Compressor RAN ALL NIGHT!!!

[e-tek]

This morning I walked by my shop and heard the compressor running I obviously forgot to shut it down last night...but the worst part is, a hose popped in my sandblasting cabinet which means it was running most of the night, nearly non-stop for as long as that GD hose was off!! The question is: Do you think it got damaged?? When I shut it down it was HOT and there was a cloud in the shop, but I wasn't 100% sure if it was oil smoke, paint burn-off, or if some was sand dust from the SandBlaster (cabinet door was open). The crank-case oil was still in the normal zone, but I haven't tried to restart it yet. I think I'm going to change the oil before restarting it. I'm nearly sick over it as it's brand new!
What do you think? Should I take any other precautons? How much "abuse" should one take?

 

[wrenchr]

I would change the oil to be on the safe side!! It should be fine though.

 

[chad s]

I always turn the breaker off for my compressor every night.

I would think if it turns over, your fine.

 

[rsanter]

that looks like a good compressor so I would not worry much.
change the oil te be on the safe side and when you drain the old oil strain it through a filter to look for particles. if you dont see any or very few then you really do not have anything to worry about.

remember that compressing air makes heat. that does not mean that you overheated the unit

bob

 

[ImportTuner]

Wow ... really nice looking compressor - just change the oil to be on the safe side; everything should be ok ...

 

[PoorOwner]

it was running without load so it wouldn't be too hard on the pistons.
On the other hand it might be fully broken in now and you can considering running synthetic

 

[JayL]

I thought so also, when I got my compressor new I did a hard break in to seat in the pistons well. Changed oil immediately the next day. We do this with our new and rebuilt car engines so I thought it would be ok with the compressor too. Four months now and the compressor running very smoothly.
However maybe this is just me, I would not recommend it. Maybe its better to follow the what the manual says.

 

[Danglerb]

Most consumer products don't have motors rated for continuous duty, but I would be more worried about the cloud. If it was abrasive material I guess you are about to find out just how premium the air filter is on the compressor.

I've done some of my own wiring, so I am breakers off kinda guy.

 

[oldgoat]

Change the oil and check the old oil for any solids in it. Does the motor smell like it is burnt? If not then it is probably OK. For me I always try to remember to shut the valve off from the tank before leaving, but have been known to forget to from time to time.
On another note since it was mentioned. I have thought about using synthetic oil, but I'm not familiar with what would be the right thing to use. I don't think that you should use regular multi weight auto oil. If anybody is using synthetic I'd be interested in your thoughts and what you use.

 

[nissan_crawler]

For me I always try to remember to shut the valve off from the tank before leaving, but have been known to forget to from time to time.

That will help some, but we had a line crack at the head 3x on our farm compressor.

It ran for several days one time, and overnight several other times, 15 years old, had constant pressure on it, ran in -35 weather all the time, never had the oil changed that I know of. Still ran like a top the day we sold the farm.

 

[eschoendorff]

it was running without load so it wouldn't be too hard on the pistons.
On the other hand it might be fully broken in now and you can considering running synthetic

Makes sense. I really wouldn't worry. Look over the compressor, check the oil an the air filters and then fire it back up after resecuring the lines. Worry only if it doesn't work.

 

[PoorOwner]

I would add some kind of disconnect at the blast cabinet in the future, I don't trust the trigger on the gun holding all the air.

But, it probably popped at those barbed connection right?

 

[PoorOwner]

I bought a gallon of redline compressor 30W synthetic oil. It's available ordering from their website directly.

http://www.redlineoil.com/products_coolant.asp?subCategoryID=10&productID=87

but I havn't changed the oil yet.. I have an hourmeter on my compressor and I only ran 4.3 hours for the past year but 3 hours from it was to port out the turbocharger don't look forward to do it again though!

Preferably, I would change it after 10-50 hrs..

 

[Mr. Welsh]

Hey that's a nice looking compressor.

How many CFMs does it put out at 100psi?

 

[Uncle Buck]

Hey that's a nice looking compressor.

How many CFMs does it put out at 100psi?

There is one of you in every crowd!

 

[SteveU]

I have thought about using synthetic oil, but I'm not familiar with what would be the right thing to use. I don't think that you should use regular multi weight auto oil. If anybody is using synthetic I'd be interested in your thoughts and what you use.

I would use a synthetic compressor oil which is made specifically for compressors. I use Amsoil PCK which is a ISO 100 or 40W that works from below 0*F to well over 100*F so there is no need to change for the seasons.I use it for both the compressor and for lubing air tools so it does double duty. Using this oil it starts right up even at 0* the same as it does at 70*. You only need 2 qts unless you have a monster compressor so the cost difference between synthetic & dino oil isn't that much especially when you consider the added flexibility temp wise of the synthetic. Switched everything I own to synthetic a few years back and won't use anything else.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I don't see synthetic paying off in a compressor. Ours on the farm ran all the time at -35 for 15 years, never had an oil change that I know of, and ran great. Now, my personal compressor, I'm changing the oil in.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I don't see synthetic paying off in a compressor. Ours on the farm ran all the time at -35 for 15 years, never had an oil change that I know of, and ran great. Now, my personal compressor, I'm changing the oil in.

