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Automatuc Compressor Drain Valve Kit

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Focker, Feb 7, 2018.

  1. Feb 8, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  2. Feb 8, 2018
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Not just compressors, I found this after i opened up an old air pig-

    [​IMG]

    That's *after* I media blasted it.

    I now have a manual valve on the bottom of my compressor piped outside, there's always quite a bit of water come out after some run time. I had a timed 1/4" solenoid valve hooked up but it plugged up with crap pretty quickly. :(
     
  3. Feb 8, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    I kneel at the feet of Science! :D

    But I have about six compressors. I rarely if ever drain them. None has ever rusted out.
    On the other hand I have replaced a number of belts, motors, pistons, etc

    One is at least thirty years old - with no leaks yet.

    Yesterday I received a new compressor delivered to my door for under $100.

    So, at three dollars per year (or less) burn-rate, it's clearly not worth my time to drain them.

    In reality, other factors are much more significant to their life span.

    And we still haven't proven that draining reduces rusting...

    :watch:
     
    Last edited: Feb 8, 2018
    ITLKSEZ likes this.
  4. Feb 8, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I don't think anyone said don't drain the moisture, we were talking about is it beneficial to drain all of the pressure off. I do like the drain you linked to.
     
  5. Feb 8, 2018
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    virginia
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    Wow timgr, lot of good info, except way over my head. I open the ball valve, with hose to outside, every few days to drain it. Just enough to get rid of the water, not depressurize.
     
  6. Feb 8, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    But you do periodically drain the moisture, right?
     
  7. Feb 8, 2018
    mullen46cj2a

    mullen46cj2a Member

    Harrisville, WV
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    I wonder how an automatic filter would work?
    [​IMG]
    Picture is a manual drain, but Dixon sells an automatic drain, part number
    F07-200AC. It does require 6 inches of clearance from intake port to floor if used on tank bottom drain. As I understand it, once reservoir is filled with water the drain opens and releases the moisture, then seals back off.
     
  8. Feb 8, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Seems clear that rate of oxidation is the limiting factor. Seems likely more water is going to make that go faster - can't easily calculate that - but I expect standing water on top of iron is going to oxidize at some slow rate, and more water will go faster. My Spidey sense said that availability of O2 is not an issue, and that's something I could calculate ... so I did.
     
  9. Feb 8, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    I always kind of related the 2...Drain the pressure because moisture is creating rust and the tank could blow!

    So with all the great comments...
    I'm going to start leaving my compressor under pressure and continue to release the moisture manually. (y)
     
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  10. Feb 8, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    If I understand your post correctly, when you said you drain your compressor you mean just the moisture since you said you leave pressure on it. Correct?
     
  11. Feb 8, 2018
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Yep.
     
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  12. Feb 8, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Maybe like once a year, at most, when I happen to think about it.
     
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  13. Feb 8, 2018
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Me too. When I start noticing a loss in capacity, it's time to roll it out and drain the gallons of rusty water.

    When she blows, it'll give me a real excuse to upgrade. :D
     
  14. Feb 8, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Wow! Of course I will make the assumption that humidity in New England is not even close to what it is here.
     
  15. Feb 8, 2018
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Depends. Half the year it's zero per cent, the other half it is 90% or more.

    It's hard to drain ice from a tank, anyway!
     
  16. Feb 8, 2018
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    Well, I'm officially disappointed that you guys don't drain the moisture as often as I thought. ;)
     
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  17. Feb 9, 2018
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    I used to own a Dive shop in an earlier life. Air fills were the life-blood of that business. At peak times, I had to run three high pressure compressors, all of which used automatic condensate drains. I had them timed to blow down about every 10-12 minutes because of the high humidity. This made my filters last much longer (breathable compressed air has to be perfectly dry).
    For a large production shop, I can see the benefits of an auto-drain system, but for a home shop, I think it isn't necessary. I have a 1/4 turn ball valve (with about 2' of nylon hose attached) on the bottom of my 80 gal tank. I rigged a heavy wire "pull/push" handle to operate the valve without having to reach under, and drain the condensate every couple hours of running. I have humidity that seldom is under 80%, and often much higher.
    Once again, keeping the discharge air dry is good for about every use, from air tools, and especially painting.
    I've never heard of a storage tank rupturing or exploding from rusting out, but have seen plenty that develop pin holes and leak.
    -Donny
     
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  18. Feb 9, 2018
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    I leave my compressor full of air at all times. I have a ball valve on the tank I shut off when done for the day. This keeps the air in the tank and from draining down from small leaks in the hoses/fittings and also keeps problems from occurring should a hose or fitting blow. I shut off the compressor motor when not in use.
    Lots of times the compressor motor won't even kick on if all I'm doing is filling a tire or blowing off a part.
    Around here we have enough humidity that not draining the tank leads to other problems. Air tools do not like moisture and neither does a sandblast cabinet. Even with two separators I have at times got air in the lines on a high humidity day with lots of heavy use if I've neglected to drain the tank.
    Water in the tank also reduces air capacity so reduces air available to perform the work.
     
  19. Feb 9, 2018
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Lower drain.
    [​IMG]

    After use I shut off the output to the tools and then open that red drain to bleed air out of the line and whatever moisture may have occurred there too.
    [​IMG]
     
  20. Feb 9, 2018
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

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    That's what my tank drain set up looked like on my 60 gallon. Only problem I had, and never rectified, was that when draining the water, it would spew out under pressure and make a mess. I would put a metal drain pan at the end to try to catch it but it still sprayed out at high pressure and made a mess. What do you guys do to contain the mess?
     
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