You'll suck all the air out of your pipes and collapse any air tanks you have. All your air tools will run backwards and don't even think about trying to paint anything.
Seriously, I don't think the compressor cares which way it turns. But I'm not a compressor expert, I'm just a jerk with an opinion.
It depends on the particular compressor. Sometimes you have to flip the oil pump over, sometimes it doesn't matter, and sometimes you have to stick with the specified direction.
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if it is splash oil, it doesn't matter, the valves are just check valves typically. there may be some minor effect because of the phasing change - the low pressure may be trying to output into a high pressure cylinder that is pressurizing. Worst case, you put a longer pipe between the two.
If it is pumped lubrication, make sure the pump will pump when turning in the direction you want
Hi, generaly multistage reciprocating compressors are double acting. So, there will be no such effect on compression. But if it is fitted with a rotary lub oil pump, lubrication will hamper totally and it will ceased within a short period as the rotation of lub pump will be reversed causing reversing of suction and discharge of pump.These pumps are genraly gear pumps. If it is splash lubricated, then no problem.