The savings in using conventional oil vs synthetic oil is minimal (two quarts every year or two). The peace of mind factor in using the synthetic oil is tremendous.

Charles

 

[WolverineCoatings]

It's completely ruined! Since I'm feeling so generous today I'll let you ship it to me!



nice compressor!

 

[Vicegrip]

Why change the oil after an extended run? Oil normally gets water in it from units running too cool and never getting hot enough to cook off the water. I bet the oil is cleaner than it was yesterday. This is not the same as in a car there are no combustion byproducts getting into the oil.

Only use synthetic oil in compressors if the manufacture recommends it. I have many large compressors at work and do not run it in any of them as it is stated in writing not to. It is not a cure all and it is not "better" in all cases. RTFM.

I turn all compressors off when not in use. At work they are all controlled by timers and staged startups. BTW some compressors are hurt by extended no load runs. The seal and oil rings need pressure to help control oil. no load running can cause oil to sling and gather in the heat exchangers in large units and then slug into the 2nd stage.

 

[5wndwcpe]

Why change the oil after an extended run? Oil normally gets water in it from units running too cool and never getting hot enough to cook off the water. I bet the oil is cleaner than it was yesterday. This is not the same as in a car there are no combustion byproducts getting into the oil.

Only use synthetic oil in compressors if the manufacture recommends it. I have many large compressors at work and do not run it in any of them as it is stated in writing not to. It is not a cure all and it is not "better" in all cases. RTFM.

I turn all compressors off when not in use. At work they are all controlled by timers and staged startups. BTW some compressors are hurt by extended no load runs. The seal and oil rings need pressure to help control oil. no load running can cause oil to sling and gather in the heat exchangers in large units and then slug into the 2nd stage.

I gotta agree, besides, how do you know the hose didn't just pop off 5 minutes before you went out there ?

 

[buening]

You might plumb in a ball valve at the sandblaster to prevent something like this happening. I have a ball valve and a regulator/filter combo at every outlet point. I turn the ball valve off every time I use the sandblaster, and I never hear my compressor cycling with all valves turned off.

 

[nissan_crawler]

The savings in using conventional oil vs synthetic oil is minimal (two quarts every year or two). The peace of mind factor in using the synthetic oil is tremendous.

Charles

Perhaps, but I have zero peace of mind running synthetic in a compressor. I just don't trust it to not screw up the rings.

 

[nissan_crawler]

You might plumb in a ball valve at the sandblaster to prevent something like this happening. I have a ball valve and a regulator/filter combo at every outlet point. I turn the ball valve off every time I use the sandblaster, and I never hear my compressor cycling with all valves turned off.

You better hope a line on the compressor doesn't break. The only safe way is to turn the breaker off.

 

[e-tek]

To everyone who said to turn off the breaker - OFF COURSE I SHOULD HAVE!! and normally do - just forgot 'cause I got rushed out to dinner the night before...damn dinner.
To those that said to plumb in a shut-off before the SBlaster - I bought one today - I can only hope it blew only a short while before hearing it and shutting down. But I'll be putting a note on the exit door to remind me to turn off the unit...
Thanks for all the replies - appreciate all the confidence you have in the unit. As a reward - check my wifes pics in Free Parking!!!

 

[annoyingrob]

I gotta agree, besides, how do you know the hose didn't just pop off 5 minutes before you went out there ?

He said the compressor was HOT. That would be a good indication it's been running for a while. The compressor motors typically aren't meant to be running continuous duty for an extended period of time, as they don't have adequate cooling for such a task.

The mere fact that the motor was hot might be a good reason to change the oil. I don't know how hot the oil got, but doesn't dino oil start to break down once it gets really hot?

 

[AR15Texan]

Hey that's a nice looking compressor.

How many CFMs does it put out at 100psi?

More importantly do you know if I can get one in yellow.

 

[PAToyota]

I always shut off the compressor before leaving the shop for the night - except that I forgot the other evening...

It probably cycled a few times during the night because I remember hearing a bit of a leak from the impact wrench while I was working on the truck, but fortunately it didn't have any issues like you had with the line popping off...

The sign on the door sounds like a good idea no matter what!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

you probably just ran it in well.

me personally, i wouldn't worry. it's a big compressor made to hanlde abuse. if they weren't meant to be able to run continuously, they'd have an auto shut-off that cut power when a certain heat is reached in the motor.

