Dealing with air compressor condensation

[redsox1]

I've got a 30 gallon air compressor tank and am wondering how everyone deals w/ the issue of removing condensation from their tanks between use. I only use mine occassionally so it seems wasteful to fill the tank to start a small job and then drain it completely at the end of the day. Instead, what I've been doing is leave it charged all the time (with the switch off) between uses and then every once in a while (weekly) I'll open up the drain for a couple of seconds to remove what water has accumulated. It's usually less than a teaspoon full of water. My shop is in an insulated basement so heat/humidty is low. My thought is that whatever water accumulates will be in the bottom of the tank anyway so what good does it do to drain entirely vs a quick blast to drain once in a awhile. Thoughts?? I'd like my compressor to last a long time without rusting out.

 

[Redneck in training]

That is how it is normally done. Get rid of the water and close the drain. There are also automatic drain valves.

Air Compressor Automatic Drain Valve

 

[Bird]

I have a vertical 30 gallon compressor, so I removed the drain valve from the middle of the bottom of the tank and installed an elbow with a 6" piece of pipe out to the edge of the tank and a ball valve. The lever type valve makes it quick and easy to open for a second.

I, too, never drain the air pressure because I use the compressed air so often, but I quickly open and close that drain valve every time the compressor is run and sometimes in between. So the amount of moisture is no more than what would be in that 6" pipe.

 

[JerryK]

I have a vertical 30 gallon compressor, so I removed the drain valve from the middle of the bottom of the tank and installed an elbow with a 6" piece of pipe out to the edge of the tank and a ball valve. The lever type valve makes it quick and easy to open for a second.

I, too, never drain the air pressure because I use the compressed air so often, but I quickly open and close that drain valve every time the compressor is run and sometimes in between. So the amount of moisture is no more than what would be in that 6" pipe.

I do about the same thing. I mount my air compressor up on the barn wall and tap it from the bottom drain plug. Put a BIG drip leg downstream...just before my reelcord and female quick connects...and drain it as often as I think about it. I have a ball valve on the bottom of the drip leg and just crack it open real quick.

 

[redsox1]

Thanks for the feedback, sounds like I'm on the right track. I also put an extension w/ ball valve off the bottom drain to make it easier to reach and empty. Just wasn't sure if it was neccessary to completely empty the tank once in awhile to really dry it out. I guess with the small amount of water I'm removing now I should be alright.

 

[Bird]

My current compressor is only 6 years old, and I drained all the air out of it once. And the only reason I did it that one time was curiosity to see how long it would take it to build up to its shut off pressure of 155 psi.:laughing:

 

[redsox1]

Seems like a lot of noise and wear and tear for nothing then. I'll stick w/ what I'm doing, thanks again. Any other opinions out there?

 

[viceprincipal]

Seems like a lot of noise and wear and tear for nothing then. I'll stick w/ what I'm doing, thanks again. Any other opinions out there?

I haven't seen anyone disagree with you? Or was there a post that got deleted?

 

[redsox1]

No disagreements, I just meant no use in draining the tank if there is no clear benefit. This has to be one of the few threads I've seen that everyone agrees on one plan of action.

 

[grsthegreat]

I thought about adding an auto drain on my tank,. but the compressor shop talked me out of it. Told me there really designed for industrial units that are constantly running, not ones just full of air. If i understand this correctly, the moisture is mostly created when the motor becomes hot from continuous use, and the air coming in is real cold. So a tank just sitting with air in it doesnt have the same issues.

At any rate, i try to drain mine about once a month, and i hardly ever get any moisture showing up. My refrigerated dryer gets any that does survive.