Compressor Water in Tank

[KlinkSanford]

Bought a used Campbell-Hausfeld 60 gallon vertical compressor for $200 (not a one ID on it, it looks like an older VT6195) and in very good condition, the former owner upgraded and just wanted it out of his crowded garage shop. I opened the bottom drain and some water came out, maybe 1 qt, and then I took off the tank air outlet bushing, which is mid tank mounted, so I could look inside. I found it was wet but in good condition. The bottom drain outlet bushing would not come off easily so all I did was remove the drain valve. I have not had time to go further, I plan to clean the inside with my home-made brew of citric acid and baking soda. Anyhow, the tank has been sitting on the same spot for 1 week and water does not stop coming out of it, the compressor is sweating water non-stop. It is in a well shaded barn in Central Florida summer high humidity, but this sweating is a surprise to me. It appears that it may be better to close up the tank than to leave it open to dry up?

 

[The Cobbler]

perhaps the drain is plugged & there's more water in it than you think.
no other reason that I can think of.
start it up and leave the drain open and see what happens

 

[Mick56]

Or poke a wire up through the opening, see if any debris is in there blocking the hole

 

[rlitman]

...I plan to clean the inside with my home-made brew of citric acid and baking soda...

Why? What does that do for you? You're not using this for breathing air, and any rust in the tank is not going to accelerate corrosion, but removing it can.

I'm with Mick56. I've had several compressors abused by their previous owners by never being drained, and they can build up enough debris to clog the drain hole. Let the pressure out, remove the 1/4" drain valve, clean out the hole with a drill bit (not in a drill, it's just that a drill bit is better for pulling **** out of a hole than simply a wire; they're kind of built for that use...), and re-install the drain once all the water is actually out.

I wouldn't pressurize it with the drain opened. Too much of a chance of the debris exiting violently. You don't need rust in your eyes.

 

[thool]

My drain stopped working, meaning you open the tiny valve and nothing came out. Depressurized and removed it...rusty water came out. After poking and ensuring new air blew cleanly, I cleaned the threads and installed a new brass drain valve. Now a few years later, same situation, clogged. I'm thinking a small ball valve would be better than the cheesy small valves that are difficult to turn.

 

[KlinkSanford]

perhaps the drain is plugged & there's more water in it than you think.
no other reason that I can think of.
start it up and leave the drain open and see what happens

That was it, the drain was clogged, I unclogged it with a wire and maybe 6 ounces came out. Thanks and God Bless.

 

[KlinkSanford]

Why? What does that do for you? You're not using this for breathing air, and any rust in the tank is not going to accelerate corrosion, but removing it can.

Makes sense, you've convinced me, it's not that bad inside, so I am not going to de-rust it. Thanks, that saved me a lot of work! God Bless

 

[Ing3018]

I recently picked up a used 20 gallon horizontal tank air compressor for tasks at my wife's mothers house. The tank would not drain very well initially due the collection of small rust flakes over the drain. I took the larger inspection plug off the upper side of the tank and blasted it with my power washer to break things loose. Since I had the pump and motor removed, I also did a hydro pressure test to 1.5 times the tank's pressure rating. Having pressure tested the tank to almost twice the pressure switch setting, I felt comfortable using the tank.

 

[johnre]

My drain stopped working, meaning you open the tiny valve and nothing came out. Depressurized and removed it...rusty water came out. After poking and ensuring new air blew cleanly, I cleaned the threads and installed a new brass drain valve. Now a few years later, same situation, clogged. I'm thinking a small ball valve would be better than the cheesy small valves that are difficult to turn.

Just be careful of how far it reaches inside with the NPT ****** - you want it to be the low point in the tank so all the water drains out.