Regulator, filter, desiccant filter. Which order for air lines?

[signcrafter]

Putting in the filters and regulator at the end of my air lines and wondering what order they should go in. Have a 175 psi two stage compressor and then I ran 3/4" black pipe air lines. Have 1/2" drop that will go to the filters and regulator and then to an air chuck and also a hose reel.

What is the best order to install these in? Regulator/filter/desiccant filter? Filter/desiccant filter/filter? Or some other order?

 

[Fix Until Broke]

Filter First to get the particles and some water out
Desiccant Second to get the rest of the water out
Regulator Third so that it receives clean/dry air

 

[sberry]

You do not need the desiccant on every thing. I don't even have one. filter, then reg then dryer circuit where needed. Put a t on after the reg for any whips or assume its for air chuck and screw the reel to the other side of it. If there are only 1 or 2 outlets in the place with easy access then the service valve at the comp is fine, if there are several regs and circuits then a valve on the pipe ahead of the filter is good to provide local shut off.

 

[signcrafter]

Filter First to get the particles and some water out
Desiccant Second to get the rest of the water out
Regulator Third so that it receives clean/dry air

That makes sense. Thanks.

You do not need the desiccant on every thing. I don't even have one. filter, then reg then dryer circuit where needed. Put a t on after the reg for any whips or assume its for air chuck and screw the reel to the other side of it. If there are only 1 or 2 outlets in the place with easy access then the service valve at the comp is fine, if there are several regs and circuits then a valve on the pipe ahead of the filter is good to provide local shut off.

I bought two nice new made in the us filters for not much money so I already have them and will use them.

 

[Steve_P]

Filter first is ideal but make sure it's rated for at least 175 PSI as many are not

 

[signcrafter]

Filter first is ideal but make sure it's rated for at least 175 PSI as many are not

I ended up going filter/regulator/desiccant. The filter/regulator is a combo unit with a special fitting between them so they had to go together. The filter and the regulator are both rated for 250 PSI if I remember right but I know I did check to make sure they are rated for my compressor. One of the reasons I went with the nicer industrial ones.

 

[123Go]

Well not to jumpstart an old thread but my regs after my filter fwiw & I never understood why so many are sold assembled opposite?
Really I wanted to mention I read many yrs ago to install them 25ft from your tank to allow the air to cool a bit? But idk how much or if it even matters really but Ive always done it.
Peace