Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Help on air compressor recycling times please

Sorry, but I'm obsessed by this subject.

I've been timing the cycles of the compressor, and at a full load it runs for 1.5 minutes and is idle for 3 minutes. I have my equipment regulated at 110 psi and the compressor set at close to 150 psi (it's rated at 175 psi).

Is there anything I could adjust to make the work lighter for the compressor?

tia.

You say at full load . What does it do if no load?
What is the Cu ft output at a given PSI? What is the Cu ft at your full load?

ED ;)

You could fiddle with the control differential to increase the pressure swings but you would not really gain much.
What mainly controls the run time is the capacity of the compressor compared to the load and the size of the air storage tank.
If you were to at least double the size of your air storage the compressor would run longer to build up the pressure and stay off longer while air is being used.
Less cycling is what makes a compressor, motor and pressure switch last longer.
What is often done is a spare compressor and tank will be installed as a back-up and be piped into the air system.
This compressor can either be switched off and used when needed or left on with the pressure controls carefully set to bring the second compressor on when the pressure drops below a minumum pressure.
Commercially, two compressors are often connected to an alternator control so that each compressor takes its turn at being the lead.

To comment on another thread you have going about rebuilding this compressor:
If you have a fairly substantial load on this compressor which it appears you do and the unit is handling it so well, I don't think a rebuild is necessary and likely won't be for quite some time.
Just keep it clean and change the oil often.
If you have oil coming out of the crancase vent, dirty oil will loose its viscosity and is more likely to blow by the rings.
Try 30 weight non-detergent oil to see if this helps.

Rather than a rebuild your time and money may be better spent on the suggestion to add another compressor.

Don't sweat the small stuff. Your pump has an 80/20 duty cycle, which means that you can run it for 8 minutes straight, but then it has to rest for 2 minutes to avoid heat stress damage. You are not even close to exceeding that, plus you regulated it down to lower than max pressure - I'd say the pump is underworked. What this constant start/stop operation is hard on is the motor and the electric controls. As Greg suggested, you may want to look into an auxilary tank or maybe even convert to a constant run unit (similar to a gas engine driven compressor)

What does it do if no load?

Pretty much nothing. ;) (I don't think I understand what "no load" means.)

(I don't think I understand what "no load" means.)

Does it run when you dont have any tools on it?Are use any air?

Does it run when you dont have any tools on it?

We have a couple of components that leak a little air, so it cycles for the same 1:35 every couple of hours. If we shutdown the press totally, I doubt the compressor would run more than once during a 10-12 hour period.

GregH and Markiz,

Thanks for all the support!

I've learned alot and am happy to know that my compressor situation is pretty good overall.

I haven't been keeping the oil level quite high enough, since I believed the low level mark was where I should keep the oil level. But I've been keeping the oil at that level and reasonably clean so it isn't terrible in my opinion. The low level mark is 10 oz. short of 2 qts. I'm not "using" any oil between changes. I just put in the "actual" recommended oil level and haven't noticed any significant change.

My compressor closet needs to have a significant increase in incoming airflow. I have sufficient (warm air) exhaust from the room, but not near enough fresh air supply. I am even considering an outdoor (closeable) vent for fresh air. In the mean time we're just keeping the door open. I'm cutting "vents" into all of the areas of the rooms lowest levels to create sources for fresh air. I have (at best) a 2:1 ventilation on the room. I imagine I really need a 4 or 5:1 ratio.

Thoughts?

Ten ounces on a 2 quart fill is quite a bit low.
The more oil the better the heat transfer but I'm sure you know this.
I wouldn't worry too much about the air change ratio of the room but rather the actual temperature around the compressor.
The actual air change as a ratio would depent on the temperature of the air.
Any way you can get more air is good except you need to make sure it is clean.
You would likely need to have a good air filter on any outside air source becuase when you are dealing with forced ventilation the high air volume will have a lot of dust.

But really, how hot is it?
A 20 degF rise above the room temp would not be a big deal.
IMO frequent oil changes would be your best investment.