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How to Know Your Piston Compressor Needs to Be Changed

Sunday, March 8. 2020

Whether you use an air compressor within a commercial, sensitive, or domestic setting, it's important that you can rely on your equipment to produce the flow rate and quality of air you require. In some instances, such as in the medical profession, a bad or failing compressor can even jeopardize lives.
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In this article we're going to show you how to know your air compressor is failing, so you can take the action required and install a trusted BOGE air compressor to future proof your business.

 

Signs of Compressor Failure

Each compressor model has its own signs of wear and tear due to differing designs. However, there are several general signs your air compressor needs replacement. Let's look at each one, along with the reason behind them.

 

  1. No Power: If your compressor doesn't switch on, it could be because there is a fault with its power supply. For compressors, this will be an issue with the mains power supply or internal electrical components, and then there is a bigger problem. Something might have shorted, especially if the compressor is in a humid or wet environment and wasn't built for that purpose.

 

  1. Excessive Noise: Some compressors are very loud, but BOGE's Whisper Quiet technology makes our products some of the quietest on the market. That being said, if your compressor is making more noise than it did previously, this could be a sign of trouble. Reasons for this include abrasion and loose screws, fittings or other components. It could also be because the compressor has been running without adequate lubrication, resulting in wear and tear to moving parts. The piston head could be hitting a valve plate. Also, the crankcase or crank end could be broken.

 

  1. A Knocking Sound: This can be caused by a main bearings failure, loose or damaged piston or cylinders, or something having broken off inside of the compressor.

 

  1. Milky or Watery Oil Residue: If you see changes to the viscosity of the oil in the oil reservoir, it could mean that a seal has failed and water is entering the system. It could also mean that the compressor is not maintaining operating temperatures.

 

  1. Oil Discharge: In oil lubricated compressors, if the air outlet shows signs of containing oil particulates at a higher degree than expected, then there could be worn cylinders and piston rings causing this problem.

 

  1. Poor Volume: It's always a good idea to know the sort of volume your compressor should produce. If it's taking far more time to reach required pressure  or requires more power to do a job than before, this could be the sign of a failing compressor and motor.

 

Other Reasons to Change Your Compressor

Even if your air compressor is working as expected, there are still times when you might need to replace it. These include:

 

  • Change in Requirements: If you are retooling your system for a different purpose, then you should give serious thoughts to investing in new equipment. Compressor models have different specifications. For example, an oil lubricated compressor with no filtration might be perfect for powering a pneumatic tool in an auto-shop, but the same compressor would spoil clothing during textile manufacturing and so requires comprehensive air treatment.

 

  • Changing Environmental Concerns: If you need to move your compressor to another location or room within your existing premises, you might consider buying a new one. For example, if noise contamination is an issue in the new location, then you will want to try a super quiet compressor like our whisper quiet screw compressor range.

 

  • Limited Space: To make the most of your compressor setup, you need to limit the footprint of your equipment. Over time, you may want to free up some space for other purposes. Our C2 range of compact screw compressors is an excellent choice when available space is a rare commodity.

 

  • Efficiency: You should always want to improve on the efficiency of your compressor as this is better for the environment and will cut down on your running costs. One of the best ways to do this is to buy a new cutting-edge compressor design such as our C2 range of compact screw compressors  Alternatively, you could install artificially intelligent controllers to decrease the amount of work required for a specific task.

 

We hope this article has helped you understand when you should change your air compressor. By choosing BOGE air compressors, you will markedly increase efficiency, decrease running costs, and drastically reduce any required maintenance. Contact one of our trained advisors today and they will ensure you receive the best BOGE compressor on the market for your specific needs.