Aircompressor Maintenance

[maxair45]

I did go threw with what I planned and bought the aircompressor from HF. I love it(a bit nosity but you get used to it)! Great for blowing stuff off and i'll be getting an airbrush soon so i'll run it through its paces there but I did run into a question. After i'm done using the aircompressor there is a air presser release valve I can open and it'll release all the built up air I still have compressed. Should I leave the tank pressurized with air in it or should I empty it out?

Thanks

[redshift]

Most people will only be concerned abot draining the water daily

(DO it)

But it really depends on your own personal comfort level and where it's located, most tanks are rated very conservatively, and I certainly would not worry about it exploding or anything like that. Even tho most consumer compressors top out at about 175 psi,. 250 psi would be the minimum rating in order to sell it
as 175... but do look into a cheap filter for your line especially for painting- I made one with a Purolator fuel filter, works incredibly well and it cost like $4, just has to be one with pipe fittings on both ends, and I don't go over 50 psi when I am using it, as that could potentially pop.

[maxair45]

Draining water? I'm pretty sure there is no water in it....I will look into a filter for it when I di airbrush and the compressor maxes out at 110 psi. I did consider getting an air tank with the noise level and all but I think it'll take up too much space(space in my garage is kinda limited).

[MetalMan]

HF sells an in-line moisture filter that I use on my air compressor, and as redshift mentioned this is a good choice because moisture can make painting rather difficult.

As for water in the tank... think about it this way. There is moisture in the air, and the compressor brings that air into the tank. At higher pressures water vapor will condense into liquid water, and will collect somewhat on the wall of the tank. The drain at the bottom of the tank will allow this water to be released, and chances are you will be able to see the liquid spray out.

[What's_nitro?]

If you won't be using it, say, later that day, then just open the drain on the bottom and let everything out. It will allow the condensation to escape and also relieve the unnecessary stress from the system.

[Bondonutz]

Originally Posted by What's_nitro?

If you won't be using it, say, later that day, then just open the drain on the bottom and let everything out. It will allow the condensation to escape and also relieve the unnecessary stress from the system.

+1
When your done running it, just crack the drain and let it drain and depressurize.
If your down south like me, water trap,filter might be a good idea for Air brush use.

[J57ltr]

Personally I always leave them full. I already paid to compress it why let it out. That goes for our 80 gallon shop compressor as well. Drain the water out of it by all means, but no point wasting your time filling it back up. I have a 1 gallon compressor for a brad nail gun at home and I fill a 5 gallon tank and keep them both full. We also use a dryer at work because the desiccant style dryers only work for a day or so before you have to remove the desiccant and cook the moisture out of it. We bought it at harbor freight too and it’s worked great for the last 5 years. It’s way too big for your application, but you might want to check on the ones that mount right before the gun.

BTW if you are talking about the little ring you pull and it releases air, that's a pressure relief valve it's there in case the pressure goes too high.

Jeff

[redshift]

Yeah good point guys, the tank you can leave pressurized 24/7 but it is a good idea to either have a ball valve or a disconnect for the air lines, sometimes lines will let loose but usually they have to be pretty old or dryrotted before that will be a concern, even then the chances of a blown line doing much damage are pretty slim.

[Bondonutz]

Valid point fellas, for a large shop system thats filtered. But for the little pancake jobber he has and small compressers in general like mine I beleive it best to not leave it pressurize because the hoses may be of smaller,thinner grade rubber and will not handle extended pressures and besides they fill in 30-45 secs.
My 2cents

[rawfuls]

My dad keeps our tank full, and it'll turn on by itself and back off once it goes down 50%, and it'll fill right back up, we haven't emptied the water yet..... =/

I try and keep our hose always empty, we have a quick release valve on the tank to the hose, and the hose to a tool (Like a air gun)...

[redshift]

Not draining the water is like not changing the oil in your car.

The water will have more severe corrosive properties due to the contaminants, over time you will be risking a tank rupture, and it won't matter whether or not the tank sits pressurized, or is purged daily, the water needs to go, be it a 1 gallon tank or 500 gallon.

It's just tempting fate.

The smaller tanks usually have thinner gauge material so are more prone to rot, but this is less a safety issue and more a longevity issue, just a heads-up!

[redshift]

We have a 100 gallon unit where I work. In the winter months it will release very little, just a quick mist.

But in the summer, I get 4-6 ounces easily- you can see how quickly that would add up, and for example, with a 1 gallon tank you could be reducing the volume of the tank by a significant amount in a months time. Which means it's gonna run more often. And you'd definetely notice the vapor, not good for most airtools anymore than it is for the tank.

[maxair45]

Yes I have a 80 gallon myself at my buisness and I keep it compressed when not in use, mind you I don't leave it on I turn it off and the tank is pretty well sealed up that it'll keep that pressure for a bit but I will not leave it on. I just when into the garage and saw the water drain valve thing and I opened it and the wierd thing is nothing at all came out.....not even a drop. I had it flat in its working position and I even tilted it tword the drain and still not a drop. possibly my environment I am working it in? Its pretty sunny and hot here slightly humid.....

I don't maintain my aircompressor or any of my equipment at my buisness(my job is to maintain a fleet of box trucks) so this is all a learning experiance to me. Another guy and I do all the work for the fleet and he is the brains of the operation so he does all that to keep all the tools in working order. I know truck not hardware.

Thanks for all the replys guys I really apreciate it