Do you leave your compressor on?

[Swoboda]

I am considering a new compressor (not sure how "nice", but bigger than my small no-name pancake).

Can a compressor be left on to have air immediately available, or is it recommended I leave it off and turn it on when needed? I've seen some home shops that seem to have air on/available immediately.

Would there be a difference between oilless and oil?

Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Malczewski]

NO. Fill it and open the drain.
Close the valve and fire it up in the morning.

 

[Zrexxer]

The only time I ever empty a compressor tank is I have to change tank fittings, make repairs, or move it. Mine stay pressurized 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I paid for the power to fill the tank, why would I constantly waste it?

I turn the ball valve off at the tank so a hose doesn't blow and cause the compressor to run away, but it stays pressurized constantly. If it make you feel better to turn the power off also, then do so.

 

[Daedalus]

Lol At my old house in a dense neighborhood I had 1 neighbor whose house wall was 2' from my detached garage. A couple times in the 8 years I was there I forgot to turn off the compressor and the regulator, and would wake up sometime after 2AM to the sound of my compressor running. I'm guessing I woke up 3 or 4 households. I did feel pretty bad about it but now I just laugh.

 

[koditten]

Mine is always on. If you have taken your time and have leak free plumbing, why not leave it on. I spent money to buy the electricity, I'm not gonna piss it away by bleeding down the tank.

 

[Caman]

I put a ball valve on the port coming out of the tank. Turn it off and leave it for next time. Occasionally drain the tank to get the moisture out.

 

[wyo george]

Mine stays filled 24/7-365 although I turn the power off when I leave the shop. My system has almost zero leaks though so when I return a couple days or even a week later the system has only dropped 5-10psi

 

[OldracerJones]

I put a ball valve in the line before my filter and use it to cut it on or off. I always leave it on and when the valve is closed the compressor never runs.

 

[Tader82]

my compress is as old as i am(my mother got it for my father as a gift just after i was born and now i have it). the only times its been turned off in 32 years is to move it from house to house, or to drain it(its a Horizontal craftsman is the drain like 1/4" from the ground, only real complaint i have ever had about it). Or to fix a part on it.

 

[larry_g]

On, except if I'm not expecting to use it for a couple of weeks or more.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Oldb]

No, I always turn it off. With a good ball valve on the tank output the tank should stay charged for quite a while. I only turn it on when I am going to use it. Although unlikely there is a chance for something to leak, crack, let go or what ever, and cause the compressor to run until it trips the breaker, or worse.
Best to leave it off.

B

 

[zepher11]

I actually installed a light in my shop near the exit door that is only on when my compressor is on. My compressor is 50 to 60 years old and leaks down. I can hear air coming from the oil dipstick bore. With the exception of that, it works great. I really need to figure out if it can be rebuilt. Likely a thread on that around here somewhere.

Anyhoo, if I inadvertently leave it on, much to my chagrin, it will fire off in the middle of the night Therefore, I do turn it off. Sadly, it is empty in about 24 hours.

 

[rburke65]

On.....I turn off the all valve. Big difference oil and oilless. Oilless is REALLY LOUD and I would have to say found on the less expensive units. Depends on what you want to do with the compressor.....sand blast, body work, or.....?

 

[marinusdees]

Oilless uses a teflon ring and a brass cylinder liner. The teflon sacrifices to the brass and consequently has a (relatively) short life. Not so good for frequent usage. Not to mention the heat and noise. Ask me how I know. I am a retired dentist and used both in an attempt to get clean, oil free air. The $4,000 oilless puked one day before the 1 year warranty expired. We talked them into giving us an oil filled as a replacement. This lasted 10 years. After I retired, no one bothered to check the oil. One of the Copeland heads broke. The other had a tablespoon of oil and still functioned. I got a receipt for $1,700 for a charitable contribution to a mission of some sort.
Find a good local body shop and talk to them. They use hellacious amounts of compreszsed air.

 

[GYPSY400]

I turn mine off, and close the ball valve at the tank.. the tank stays up, but the system drains off eventually.. some days i dont even have to fire it up and still have enough in the tank to do occasional jobs. (80 gal.)

