Westinghouse 5026 Instruction Pamphlet page 18

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H
CROSS COMPOUND AIR COMPRESSORS
The suction filter or strainer should be installed
vertically, as shown in the various illustrations, and
bolted under the running board at some protected point
where the cleanest and driest air is available-never
where a probable steam leak may saturate the air at the
intake. Only one suction strainer is required per com­
pressor and this may be connected to the two inlet open­
ings by piping or by means of a Single Air Inlet Fitting.
STARTING AND RUNNING. The drain cocks ar2
placed at the lowest points of the steam passages, as
shown, for the purpose of draining condensed steam when
the compressor is stopped and when starting it. They
should always be left open when the compressor is to
stand idle for any length of time. These drain cocks are
provided with suitable union fittings, so that drain pipes
may be connected if desired.
In starting the compressor, always run it slowly until
it becomes warm, permitting the condensed steam
tAl
escape through the drain cocks and the exhaust, until
there is sufficient pressure in the main reservoir
(25
to
30 pounds) to provide an air cushion. Then close drain
cocks and open the steam (throttle) valve sufficiently to
run the compressor at the proper speed, according to cir­
cumstances. Racing or running at excessive speeds
should not be allowed. The compressor governor auto­
matically controls the starting and stopping of the com­
pressor.
To STOP THE COMPRESSOR. 0) Close the feed and
steam valves on the sight-feed lubricator, if the com­
pressor has a separate one, or the feed, if supplied from·
the locomotive lubricator; (2) then close the steam
(throttle) valve; (3) and open all the drain cocks on the
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35
I:-iSTALLATION AND OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
compressor. Keep the steam valve closed and the drain
cocks open when the compressor is not working. The
main reservoir drain cocks should also be left open when
the compressor is stopped for any length of time. The
compressor should always be stopped while the locomo­
tive is over the ash pit. If permitted to run, ashes and
dust will be drawn into the air cylinder and injure it,
besides clogging up the air strainer.
LUBRICATION. On account of the high temperatures
developed by air compression, the variation between
maximum and minimum delivered air pressures, and the
necessity of preventing oil from passing into the system,
one of the vital problems in efficient compressor oper­
ation is to provide a simple means for supplying lubrica­
tion to the air compressor in proper quantity and at·
regular intervals. Non-automatic methods may be em­
ployed and satisfactory results obtained as long as care
and attention are exercised to provide just enough lubri­
cation to keep the compressor in a properly lubricated
condition, but experience has shown that this is very
difficult to obtain. The ideal method is obviously that
which involves feeding the proper amount of lubricating
oil during each cycle of the pistons and causing this feed­
ing of oil to cease when the compressor stops operating.
These "automatic" requirements are fully satisfied by
the Type (IF-J-A'' Mechanically Operated Lubricator,
with which the only manual operation necessary is that
of filling with oil at the required intervals.
See section beginning on page 43 for description,
operation, etc., of the "F-I-A" Lubricator.
While the Type "F-I-A" Lubricator is regularly sup­
plied with cross compound air compressors, many com­