[Shop-talk] Cooling of air compressor

[Jimmie Mayfield]

I use my small 25 gallon air compressor to winterize my sprinkler 
system.  The pros use a tow-behind compressor that produces enough cfm 
that they can blow out each zone in a minute or less.  My little 
compressor can't come close to that so it takes 4-5 tank-fulls per 
zone.  So the compressor winds up running for 90+ minutes continuously 
while I cycle through the system.  One year I noticed the compressor 
fins were so hot that I couldn't touch them for more than a second or 
so. Ever since then, I've aimed an 18" metal floor fan at the compressor 
when I need to run it continuously like that.  Now the compressor 
housing and motor don't go above lukewarm to the touch.

I don't know if it's absolutely necessary but I have to think that 
cooler is better in this case.

On 2020-10-23 17:39, Robert Nogueirao wrote:
> I’ve got a two stage 80 gallon Campbell Hausfeld compressor which is mounted in a small shead atached to the back of the garage. It has served well for the past twenties years giving me no problems. It Is seeing far least uses in the last few years oon
> Y providing tire air and the occasional blowing off of dust.
>      I went into the shead yesterday to drain water from the tank and it appears a rodent had taken up residents there making a nest in the squirrel cage fan which is fitted to the compressor to cool the cylinders. The flywheel also has fan type blades but they appear to be more of a ‘ what to hell why not’ addition than a attempt to provide air movement. Anyway when the compressor started up with the new nest inside the squirrel cage blower the fan was blown to bits but nothing else was damaged.
> THE PROBLEM:   Campbell Hausfeld no longer carries parts and a search online found no blowers which look like the would work. So the question is is the cooling air blowing over the cylinders important enough that I should shut the compressor Down until blower can be found or will occasional use be okay.?
>
> Bob Nogueira
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