APRIL 25, 2019 KAREN CHAMBERS
By David Hollen, Technical Engineer
Frequently a customer will state that they have short pump lives and immediately the blame is placed on the pump. However, often it is not a pump problem at all, but rather a system or operational problem.
Generally, when someone mentions this it is not uncommon to associate the problem with the hydraulic conditions. In fact, oftentimes the issue is not on the liquid side of the pump at all, but instead it is a problem with the air supply.
There are two types of common air supply problems; contaminated or dirty air and air starvation. Just as we need clean air to live, so does a pump. If the pump is clogged with dirt and debris it will be starved for air and not perform properly.
The best way to keep your pump clean from dirty air is to install a filter regulator (Figure 1). A filter regulator is easy to install and provides the precise pressure control necessary to optimize pump performance and efficiency, at the same time preventing airline contaminates from reaching your pump.
The second main air side problem, air starvation, can be caused by several factors; a dirty air filter, a partially closed valve, an undersized airline/fitting or an undersized compressor.
The best way to check if you are experiencing air starvation is to observe the air pressure gauge mounted near the pump. If there is not any swing in the gauge needle when the pump strokes, then you have a very good air supply. A swing of 10% is acceptable. If you get a wide swing, such as 70 PSI to 40 PSI, then the air supply may not be adequate, and the pump is starving for air.
If you are not receiving the proper air supply from your filter regulator, start by cleaning the air filter and check that the valve is clear of debris. Additionally, make sure you have installed the proper size airline, connections and air compressor.
If, after taking the necessary steps, you continue to have performance issues, contact your Yamada distributor for further assistance.
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