Starting and stopping your compressor: Just press the start or stop button and it will start or stop, right?!

Yes. True!

But you will shorten the life of your compressor and risk a whole lot of other things!

Always check the manual for the correct way to start and stop your compressor!T

he following is true for most portable / tow-behind / mobile / diesel-driven air compressor, and is probably true for any portable air compressor out there. But again, check your manual!

To start your portable diesel compressor:

• Check everything: oil level, battery, fuel level, etc. (check your manual).
• Close the air outlet valves.
• Switch to ' on' . The engine will now pre-heat (glow-plugs)
• Press start.

The engine will start, increase speed until the maximum pressure is reached and will go to idle/standby speed.

Wait a few minutes before using the compressor. Give the engine and the compressor time to warm up and 'get into shape'.

As soon as you open the air outlet valve, the pressure will drop and the engine will speed up to supply more air.

Allow the compressor to warm up before doing all the hard work, just like you do in the gym (you do do a warm-up before your exercises, right?!)

To stop your portable compressor:

• Close all outlet valves.
• Wait until the maximum pressure is reached and the compressor goes to unload and minimum speed.
• Let it run for a few minutes to cool down.
• Stop the compressor.

Why stop like this?

If you stop the compressor while it is running loaded (that is, pumping air), you stop it while the engine is running fast and the air inlet valve is open.

If you suddenly stop when the air inlet valve is open, the oil that is inside the compressor is looking for a way out (it is still under pressure).

And it will find its way out!

Through the air inlet valve. And out through the air filter.

Result: lots of oil coming out of your inlet air filter, and an angry customer calling the service desk... while it actually was your own fault :)

Seriously, I saw this problem so many times! And actually, not many people where 'angry', but most felt there was something wrong with the compressor.

Read the manual and save yourself the trouble of cleaning your whole portable air compressor, changing the air filters (of course, they were just brand new ;) and calling for help or looking for the cause.

Control panel of portable compressor

Read the manual!

Once you bought a portable air compressor: read the manual!

All of the information (and more) can be found in the manual. Make sure you know how to start and stop your compressor and how to take care of it.

With the right maintenance, a compressor can last a life time!