Air compressor question

[jymbee]

We were given an Sears Craftsman air compressor. No manual but I did manage to find one online. It came with this blue Campbell Hausfeld system installed which obviously is a custom install but I'm not exactly sure what it's supposed to do. Appears to be some kind of in-line filter?

 

[BigBoyToys]

It filters dirt and water from entering your tools.
Usually have the bowl is pointing down so you can use the drain valve on the bottom to remove any water.

 

[kenmac]

don't know how much good it will do in that position..It should be mounted vertical (drain down) not horizontal

 

[jymbee]

It's filter dirt and water from entering your tools.
Usually have the bowl is pointing down so you can use the drain valve on the bottom to remove any water.

Great-- thanks for the info (Kenmac as well). I'll have to see if there's some way to position it correctly. Perhaps an extension long enough to clear the front of the tank.

Another question: The folks that gave us this unit said that it should be drained of ALL air after each use-- I assume they meant at the end of the day but while I'm no authority on air compressors, I've never heard that was a best practice. I usually disconnect the power but don't deflate the air tank. Have I been doing it wrong all this time?

 

[CCWKen]

Yes, you should drain the tank at the end of the day to let the water/moisture out. Otherwise, it speeds rusting of the tank. The tanks will rust from the inside out. And if you've never had a tank "let go", it can just be a hiss or a BANG. If you want it to last longer, drain the tank.

 

[Wagtail]

That's what I've always done... finished with the compressor, de-pressurise the line then fully de-pressurise the tank. (Then put everything away so that I can find them again in the future )

My manual recommended this as best practice IOT eliminate moisture in the tank. My BIL has a stand-up compressor + a PIG and he drains the system on both of them after use.

 

[zombie]

Yep yep. I can't tell for sure if your compressor is oiless or not. If it does take oil, be sure to ONLY use compressor oil in it. Gotta love freebies.

 

[FTG-05]

There is no reason to completely empty the tank after each use or even each day. Just drain, from the bottom, until no more water comes out, done.

 

[Rustyferrious]

They do make automatic drains for compressors. It screws into the drain hole and discharges water as it builds up. You need enough ground clearance for the fitting but they make them pretty compact. Not for use in below freezing environments.

 

[xzcVAbc5]

Another question: The folks that gave us this unit said that it should be drained of ALL air after each use-- I assume they meant at the end of the day but while I'm no authority on air compressors, I've never heard that was a best practice. I usually disconnect the power but don't deflate the air tank. Have I been doing it wrong all this time?

Its nice they told you that which means they actually open the drain from time to time.

I did a service trip to a place where they needed compressed air to the system I was working on. The guy brought back a compressor from the fertilizer bulding (where they store and move bulk dry fertilizer). I thought it sounded a little sloshy and felt heavier than expected so I told him we need to drain the tank. Opened the valve but it wouldn't drip at all. He took the drain valve off and then it finally started puking out water. Out of a 30 gallon tank I bet there was 10 gallons that came out. The compressor worked for the rest of the day. The next week they had a brand new upright compressor waiting for me to use.

 

[Bird]

There is no reason to completely empty the tank after each use or even each day. Just drain, from the bottom, until no more water comes out, done.

I keep my compressor pressurized all the time because I used it almost daily, but I do have a gate valve that I open just to shoot out a little water every day.

 

[bigtiller]

I clamped on an 8' piece of rubber gas-line to the bottom of my tank, coiled it up and placed it under the tank. Condensation will drip into it, leaving the tank dry. I blow the line out every now & then. Once a week in the summer and maybe once a month in the winter.

 

[jerrybob]

Point that filter down like others have suggested.....use your filter release valve and drain your tank every few weeks........that tank will outlast all the components by years. Have fun.

 

[rswyan]

They do make automatic drains for compressors. It screws into the drain hole and discharges water as it builds up. You need enough ground clearance for the fitting but they make them pretty compact. Not for use in below freezing environments.

Generally around $10 at Harbor Freight ...

Or Grainger has 'em for probably 10X that (at least)

Dumps the water every time the compressor cycles ...