Oil Problem

[Phil.c]

I'm using a Silair 40d compressor, it's just over a year old now.
I work 7 hours a day but the "Total" time the compressor is actually on is about 20 minutes. It comes on roughly 30 seconds at a time periodically.
I'm getting a small amount of oil in the water trap, also when the relief valve blows off there is a fine spray of oil coming from it.
Can anyone please comment on this?

Phil

 

[rtbcomp]

Hi Phil, welcome to the forum.

Don't worry about it. The spray from the relief valve (I assume you mean the one in the pressure switch) will be a mixture of air & water.

I'd be more concerned about the 30 secs run time though, sounds like you need to increase the cut off pressure and use a regulator to reduce the pressure to what you need. You'll cause less stress and save electricity by not having the motor stopping and starting so much.

Am I right in thinking that unit is based around a fridge motor? If so you will get oil in the air because the inlet to the pump is drawing oil mist in, also such units prefer to run warm, the motor runs in an oil bath and starting is a lot easier when the oil is warm. Aim for a 50% duty cycle. 15 mins on, 15 mins off. (Unless the instructions say different).

 

[Phil.c]

Thanks for the quick reply.
I'm an engraver and work witrh my son who also engraves, we use air tools and we're running at 80 psi.The regulator on the compressor is set at 80psi.
It comes on as I said for 30 seconds or less about every ten minutes.
I think the unit will deliver about 116psi. Are you saying to run it at this and just keep our individual regulatore at 80psi?

I believe it is based around a fridge motor and is not "pison".
http://www.compressorsolutions.co.uk/Product/357/silair-30-d.aspx

Phil

 

[rtbcomp]

If the instructions say you can set it to 116 psi then I would.

I have had three of these from a tanning salon, two were u/s (siezed, presumably run for greater than 50%) the third worked OK. They all had oil everywhere.

My own view is that for the price this type of compressor is a complete waste of money.

You could get three of these for same price http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ranger-24/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2

Being oil-less there would be absolutely no oil contamination. The only downside I can see is that they would be a bit noisey.

This may be OK http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/wiz-mini-air-compressor/path/diy-semi-professional-air-compressors-2 but it doesn't have a tank, but then again it would be no big deal to connect it to one.

 

[Phil.c]

Apart from the oil issue which means keeping a rag around the relief valve area I find it extremely quiet and well suited for my work.......but pricey!!
Thanks for your help.
Phil