 

[l_bilyk]

It's fine..... don't worry about it

Just don't breathe in the cloud of abrasive

 

[5wndwcpe]

He said the compressor was HOT. That would be a good indication it's been running for a while. The compressor motors typically aren't meant to be running continuous duty for an extended period of time, as they don't have adequate cooling for such a task.

The mere fact that the motor was hot might be a good reason to change the oil. I don't know how hot the oil got, but doesn't dino oil start to break down once it gets really hot?

Well Annoying, my compressor gets pretty HOT after running for only a short while. Nature of the beast. My point was, he has no way of knowing just how long it had been running.

 

[Vicegrip]

He said the compressor was HOT. That would be a good indication it's been running for a while. The compressor motors typically aren't meant to be running continuous duty for an extended period of time, as they don't have adequate cooling for such a task.

The mere fact that the motor was hot might be a good reason to change the oil. I don't know how hot the oil got, but doesn't dino oil start to break down once it gets really hot?

Not the kind of heat you see in a compressor. Think of the time and heat motor oil takes in you car. compressor oil has it easy even in hard driven units. The compressors at work (25hp 4 cyl) get so hot you can't touch the x over pipes. The oil lasts very well in them.

A hot motor has nothing to do with the compressor oil. Besides most home units have motors with thermal overload protection.

I think many tool owners fall into two distinct groups. Those that under utilize them such as the guys that stop welding then the cooling fan first comes on and those that flog tools into the ground like lawn mowers that go 10 years with no oil change only some added now and then.

I have forgotten to turn the compressor off more than once myself. My compressor auto blow down decided to preform a timed blow down on a warm summers evening long after I forgot to flip the switch. Out of the blue it opened the 3/4 inch valve with a great roaring hiss scaring the he!! out of the lady next door as she sat on back patio.

 

[PoorOwner]

Is there any trouble with leaving the pressure switch in OFF position.. (all ball valves shut off, of course) can it still come ON? I am not sure inside the pressure switch box is it a physical disconnect or not?

 

[W-Cummins]

To everyone who said to turn off the breaker - OFF COURSE I SHOULD HAVE!! and normally do

Note that most breakers are NOT rated as switches and should not be used to turn on and off stuff more than occasionally.

William...

 

[PoorOwner]

Note that most breakers are NOT rated as switches and should not be used to turn on and off stuff more than occasionally.

William...

Yup.. that's what I am afraid of.. I would like to leave the breaker off both my electric heater and compressor during the vacation though..

 

[e-tek]

Note that most breakers are NOT rated as switches and should not be used to turn on and off stuff more than occasionally.

William...

I've worked in shops where the breakers where the ONLY method of thurning off and on the lights and equipment everynight. Never saw one that broke with this much use -and many where 20 year old and more. Not that I do that - I have an in-line switch on the wall which is what I use to turn it on/off. I was told the switch on the compressor isn't as heavy duty as the one I installed, so I use that one.
As for this issue, I just changed the oil - it was black. Tomorrow I'll run the old oil through a strainer and run er up!
Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[Mr_fixit]

I'd bet that your is compressor motors is rated to run continously. If it is you can find that "cont' right on the motor nameplate.

And that's a seroius pump there too. I'd bet there's no harm done.

I've run my compressor continously for 10-12 hours at a clip... many times...

 

[tdkkart]

I've had malfunctions that caused extended runs on compressors also, never seemed to hurt them.

But............

The next time I wire up a compressor I'm going to install a contactor relay wired to the shop lights. Power to the compressor will automatically be shut down when you shut off the lights on the way out the door.

 

[Mr_fixit]

The next time I wire up a compressor I'm going to install a contactor relay wired to the shop lights. Power to the compressor will automatically be shut down when you shut off the lights on the way out the door.

Ah ha, I always wanted to wire up a solenoid valve to let air from my compressor tanks into the garage & house & attached garage lines. ( My lines leak just a tad over several weeks, to empty the tanks.) .. That sounds like I could use your idea, and modify it a bit... I could plumb a 3/4 " 120 volt solenoid valve to the circuit that controls some lights.

And then, when I'm in the garage, turn on the lights, valve opens and I always have air in the lines, when I need it, instead of 5 -10 minutes later after I flick the breaker ..... I could leave the breaker on, since the tank will always be full....

Heck, and if I wire it on a three way switch, I can flick the switch from the house or garage, open the valve, and I have air pressure in both garages & house, too.

Like your idea, alot.

 

[kwb210]

I always shut off the compressor before leaving the shop for the night - except that I forgot the other evening...

It probably cycled a few times during the night because I remember hearing a bit of a leak from the impact wrench while I was working on the truck, but fortunately it didn't have any issues like you had with the line popping off...

The sign on the door sounds like a good idea no matter what!

I have installed a red pilot light next to the switch for my hot water tank and plan on the same for the compressor. Ideally, that little red pilot light would be next to the exit door, and then maybe I would even see it and remember why I installed it.