Air compressor line questions

[DocHeb]

I put my compressor in a remote location to keep the noise of the compressor away from where I'm working. I used the heavier sweated copper (Type L) and it has worked out well. It is easier to put in than cutting and threading pipe. Some will say to use PVC (and it's pros and cons have been debated here before), I think is unsafe as it has a higher chance of failure from fatigue and trauma, especially when cold and under pressure.

I put a "normally open" solenoid (energized with a 120v coil) at the bottom of the tank so that the tank drains whenever the AC is cut to the plug, and closes the solenoid whenever the plug is energized. I also wired in two remote three way switches to control a motor control relay (sized for my compressor). The coil on the motor control relay is run by a 120v AC. This allows me to turn the compressor on from the two remote 3-way switch locations, and when I turn it off it drains the tank through the solenoid.

There is a crude wiring diagram attached.

 

[Egon]

Dagnab it Bird; how was I to know it's not that cold down there.

Back when I was employed low air pressure was one of two things I'd run for as most of the controllers and ESD system were on a fail safe air system and that could make for a hard day at work if the air failed. The other was a gas alarm but then I was going the other way.

Egon

 

[Egon]

Gary:

Oh boy; now we can upgrade the building and perhaps the control/alarm,shutdown systems. But that may take some time and thought so perhaps an interm temporary/permanent setup will be required using whatever comes to hand at the right price and ease of installation.

Just remember to take your air supply off the top of the distribution line and provide a dead leg with blowoff at the end of distribution system.

Egon

 

[DavidInNH]

<font color="blue"> The weak point is the plastic to metal threaded joints- that must be done correctly. </font>

My dad ran Schedule 40 PVC for years in an auto-repair shop. The only problem we ever had was where the metal quick connect screwed into the plastic. A metal hose clamp around the plastic works great to keep the plastic from splitting when somebody steps on the hose.

-david