Does an Old Piston Air Comp. Pump Care Which Way it Turns?

[Leon bee]

Hello tool friends: I'm looking at used pumps on eBay for a project, and less modern looking is good. I know that many have fan blades in the wheel, but how about other than that. Never have really had one apart for study. Thanks! for any info.

 

[The Cobbler]

direction fan on the flywheel & oil dipper would be the only concerns as far as I know . and I am not sure on the oil dipper.

 

[American Locomotive]

The answer is "maybe".

Some splash lube compressors have an oil slinger that points straight down and will work well in any direction. Others are at an angle or in a certain shape that that only effectively work one way.

Pressure lubed compressors generally only work one way, but I have heard of some compressoes with auto-reversing pumps that will pump either direction.

 

[Dagny]

Refrigeration compressors with oil pumps have this feature. But the fan should blow over the comp.

 

[micromind]

The fan should always blow toward the cylinders, otherwise it won't cool properly.

As other have stated, the dipper in a splash lube unit might or might not care. But if it does matter, you'll burn up the pump in fairly short order.

The valves don't care at all.

 

[Leon bee]

Thanks, guys. The fan part I don't care about.......but that oiling.......I better be careful.

 

[larry_g]

Unless you can confirm that pump you select is omnidirectional then assume that it it runs in only one direction. Each manufacture and line is different so there is not a black and white answer here for you.

lg
no neat sig line