Draining air compressor

[MarkLeininger]

Finally finished the new garage and put in a permanent air compressor. I'm thinking of taking out the cheapo drain valve it came with and running 3/8" pipe out the wall of the garage, with a ball valve inside that I can use to blow it out easily. Anyone have any better ideas?

 

[RobS]

The next step up is an auto drain so you don't even have to think about it. Check with a reputable compressor/air tool dealer /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Mark Harbor Freight sells an auto drain for about 10 bucks. When I purchased a new compressor from Home Depot I installed one on the tank. When the compressor cycles off the drain automatically puges the water, it's a nice feature. It's also easy to install and does not require electricity itself to operate.

 

[Bird]

Sounds good to me, Mark. I don't have an experience with the auto drain systems; undoubtedly a good idea, but I know nothing of their reliability and durability. The ball valve is good, and another of our members plumbed his with one of the blow guns on it, so he can just use his toe to open the valve and drain the condensate.

 

[MarkLeininger]

I like that auto drain idea. I've never seen anything like that.
thanks

 

[RobertN]

Yes, my setup has been on the compressor for about four years or so(that oil-less is still holding up, but LOUD). It continues to work fine(did I mention it is LOUD?).

To recap, I took that silly little valve from the bottom of the tank(60g upright). You know, the one that is under the frame, that is too small to get at for people older than 5? The one that sits right square in the middle of ideal black widow territory?

So while I was setting it up, I tilted the whole unit back. I took the liitle valve out, and put a pipe nipple in there. I put an elbow on that, and the a 6" piece of pipe poking out from under the compressor. At the end of the pipe, I put a regular old air nozzle/blower thingy madoogle. It is back far enough to be protected by the compressor, but just in reach of your toes.

When I finish for the day, unplug hoses, cleanup ect, I just lightly press on the air nozzle lever, and blow the water right out of there.

My old compressor rusted out(2hp 22gal horizontal) mostly because the silly drain was just to hard to get at...

Took two beers and $3 in parts.

 

[tracdoc]

Robert,

Great solution you have there! Do you per chance have any pics or a sketch of how you did this? I think I have the </font><font color="blue" class="small">( 2 beers )</font> part of it down OK, just need some of the tech detail.

Thanks for your input...

 

[Junkman]

I would like to see the auto drain in a picture. I use a ball valve and it is a PIA........ junk.... /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Junk I have attached a picture of the auto drain valve installed in the bottom of my compressor air tank. Note that I installed a T and then reused the manual drain that was in the tank when I purchased it. Note that I have never had to manually open the old drain since I installed the new auto drain valve.

The arrow points to the port where the water is bled from the system. The small flexible tube on the right is routed up to the pressure switch. The type of valve opens each and every time the the compressor cycles off, and it will keep your tank dry without thinking about it yourself.

 

[Junkman]

Mike...... you know that I was going to ask this next question..... where is the picture of the plastic tube where it goes into the switch??? I need to know how this whole thing goes together. You are stunting my educational process by not providing the entire picture. Have you ever slept with a horse head?????????????? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif da junksta from Providence RI /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif.....

 

[RobertN]

I will take some pictures this weekend. I had posted before, but can not find the thread /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

 

[PineRidge]

Junk actually I figured that you would ask me for the second picture so I took it last night when I shot the other picture. There isn't a whole lot to see other than the T where the switch connects to my pressure switch unloader. I am sure there is more than one way to install the automatic purge valve but I always shoot for the easiest way! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Hope this all helps you a bit. I don't think you can go wrong for the price of the auto purge valve.

 

[MadReferee]

Junkman, take a look at this link. It explains everything you ever wanted to know about the HF automatic drain. I have one on my 60 gal compressor. Works like a charm.

Auto Drain Instructions

 

[PineRidge]

MadReferee nice job with the valve instructions.

Junk even you should be able to follow those pictures to get one installed on your tank. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[MarkLeininger]

You should write instructions for a living, those are the best I've ever seen. I'm so tired of reading things like "Problems all be happy if read instructions" and having illustrations that look like the wanted posters at the post office. You'd think companies can't afford to buy a digital camera.

I ordered my drain valve yesterday. I think I'll run a plastic tube out the wall because it's really humid in the summer and I don't want to take a chance creating an ice slick in the winter.

 

[Junkman]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Junk even you should be able to follow those pictures to get one installed on your tank. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif )</font>

You are getting closer to receiving the horse head with every post. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Maybe I should send a Boars head instead.... that way, your wife will think it is your twin.... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[Junkman]

Here is a picture of my Quincy QT25 compressor. As you will note, there are a couple of copper lines. The copper line with the twist valve in it, causes the compressor motor to run continuously without shutting off when you turn it. When the compressor brings the tank to the shut off point, the compressor disengages but continues to spin the flywheel. This is for faster recovery. It is a feature that I rarely use. Which line would I cut? Do you have any idea, because I don't.... thanks Junk....

 

[Junkman]

another view......

 

[Junkman]

one more........

 

[MadReferee]

Gentlemen (and I use that word very loosely),

I cannot take credit for that write-up. I got the link from someone on the PracticalMachinist forum.

Junkman, one of those copper tubes must be the unloader but I have no idea which one. My compressor is similar to the one in the write-up so I had no problem figuring mine out. If you have a parts diagram of your compressor you might have more luck finding the unloader line. On mine, if the unloader line is broken the compressor will always run.