Air compressor run hours

[rhunt]

Just looking over some air compressor posts here and thought I would mention how I schedule the oil changes on my IR compressor. When I installed the unit I incorporated an hour meter on it and wired it to the secondary side of the motor contactor/starter. I think the meter (240 volt) cost about $28.00 plus an electric box to house it in for about $2.00. These are 2K7 prices. Mounted close to the compressor and easily read. When the motor comes on/off the meter starts/stops. This eliminates the guess work of servicing the unit. You would be surprised how many hours your unit runs. Some food for thought! Bob

[Renagade]

Go Idea, Some Of The Units We Sell Have Meters In Starters

[chino_man279]

I did the same for my Kobalt 80 gallon. I wired in a meter on the motor side of the pressure switch. I mounted the meter in a piece of aluminum flat bar. Drilled a hole in it and used one of the motor bolts to hold it right next to the on/off switch. I also hung a standard note pad placed in a document protector off of the side with a ziptie. I write down all maintenance, hours, parts/price/store. Very easy to keep track of everything this way. No second guessing hour usage.

[bottlefed89]

I've just serviced mine by date in the past, but I have absolutely no idea of run time. Good idea.

[mla2ofus]

You can also run a 110v meter by hooking to one leg of the motorside of the start switch and the other wire to the nuetral/ground.
Mike

[tnjind]

I have had mine for 13 years it came from local Tractor supply. It runs probably on average 1-1.5 hours a day 4-6 days a week. More while sand blasting.

I have changed oil once and replaced the air filter once.

The stupid part is that at my real job I am maintenance supervisor and responsible for all preventative maintenance, and dang good at it. BUT my own stuff is sorely lacking.

[Mick120]

Originally Posted by tnjind

I have had mine for 13 years it came from local Tractor supply. It runs probably on average 1-1.5 hours a day 4-6 days a week. More while sand blasting.

I have changed oil once and replaced the air filter once.

The stupid part is that at my real job I am maintenance supervisor and responsible for all preventative maintenance, and dang good at it. BUT my own stuff is sorely lacking.

You're makin me feel guilty..........
I've managed just a bit better tho, I've changed the oil once in 8 years....and mine has a built in hour meter.

[jworman]

There was a thread some years ago about when to change the oil in your compressor. It seems like 50 hours was agreed upon.

About that time I bought a 80 gal compressor. I had no idea how many hours I put on one, but I thought not too many. I added an hour meter to keep tabs on when I should change the oil.

About 5 years later I'm up to almost 17 hours. I guess I don't use as much air as I thought, but when I want it, it's there.