How Do I Winterise my Air Compressor

January 20, 2023

The why and how to help protect your air compressor

Some parts of the country have skipped over the Autumn season and are currently experiencing winter. With these air compressor tips, you compressed air system will be ready with the ideal temperature, despite outside weather. Regardless of whether or not it actually freezes where you live, most winterisation service recommendations are basic maintenance procedured to help extend your air compressors life and operational efficiencies whether you live in the Northen Territory or Canberra.

Watch for Water

The condensate in your machine contains mostly water, this could freeze if the temperature gets too cold. The way your compressor run will be affected by frozen condensate causes crack or holes or blocking the drainage. Also, freezing weather can cause moisture control to be less effective, leading to corrosion.

Let's Get Started With Winterising:

Ice build up: Before you start up the compressor in the morning, always check for any ice build-up or excessive moisture. Remove any ice and check to ensure there is no leak.
Weather stripping: Check the installation and stripping on your air compressor. This is there to protect your compressor from the changing weather. Replace immediately if the stripping is worn or torn.
New filters: Changing your filters should be done routinely, but it is especially important to change filters in winter. Oil thickens with the cold weather and doesn't flow easily, making your compressor work harder. New filters will help counterweight the effects of thicker oil.
Exposed drain lines: If your drain lines run outside, they must be protected from the winter weather. Outdoor drain lines could lead to frozen pipes and an air compresor that will either work more slowly or may not work at all. Applying heat trace tape on exposed drain lines outside is a way to prevent frozen pipes. Heat trace tape is easy to assemble by wrapping the tape around pipes working to control the temperature, eliminating frozen pipes.
Internal heater: If your air compressor is still being affected by the cold temperatures, installing a heating cabinet or internal heater will allow you to regulate the temperature of your system.

Burrrr

Winter will be here before we know it. Protect your compressed air system from frozen pipes, blocked drainage, cracks and corrosion by following these simple steps. Please contact [email protected] for any questions or assistance on winterising your compressor. For tech support on any Ceccato product, please give us a call on 1300 555 284.