Eagle RECIPROCATING, Owner'S Manual

Page: 6 / 20

6
Location
Locate the compressor in an area that is clean, well lighted, and well ventilated, with sufficient space for safe and proper
inspection and maintenance. The compressor is capable of operating in an ambient temperature up to 40°C provided that
the area is well ventilated. Inspection and maintenance checks are required daily; therefore, sufficient uncluttered space
needs to be provided around the compressor. The compressor must not be installed closer than sixteen (16) inches to a
wall or to another compressor to allow ample circulation of air across the compressor cylinders and head, and through the
coolers if they are part of the system. Additional safety can be achieved by location the pulley drive system, with the guard,
if supplied, on the wall side. Do not install the compressor in a boiler room, paint spray room or area where sandblasting
is carried out. If air in the area where the compressor is to be installed is acid-laden, or dust-laden, the compressor intake
should be piped to the outside. (See Induction System)
Mounting
Mount the compressor on a concrete pad or floor making certain that the receiver feet are level and that no stress is placed
on the legs when the mounting nuts are tightened, shim feet if necessary. Severe vibrations will result when feet are uneven
and drawn tightly to the pad, which can lead to welds cracking or fatigue failure of the receiver.
Induction System
Avoid locating the compressor air inlet system where it could ingest toxic, volatile or corrosive vapors, air temperatures
exceeding 40°C, water, or extremely dirty air. Ingesting any of the above noted atmospheres by the compressor could
jeopardize the performance of the equipment and all personnel exposed to the total compressed air system.
Depending on the size of the compressor and the size and construction of the compressor room, it may be necessary to
locate the air pickup point outside the room. This intake pipe should be increased one pipe size for every ten (10) feet of
run or any 90° elbow and the intake filters should be installed at the end of the pipes with a hood to protect them from the
elements. Destructive pulsations that will damage walls and break windows can be induced by reciprocating compressors.
Vibrations can be minimized by adding a pulsation dampener on the inlet pipe of the compressor.
Noise
Noise is a potential health hazard that must be considered. There are Local and Federal laws specifying maximum
acceptable noise levels that must not be exceeded. Most of the noise from a reciprocating compressor emanates from the
air inlet point and therefore may require a silencer. Methods that can be used to reduce noise to a listener may include,
total enclosures, walls, or moving and/or rotating the noise source. Care must be taken when erecting total enclosures or
walls because, if not properly done, they could contribute to the noise level or cause overheating problems. Contact your
authorized Eagle Distributor if assistance is required.
Soldering
Never join pipes or fittings by soldering; lead-tin solder alloys melt in the range of the compressor discharge temperature.
Silver soldering and hard soldering are forms of brazing and should not be confused with lead-tin soldering. Silver soldering
and hard soldering is brazing with silver-alloy types of filler material; this type of soldering is acceptable.
Power Supply and Wiring
Be sure that your power supply and internal wiring are adequate and that the available frequency and voltage correspond
to that on the motor nameplate. A 230-volt motor will rarely work satisfactorily on a nominal 208-volt system.
Even if the actual voltage is up to 208 volts the 10-volt to 12-volt drop during the starting period (this is an average, but
not a high figure for commercial buildings) may cause the motor to labor and blow fuses or heater elements. Do not accept
the nominal figure for line voltage, but rather measure it with a voltmeter during a period of maximum power demand.
INSTALLING YOUR COMPRESSOR