubricate your air compressor?
Ideally, it is best if you lubricate your air compressor every three months. The system may seize up or even break due to increasing friction and other issues if you do not. Remember that regular maintenance is important if you want to make your air compressor faster.
What is the best oil to lubricate a compressor?
The best oil for your air compressor is synthetic oil because it provides better lubrication and cooler internal temperatures. Also, make sure that the oil is free of impurities so that they do not clog up vital parts of the system.
Check for Oil Leaks Frequently
Oil leaks are a common problem that may occur with air compressors. The oil is responsible for lubricating the system, so if it seeps out, it can cause damage and affect your compressor’s performance. To make it faster, you need to immediately fix any leaks after noticing them.
Why should you check for oil leaks?
When a compressor has too much lubricant, pressure loss and other issues will result. You have to know that if there’s too much lubricant in a compressor, it will leak. That’s why you need to check your compressor regularly for any signs of leakage.
This is very important because, after too much time, there will be an oil breakdown and, therefore, high-pressure loss, which can lead to compressor failure. This is something that you want to avoid at any cost. If you do not, the compressor will stop working quickly, which means it will be useless to you.
How do you fix oil leaks?
One of the best ways to eliminate this problem is by using Teflon tape or pipe joint compound on the threaded connections. Remember that the tape should only be wrapped in a clockwise direction.
Keep Your Air Filter Clean
This is another important step that can impact your compressor’s performance. If you fail to maintain the machine properly by changing its filter regularly, it can cause serious damage and decrease its speed.
Why should you clean your air filter?
Having a clean filter is crucial for keeping your system working fast. Don’t wait until it’s too late, and replace your filter once or twice every year. If you want to increase the performance of your compressor, then keep its filter clean at all times.
Here are the benefits of regularly cleaning your air filter:
Prevents power loss
If you don’t clean the machine’s filter, then it will start collecting dust and debris, which can slow it down. This is why you should clean your filter regularly to prevent problems in the future.
Keeps components clean
Using a dirty filter can lead to dirt accumulation in the components of your machine, such as valves, cylinders, etc. Just like compressor oil, this can affect performance over time.
Reduces wear and tear
A dirty filter will lose its shape and cause the machine’s components, such as pistons, to stick together. This will lead to power loss, so clean your filter regularly for maximum performance.
Conclusion
Now you know how to make your air compressor go faster and maintain it regularly. With the right care and maintenance, your air compressor will work faster and smoother, giving you better productivity.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your air compressor works faster and more efficiently.
If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments. Thanks for reading.
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