Gardner Denver shutdown 122: why is package discharge air too hot?
Short answer: High package discharge (plant air) temperature. If your Gardner Denver AirSmart controller is showing SHUTDOWN #122 HIGH PKG DISCH TMP, the controller has logged a specific, documented condition. This page covers what it means, what causes it, what you can safely fix yourself, and when — and why — it takes a technician.
What exactly is the machine telling you?
Air leaving the package exceeded 158°F (70°C), indicating the aftercooler is not removing enough heat.
Which machines show this?
Gardner Denver rotary screw compressors fitted with the first-generation AirSmart microprocessor controller — a wide range of oil-injected packages, including VFD-equipped variable-speed units where the controller supervises the drive. The first-generation AirSmart reports problems as numbered codes: SHUTDOWN #1xx and #2xx faults that stop the machine, and ADVISORY #3xx warnings that let it keep running while flagging maintenance. That numbering matters when you search — the later AirSmart G2 dropped the numbers and displays plain-text fault names instead, so a numbered code on the screen tells you that you are on the earlier controller. Shutdowns clear with Stop/Reset once the machine has stopped; advisories acknowledge with the Enter key.
What causes it?
- Aftercooler faces blinded with dust so heat isn't leaving the package air
- Hot compressor room or poor ventilation raising the cooling air temperature
- The machine running flat out in conditions the aftercooler can't keep up with
- Internal aftercooler fouling that surface cleaning won't reach (the repeat case)
Can you fix it yourself?
Usually, yes — clean the cooler faces with the machine off, improve ventilation, and ease the load. If plant air still leaves hotter than 158°F after that, the cooler needs service.
Step by step — what to try, in order:
- Improve room ventilation and lower ambient temperature if possible
- With the machine off and cooled, clean dust and debris from the cooler faces
- Reduce load on the compressor if it has been running flat out
- Press Stop/Reset and restart while monitoring the plant temperature reading
When do you need a technician — and why?
Internal cooler fouling can't be cleared from outside; it takes partial teardown of the cooling circuit, and confirming it requires temperature measurements across the cooler that need proper instruments.
If it does come to a service call and you're in Nashville, TN or Birmingham, AL, we maintain independently compiled lists of local companies that service industrial air compressors — real businesses with verified contact information, none of whom paid to be listed.
Related questions
What does SHUTDOWN #122 HIGH PKG DISCH TMP mean on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller?
High package discharge (plant air) temperature. Air leaving the package exceeded 158°F (70°C), indicating the aftercooler is not removing enough heat.
Can I fix SHUTDOWN #122 HIGH PKG DISCH TMP on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller myself?
Usually, yes — clean the cooler faces with the machine off, improve ventilation, and ease the load. If plant air still leaves hotter than 158°F after that, the cooler needs service.
When does SHUTDOWN #122 HIGH PKG DISCH TMP on a Gardner Denver AirSmart controller need a technician?
Internal cooler fouling can't be cleared from outside; it takes partial teardown of the cooling circuit, and confirming it requires temperature measurements across the cooler that need proper instruments. Call a technician if temperatures stay high after cleaning and ventilation fixes — internal cooler fouling requires service.
Verified against service documentation: Gardner Denver AirSmart controller documentation for SHUTDOWN #122 HIGH PKG DISCH TMP (best-aire.com)