 

[ZRX61]

Ball valve at the top gets closed & the service disconnect gets flipped. Air stays in the tank. I think in 15 years at my old house it was only ever drained (of air) twice.

 

[7thDimension]

I actually installed a light in my shop near the exit door that is only on when my compressor is on. My compressor is 50 to 60 years old and leaks down. I can hear air coming from the oil dipstick bore. With the exception of that, it works great. I really need to figure out if it can be rebuilt. Likely a thread on that around here somewhere.

Anyhoo, if I inadvertently leave it on, much to my chagrin, it will fire off in the middle of the night Therefore, I do turn it off. Sadly, it is empty in about 24 hours.

It sounds like the check valve between the tank and pump is bad... Even a new one will leak air backwards through the pump if it's output is pressurized when not running.

 

[Samh]

I used to leave mine on, but the shut-off valve went bad, and the motor ran constantly for a few days, and burned out the motor.

 

[Ilikeike]

Although my home system is pretty tight,I somtimes turn the ball valve at the tank off if I know I'm going to be out of town. Before I upgraded some old fittings it came on a time or two in the middle of the night when the valve was open.

At my shop at work it's on 24/7 since we have automatic equipment that requires air on demand 365 days a yr.

 

[Denwood]

The compressors circuit breakers are only on when I'm in the shop. I power everything off, including heat.

 

[Thumper68]

I turn the ball valve off when I leave the shop most of the time, there have been times I have forgotten though. I'm thinking of installing a servo valve that will open with the lights so when I turn off the light the valve will auto close.

 

[redmondjp]

Same as others - ball valve at tank output gets turned off when I'm out of the shop. Tank will stay charged almost indefinitely that way. Usually the power switch is turned off as well.

 

[catfish500 mark]

Mine has the ball valve at the tank also.It stays at 175 psi all the time.I did however install a regular ole light switch inline to the pressure relief switch that stays turned off just incase for whatever reason the drain line somehow blew off or devolped a leak.Im only home on the weekends so I just wanted to be absolutely sure it would never come on without me being there.I do crack the tank drain valve open once a week, though, very little ever comes out of it but I figure why not.Im just pickie about those kind of things.

 

[countryroad82]

Like many, I put a ball valve on my compressor. I shut it off due to my fear of an air line possibly blowing while I'm gone and the compressor would run all night and day before I got home. Plus with the ball valve on my compressor I kick my drain open while I'm opening the valve, just a good habit to have.

 

[atty5420]

Don't have a ball valve....probably should be a project on the list, so I just turn the regulator to zero pressure on the lines. Tank stays pressurized.

 

[38Chevy454]

I am like many here, ball valve closed (when I remember ) and then power off. Tank stays charged and ready to use.

 

[12ozd]

Turn mine off at the tank (1/4 turn ball valve)
Then relieve pressure in lines by means of a blow gun at the reel.

 

[Kaizen]

My habits are seasonal as its in unheated space. Summer I leave it on and turn off the ball valve. Winter I shut it off and have a few leaks in the pipe so it bleeds down over a few hours. I have an auto drain so it purges it to get the water out before it freezes to a block of ice

 

[zepher11]

It sounds like the check valve between the tank and pump is bad... Even a new one will leak air backwards through the pump if it's output is pressurized when not running.

I don't know a great deal about compressor operations, since I really haven't had any issues with it in the 25 plus years I have used it. Just like a car, I have only changed the oil and air filter...when I remember! I did lose one of the eight capacitors once. Took me a bit to figure out what happened, but eventually fixed that.

I will check out the check valve and see if I can find a new one to see if that will fix it. I'm in the process of setting the compressor up at my new shop, so now would be the time to install some improvements and see if I can correct the leak down. I appreciate the tip!

Thanks!

