We’re entering the season when many manufacturing centers will prepare for their seasonal shutdown. While making these preparations, it’s essential to plan ahead for when you bring your air compressors back online, ensuring that you do so safely and prioritizing proper equipment functionality.
But what does this mean? And what are some of the most important things to consider when bringing an air compressor back online? Here are a few guidelines from ESA.
Bringing Air Compressors Online After a Shutdown
1) Was the compressor properly shut down?
By following proper procedures, you can increase the odds that your air compressor comes back online without issue. Therefore, refer to the equipment manual before initiating the shutdown process. Additionally, keep these points in mind: Drain the oil. Oil can cause rust and corrosion when the compressor’s not in use. And second, if the compressor is exposed to outside elements, consider insulating the equipment to prevent moisture from penetrating and freezing the system.
2) How recently was the air compressor serviced?
As a rule of thumb, we recommend inspecting and performing routine maintenance for your air compressor about once every six months. If it’s been six months since the last time you performed maintenance, you may want to service the compressor before bringing it back online. Replace air filters and oil, along with the motor bearing grease.
3) What’s the temperature in the room?
When bringing a compressor back online, you’ll also want to consider the ambient temperature. For example, if you have a compressor in a room under 40 degrees, we recommend warming the room before bringing the compressor back online. Even placing a few space heaters in the room can go a long way.
4) Have you primed the air end?
Consult your air compressor’s service manual for guidelines for priming the air end. This usually means removing the inlet valve and applying the oil directly to the air end, but it can vary by compressor model.
5) What about downstream infrastructure?
Finally, consider the other equipment that works in tandem with your air compressor. Rather than shocking your entire system with air, take the time to bring oil and water separators back online slowly and carefully.
Get Back Up and Running
Following a holiday shutdown, it’s essential to bring all of your equipment back online safely and strategically¾ including your air compressors. Of course, a big part of this is shutting them down properly before your holiday break begins.
If you have questions about preparing for a shutdown, bringing an air compressor back online, or performing routine maintenance, we’re here to help. Contact one of our ESA professionals to discuss your specific needs. We offer a range of solutions, including turn-key installations, custom installations, system audits, and reporting to minimize downtime and ensure smooth operations.
