Troubleshooting Your Air Compressor
You can’t afford downtime when your air compressor rental goes on the fritz. When your air compressor won’t deliver the power you require, you need to act quickly to keep things moving forward on the job site. When it comes to troubleshooting your air compressor, the following can help you quickly identify and resolve the problem.
“Clicking” Sounds – Clicking sounds are usually the result of a damaged pressure switch. It’s often the result of a tear in the diaphragm. When this happens, it can cause the compressor to cycle on/off. When this happens, the best solution is to replace the pressure switch.
“Humming” Sounds – A humming motor is a motor that is overheating and should be shut off immediately to prevent further damage to the compressor. Motors can hum if the power supply or wiring is damaged. It can occur when the intake filter is clogged. Or, it could be because the unloader valve or start capacitor is failing. When the motor hums, check the filter first. If that doesn’t fix it, disconnect the pump from the motor and see if the motor starts. If it does, it’s the load that’s causing the humming. If not, you should request a service call from a qualified repair technician to further examine the problem.
Water in the Air – Water in the compressed air is a common problem. It’s especially common in hot, humid environments. If you have water in your air, you will want to drain the tank and let it air out. If the tank has a water trap, it may be damaged and need to be replaced.
Air Leaks – Air leaks in your air compressor rental can ruin your day. When air leaks from the air compressor, it’s often the result of a puncture in the tank or tear within the hoses. To identify air leaks, coat the tank and hoses in thick, soapy water. When discovered, apply the appropriate patch, coat the patch with soapy water, and determine whether the leak has stopped. If the air leak is not in the tank or the hose, it may be in the piston seals. One clear indication of this is oil bubbling out from the compressor oil dipstick. When this happens, you will need to replace the seal to stop the leak.
Blown Fuses & Breakers – Blown fuses and breakers can occur if the air compressor is running for too long, if the motor capacitor fails, or if the compressor is connected to the socket via an extension cord which can limit the flow of power into the compressor motor and cause it to overheat. Test the problem by letting the motor cool, then determine if you are using the right power cord. If that doesn’t solve the problem, contact your air compressor rental provider and request a service call.
Contact Gen-Tech Power Generation Specialists at (800) 625-8324 for more information about our air compressor rentals. We will help you select a unit that will deliver the efficiency and reliability your operations require.