Zeph

 

[Big Bad Dad]

I had mine on one day while working in the garage. Went out for parts, and when I returned, I was hearing a really bad noise. Found out the compressor had thrown the belt, and the motor was running wide open nonstop. Luckily I had only been gone for an hour or so. The motor was pretty hot, but still worked OK after it cooled down and I replaced the belt. So NO, I do not leave mine on unless I am around. (I am usually only in my garage nights and weekends)

 

[mathil]

I don't know a great deal about compressor operations, since I really haven't had any issues with it in the 25 plus years I have used it. Just like a car, I have only changed the oil and air filter...when I remember! I did lose one of the eight capacitors once. Took me a bit to figure out what happened, but eventually fixed that.

I will check out the check valve and see if I can find a new one to see if that will fix it. I'm in the process of setting the compressor up at my new shop, so now would be the time to install some improvements and see if I can correct the leak down. I appreciate the tip!

Thanks!

Zeph

If it pumps up, doesn't blow off a pressure valve (if it has stages) while pumping, and oil's coming from the dipstick at rest it's pretty much 100% that valve. It's just a threaded fitting on the inlet of the storage tank that the output line from the pump attaches to. I don't know your model of compressor, but mine has a 3/4 copper line that feeds to the top of the tank.

 

[zepher11]

If it pumps up, doesn't blow off a pressure valve (if it has stages) while pumping, and oil's coming from the dipstick at rest it's pretty much 100% that valve. It's just a threaded fitting on the inlet of the storage tank that the output line from the pump attaches to. I don't know your model of compressor, but mine has a 3/4 copper line that feeds to the top of the tank.

I think I found it...happened to have a photo at work. Bottom right in photo (brass fitting). In the foggy recesses of my mind, I believe I replaced the check valve when I found this compressor. I remember I completely dismantled it and painting everything black. My back still twinges from the thought of lifting off that cast iron electric Westinghouse motor...I think that was around 1988.

Anyway, sorry to digress on the thread, but thank you!

 

[nfk]

I have a small dewalt oil-less compressor that I usually unplug, drain, and put away when I am done using it. With larger compressors I close the valve and turn off the power, but leave the tank pressurized.

 

[Shop Specialties]

Power on 24/7 turn ball valve off when not using it.

 

[SALIV8]

i used to leave my compressor on 24/7 so I would have compressed air whenever i wanted.

One day i went in the garage and the lights wouldnt turn on. Odd, i checked the breaker and it was popped.

found the belt off the compressor, and the motor was red hot. Turned out the motor was now garbage and windings melted together. I dont know how long it was running for, but im happy i didnt burn the place down with the motor catching fire...

I never leave power on anymore but will leave the tank pressurized and let it bleed down by itself.

The risk is not worth the reward for me, any longer.

 

[Malczewski]

The only time I ever empty a compressor tank is I have to change tank fittings, make repairs, or move it. Mine stay pressurized 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. I paid for the power to fill the tank, why would I constantly waste it?

I turn the ball valve off at the tank so a hose doesn't blow and cause the compressor to run away, but it stays pressurized constantly. If it make you feel better to turn the power off also, then do so.

So did this guy.

 

[GN4WHLN]

I only have it on when I am in the shop. I don't like letting machines cycle while I'm not there. What I do is have a ball valve that separates the compressor from the distribution system. Regulator, water separator, etc. is all on the distribution side of the system. The tank stays pressurized for more than a week without a significant drop. So, I'm not running the compressor to keep pressurized but I'm not pressurizing the tank from 0 each time I use it. I drain the tank regularly and have a light on the circuit so I don't accidentally leave the compressor on when I leave.

 

[snowman3]

either way. Dad leaves his tank filled with air but always throws the power disconnect so it can't kick on if there is an air leak in middle of night, etc.

grandpa and I drain them after each use 'cause we only use it about once per month.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I leave mine on but shut the valve to pressurize the system.

 

[Zrexxer]

So did this guy.

I'm not wasting my time watching videos, but since I'm sure whatever you posted was intended to refute my statement, properly maintained compressors don't spontaneously explode. They are not filled with fuel, or explosives, and don't detonate from random causes.

If you're running a rusted out, dangerous piece of **** that you found out in a field, then by all means, drain it and leave it drained. My 3 year old Champion compressor was made to hold air. And it holds air, all the time.