Opening the moisture bleed valves on a compressor more frequently than every 10 minutes is overkill and results in the compressor running much longer than necessary without benefit. The compressor must repressurize each time the bleed valve is opened. A quick one or two second blast every 10 minutes from the bleed valves is all that is needed. If you have an aftermaket large gold water separator tower like the one shown in this thread then you only need to drain the valve on it once every 15-20 minutes. The moisture holding capacity of these water separators is HUGE.
Another unnecessary practice is changing compressor oil every 5 hours or less. After an initial oil change to remove metal shavings, etc. it's only necessary to change the oil in a small compressor every 10-20 hours or annually, whichever is less. A commercial grade dive compressor only requires annual oil changes or after 100 hours. It is more important to use quality high pressure compressor oil and change it less often than to use petroleum based motor oils with detergent additives or #46 hydraulic fluid and change it more often.
Unfortunately, a few often repeated off base “rules” get reposted and people start believing they are facts rather than fiction.
Another unnecessary practice is changing compressor oil every 5 hours or less. After an initial oil change to remove metal shavings, etc. it's only necessary to change the oil in a small compressor every 10-20 hours or annually, whichever is less. A commercial grade dive compressor only requires annual oil changes or after 100 hours. It is more important to use quality high pressure compressor oil and change it less often than to use petroleum based motor oils with detergent additives or #46 hydraulic fluid and change it more often.
Unfortunately, a few often repeated off base “rules” get reposted and people start believing they are facts rather than fiction.
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