hour meter on compressor

[u3b3rg33k]

If you regularly use your compressor for high-consumption tasks such as sandblasting or an RO air sander, you can push the duty cycle limits and will need to keep an eye on oil level, cleanliness, and watch for carbon build-up in the head from normal blowby.

there's no combustion in a compressor - why would blowby have carbon in it?

Duty cycle should be 100% from anything big enough to run a sandblaster.

 

[redmondjp]

there's no combustion in a compressor - why would blowby have carbon in it?

It gets carbon from the small amount of oil that does get by the rings into the cylinder - air gets very hot as it is compressed - this cooks the oil and causes carbon deposits on the valves if the compressor is running for long periods of time (heat builds up with continuous use).

Synthetic oil can withstand higher temperatures without breaking down, which is one reason why I suspect that it is now specified for use in many air compressors (I just put Mobil 1 5W-30 into my friend's new compressor).

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Perhaps an argument for the oiless scrolls? We have them at work, typically with 3 in rotation - 5hp ea.

We refer to M1 0W-40 as "god's oil" and put it in everything. got back a UOA after switching back to factory fill (castrol 5W30) and it was NOT favorable.

 

[engineer2]

there's no combustion in a compressor - why would blowby have carbon in it?
Duty cycle should be 100% from anything big enough to run a sandblaster.

High head temps can cause coking of the oil. I've torn them apart and seen it. As said, less of an issue with synthetics. Not all home compressors are 100% duty cycle. Easy to get carried away sandblasting if you are on a roll.