You've chosen the best air compressor for your needs and now you want it to be of good service for as long as possible.
Like with most mechanical tools, you don't have to deal with daily upkeep.
However, you should perform regular maintenance to extend the life of your compressor.
1.
It's the hoses that are the life blood of your compressor.
When they become worn and cracked it will result in stress on your machine.
Replace hoses as soon as you notice corrosion.
2.
Make sure you drain water that has built up in your tank.
The tank receives moisture from compressed air and it's important to drain it on a regular basis.
The air pressure built up in the tank must first be released and then you can open the drain valve.
This will allow the moisture to escape and it only takes minutes.
3.
The most critical of these tips is to read the manual.
I know it's boring but this is where you really learn how to extend the life of your air compressor.
You'll find things in there that you didn't know about that may be vital to maintaining your compressor in good working order.
The other reason to pay attention to the manual is that you'll know the requirements necessary to keep the warranty good and not be voided.
4.
Keep the intake vents clean.
By keeping these vents clean, you won't be causing the compressor to work too hard to supply air.
This also can cause a breakdown over time in the working parts.
Check the vents regularly.
5.
Keep an eye on the air filter.
Just as you need to keep the vents clear to insure the machine operates at full efficiency, the air filter must be free of buildup.
A dirty air filter means the machine has to work harder and this degrades its working parts over time.
Change the filter every 6 months or so depending on how much you use your compressor.
6.
Keep the fuel tank clean.
Another life preserving bit of maintenance is making sure you clean the fuel tank of any buildup.
This will be another life extending bit of maintenance.
7.
Change the oil.
If your compressor uses oil(some are oil free), check it daily so that you know that it's at the perfect level.
I change the oil in my machine every 500 hours or so of use.
8.
Tighten all of the screws, bolt and nuts.
Since air compressors run hard and tend to vibrate quite a bit, the fasteners will come loose.
Check them every so often and tighten any that you find are loose.
This tip especially can insure that you will be running a quiet air compressor.
9.
Maintain the separator element.
The purpose of this element is to minimize the use of oil by your compressor.
It's a great feature but must be replaced every 1000 hours or so in most compressors.
You owner's manual will have this information.