I have the Rollaire 2 hp pancake oil lube compressor. When it’s cold (20’s and still colder) the compressor gets an attitude on start up. Oil / cold / molasses syndrome.
Went to synthetic oil and that helped a little. In the sub zero temps “I get no respect.” Also tried infrared heater (fragile and not the safest plan) aimed at the crank case. HEY! Do you smell something burning? Tried small electric heater. (inadequate) Been considering electric heat tape wrapped on the crank case but not to sure about that.
Anybody have a plan “B”?
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If the problem is the high viscosity of the lube oil making things too sticky, it would seem you need a (much) lighter viscosity oil, not just a synthetic. Just remember to change it when ambient goes back up. Avoid extension cords, and when you must use them, use very heavy gauge cord. Induction motor start-up torque drops precipitously with voltage drop. Use long hoses, instead.
Be seeing you...
Are you starting it up with no pressure in the air tank? If there is pressure in the air tank, the motor has to work against that also at start up.
At first start up on cold days I will usually run my compressor with the air drain valves open for a bit ( 10 secs on, sit 10 -20 secs, 10 secs on,) just to warm everything up. Then close the air drain valves and fill the tanks up for real. For the most part this has worked for me.
Ditto on the extension cord bit.
-M2akita
Early this week temps were down to -10. No air pressure in the tank. No extension cord. 10w synthic oil. Compressor hates the cold. Was hoping for a novel keep it warm or heat me up idea(s). Last winter temps got to -30. Labors hard enough to trip 20a circut.
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I've run into similar problems with my 5hp garage compressor. 10W-30 Synthetic was the right start, I use 5W-30, maybe you need 0W-30, use Mobil 1 or Royal Purple. If that doesn't work you have another problem.
Just a few tips from the Great White North. Use light weight synthetic oil. Start with empty tank and very short and heavy cord. Build a hot box out of scrap plywood and a porcelain light fixture and 100 w bulb, more if really cold. Hot box also helps if you need a place to charge batteries on a cold site. Also, if it is really cold, put that compressor in the cab with you on the ride out to the site.
The hot box is built. Used a very small 1500w heater. The kind that is suppose to go under the desk for cold feet. Room for the chargers. Probably throw in my lunch. Warm lunches are ok. No room inthe cab. Thanks.
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I. Just a comment , don't forget the ice crystals inside the air hose's . If you got a 105 psi behind little pieces of "sharp glass" they will cut up "O" rings in your guns , I figured it out the had way. (expensive repair ) I've got into the habit of sticking a 16 in the end of an air hose to release the ice. The first time I did it I looked down at my brown jersy gloves and there and there was crystal 's in the palm of my hand. Oh , I saw the weather map earilier 90 in Fla. keep the faith , it" comming.
Ice crystals. That explains a lot. Same O ring promblem. Gonna use a blow gun instead of a 16. Thanks for that tip.
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I. Youre right about the blow gun, that 's what we use . The first time I tried it was an experiment and actually I didn't use a 16 I used a drywall screw form my nail bag , didn't want to admit it , thought Piffin might be lurking around here and you know how he is about the multiple uses of Drywall screws. hehehe
Rarely do DW. Some how I still use cases of the things. They are great problem solvers. Let's hear it for the multi-tasking DW screw. Cheers.
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Do you leave it on the job ? If not put it in the cab and let it warm on the way to the job. Might work but I could be rong :-)
Daniel
if your having troble with cold weather do what I do up here tape together some styrofoam ins, or plasyic into a box or hood , then get a cheap but decent hair dryer and put it n next to the compressor for a little while ( youll figure out how long ) it should keep it warm enough to run