Rusty water coming out of compressor

[DerStig]

This is a Husky 175 psi 30 gal compressor. When I drain the tank, there is always rusty water dripping. It has been doing this since day 1 (about 2 months old now). Initially I was assuming it will go away with time, but it hasn't changed.

Will this have any impact on the tools I run? Should I ask for a new compressor?

I run dual filters in my air system. There is an air filter in my air line, then there is a secondary air filter/lubricator. I'm guessing those would be filtering anything harmful but still not a good situation I suppose?

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

You are finding condensation accumulation in your tank. If you are running air tools, it might be a good idea to install water traps and an in-line oiler in your hard-plumbed feed line. Also, it is a good idea to drain your tank on a regular basis if you're finding water on a constant basis. If you run straight off the compressor, you are not doing your tools any favors.

 

[DerStig]

You are finding condensation accumulation in your tank. If you are running air tools, it might be a good idea to install water traps and an in-line oiler in your hard-plumbed feed line. Also, it is a good idea to drain your tank on a regular basis if you're finding water on a constant basis. If you run straight off the compressor, you are not doing your tools any favors.

I understand its condensation, but what about rust? The water that drips out is brown color and its very messy. And as I said even in my first drain after buying the compressor it did this. I drain the tank at the end of every use. It never stays full for more than half a day.

I also have two seperate air filters in my setup to trap anything bigger than 0.05 micron.

My concern is the tank is bad and this rust may cause safety issues in the future OR is this normal with any compressor?

 

[EOC_Jason]

It's normal with any compressor, especially with age... The inside of the tanks are not painted so they will rust naturally. The condensation just builds up and slowly drips down bringing a little loose rust with it...

 

[Richard Cranium]

I have an old craftsman compressor and have never gotten rust colored water out of the tank. Mine looks a little oily when drained, But never rusty. I would not keep it. It will rust out in time.

 

[couch67]

+1 this is normal. My husky has done the same thing from day 1 (6 years now), and my campbell hausfield prior to that had rusty water. Looks just like chocolate milk.

Just keep it regularly drained. Not draining them is what causes the tank to fail.

couch

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ This. Perfectly normal to have rusty water when draining. That is why you want to CATCH it in pan or can and not leave nasty mess on the floor.

Drain it DAILY and over time will minimize rust . . but still not a problem.

 

[csp]

No need to drain daily if it's not used daily.

This is perfectly normal. I have six compressors and all of them drain rusty water. Yes, it will eventually rust a hole in the tank, but you may be too old to use it by then.

 

[kelpaso1]

I have an old craftsman compressor and have never gotten rust colored water out of the tank. Mine looks a little oily when drained, But never rusty. I would not keep it. It will rust out in time.

Same here. My Canadian made Force 60 gallon is 20 years old and when I drain it just clear water and a bit of oil comes out. I don't know if it is painted/treated on the inside. I think I would be concerned if there is rust in the water as you know it has been rusting on the inside from day one.

 

[cvairwerks]

If you are aver going to paint using that setup. DON"T put an oiler on the air line. That will oil everything downstream of it, including any hoses you ever connect. Oilers should be either point of use, or on dedicated drops with dedicated lines.

 

[great white tj]

If you drain the tank of all the air every day then you are overworking your comp. Leave the air in your tank, if you use it .. just open the drain for about 15sec. and then close the drain.

 

[Squankum]

Could draining the tank to empty every time be creating more condensation? Does pressurization slow down the rusting process? (No idea on that one.)

I just get water. I used to get some oily froth but then I realized the pump wasn't level enough and I put wooden spacers under the tires to match the Mason anti-vibration pads on the other two ponts of floor contact.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . I'll clarify what I said . . . Drain Daily just enough air to dump water.

AND the daily part is DAILY when you are USING the compressor a lot. If you're in high humidity climate, you'll have more water in compressor tank for sure.

Otherwise keep your tank charged with air, and filter water before it gets to sensitive activities like spray painting, sand blasting, etc.

 

[BADSIX]

If I had it to do over I would have pulled the plugs on mine. 80 gal upright that has 2, 2 1/2 plugs in the side. then pour about a gal. of epoxy inside roll it around then drain it out. if you could coat up about 6-8 in. that would stop the rust at the bottom of the tank were the water settles . my compressor is about 30 years old and i'm thinking about doing it with the epoxy.
Jay D.

 

[mechanic217]

We coated the inside of a new 800 gallon receiver by dumping in a gallon of thinned rustoleum paint and then spun in over and over for two days, to do this we laid caster dollies upside down on the floor and anytime someone walked past it they gave it a spin, then we stood it upright and let the extra paint drain out, maybe this was a waste of time but the only cost was some paint.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Also you might want to check it a day or two after you finished using it and it pumped up with air. I've noticed on mine after it gets time to cool down and I guess the condensation to work it's way down there will be a considerable amount of water that will still come out.

 

[lakeroadster]

If I had it to do over I would have pulled the plugs on mine. 80 gal upright that has 2, 2 1/2 plugs in the side. then pour about a gal. of epoxy inside roll it around then drain it out. if you could coat up about 6-8 in. that would stop the rust at the bottom of the tank were the water settles . my compressor is about 30 years old and i'm thinking about doing it with the epoxy.
Jay D.

As long as the epoxy doesn't start flaking off... and then start clogging valves and filters.

I just drain the moisture once a day, when I am using my compressor. Save the air for another day.

A simple street elbow, piece of pipe and a ball valve does the trick.

I built a puke tank for mine using a Folgers can and some kitty litter to capture the rusty water.....

A flap cut in the lid, and a shop rag between the lid and can, allows the pressure to escape / vent.

easy peazy.

 

[rburke65]

I'll have to be more observant, but I don't think I get rusty water when I drain mine.....

 

[manwithtools]

It's normal with any compressor, because as mentioned earlier they are all bare metal on the inside. I would recommend opening the drain slowly with pressure still on the tank, this tends to "blow" out the residue of water and rust. Might need to clean the floor afterwards, best practice is to drain frequently. I never remember to do that. I'm designing a couple of automatic drains for my compressors now.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I jam an empty 2L bottle to the end of my drain and open slowly under pressure. That way it doesn't leave a nasty rust stain on my floor...

 

[BillK]

Interesting thread. My ancient (at least 35 years old) Curtis 80 gal at the shop never has anything but clear water come out when I drain it each morning. Maybe a few drops of oil but nothing more. Its been that way since I bought the business in 1987.

 

[n20junkie]

I have always had rusty water drain out of every compressor I have wver had or worked with.

 

[egdede]

I have used many old rust draining dinosaurs that probably had another 30 years of service. On the other hand, I believe more and more manufacturers have started coating tanks with various materials. I have been regularly using a Campbell Hausfeld pancake compressor for about 5 years now. I have never seen rust. When I changed out the drain valve, I could see the tank had been coated. Looked like beige or light gray primer/flat paint. (But I was looking through a wee tiny drain hole.)

 

[Mike.VA]

The rule of thumb is to drain daily (3-10 seconds or until the moisture stops coming out), as most have mentioned and do it in a can or bucket. If not, you will end up with a huge rust spot on the floor next to your compressor.
Most all do this, so don't be concerned.
As others have mentioned, it is a good idea to put a water separator right after the line comes out of the compressor.
It would be a good idea to also drain the lines at the end of your run as well. Condensation can accumulate all through the system.
In the plants I have worked at and at home this issue is all too common and ok.