air compressor rotation

[J_P]

I'm putting a new electric motor on an old upright Curtis stationary air compressor but I"m unsure of the proper rotation, clockwise or counter clockwise. Will it function in either direction? How do I know if it's going the correct direction? I don't want to find out the hard way, if you know what I mean. Thanks

 

[Dalex]

Sometimes an arrow is cast into the spokes of the pulley . are they clean enough to see it ?

 

[Bob M]

Assuming you've got a conventional reciprocating (piston-type) pump look at the fan blades cast into the pump drive sheave. Generally there will be a rotation arrow cast into one of the blades. If there is no arrow sheave rotation should be so the fan blades will blow cooling air TOWARD the pump.

Incidentally most compressors work fine with the crankshaft running "backward". But they'll tend to run hot when worked hard.

 

[old]

I have never seen a compressor that does not have on it some place an arrow to say which way it should spin. Look it over real good and there should be one on it

 

[Lamar Fudd]

If the rod has a dipper, the wrong way can starve it. Curtis is still in business; give them a call tuesday. My BIL has a curtis compressor that he wanted to find the age of-he called them with the serial # and they told him 1012!. Very surprised they had information on something that old.

 

[Dean]

I agree with Lamar. Most air compressors use connecting rod dippers to lubricate the crankshaft. DO NOT operate it counter to intended rotation.

Dean

 

[Dave Sherburne NY]

As usual, Bob M has got it right.