At first, just learning or understanding how your machine functions is necessary in order to learn how to maintain it and make the most out of it. You may become more concerned about your air compressor and recognize when something is wrong with it if you become familiar with the components that it contains as well as how those components perform their functions.
Leakage issues, compressors not working properly or spending unnecessary money on its tools is a common thing and mainly happens because of our negligence and minimum knowledge about the air compressor and require measure and solutions in return. To get a better grasp on why it is important for an air compressor to be directed in a particular way, we must first become familiar with the operation of air compressors.
Rather than going into detail about the numerous various kinds and designs; very particularly we have picked this specific problem for our today’s article to deliver enough information regarding its measure that can you lay an air compressor on its side or not?
Contents
Can you lay an air compressor on its side?
Starting directly with the main question, we will jump to other relevant questions that usually come in the minds of air compressor users. The answer is simply a NO, that you can’t do, so particularly under some circumstances that are also discussed here:
Whether you put it to use in your line of work or in the more basic duties you complete around the house, an air compressor is a handy device to have on hand. In addition, if you have a particularly limited amount of room, you could be tempted to make things simpler by laying your air compressor on its back or tilting it to one side and that’s where it all starts.
More importantly, laying your air compressor on one side will definitely have a negative impact on the working of the compressor.
If your compressor is used, means that you have worked with it before and it isn’t brand new, it will almost certainly contain oil. In this case if the machine is tipped over it might cause problems by seeping into regions where it shouldn’t be.
Furthermore, if the compressor is allowed to remain tilted for an extended period of time, the accumulation of oil will start taking place on its own, which will result in the compressor becoming useless.
Following the mechanism, then after passing through the suction filter, this oil makes its way into the compressor tank. There, it is combined with air that has been compressed to produce compressed air.
So, if the compressor doesn’t block or hold the oil it will enter into an inappropriate region and will clog the equipment and ultimately fail.
Can You Lay Down a New Air Compressor?
In response to the previous question, there are two factors that detects the functioning:
- An old compressor (containing oil)
- A new compressor (doesn’t contain oil)
Here we are talking about the second situation, if the compressor is new, what can you do in this case. The answer is YES, you can definitely lay it down if it’s new.
The vast majority of the time, you won’t run into any issues if you turn a brand-new air compressor on its side or lay it down. In most cases, new air compressors do not have any oil in them, nor do the storage tanks of these compressors contain any kind of water/dirt, etc.
As long as there isn’t any oil in the pump or fluid in the tank that could leak out and into areas where it isn’t supposed to be, there’s no reason to avoid laying an air compressor on its back or putting it on its side.
Can You Lay a Vertical Air Compressor on its Side?
YES, you can lay a vertical air compressor on any side and it can be because of multiple reasons such as for saving space etc.
Also, importantly there is an indication that you must follow while doing so, is to ensure that your compressor is securely fastened to the container and that any necessary repairs have been made.
With that, there are other measures to take that include a method that you need to ensure in this.
- Simply drain the pump and it will stop the oil from the compressor from moving when the machine is in the horizontal position.
- If you are going to buy a used one, once you get it installed, despite the fact that it is not new, you will almost certainly still need to refill the oil even though it has been done. Before you begin using your compressor, you should give it a few minutes to settle down.
Dangers Associated with laying down an Oil-Lubricated Air Compressor
- If your compressor is turned upside down and oil leaks into the air chamber, the situation will become more dangerous than ever, as oil vapor will enter the tank.
- The oil in the air compressor is capable of causing damage to the inlet and discharge valves. In this case, the outcome will be a rapid deterioration of the compressor’s condition or a complete failure of the air compressor.
- Oil-lubricated air compressors pose all of the same dangers as oil-free air compressors, plus the additional threat of oil leaking into areas where it isn’t supposed to be. Oil-free air compressors don’t use any oil.
Conclusion
You can lay down your air compressor on its sides, however this is only permissible in a limited number of situations. In general, it is ideal to keep them standing as much as possible to avoid harming any gears. If this is not possible, the next best option is to store them horizontally.
Therefore, most of the problems that are discussed are specific to oil-lubricate compressors; however, if you are using or planning to purchase an oil-free air compressor, you won’t have to worry about this issue.
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