I was given a small pancake compressor by my neighbour that needed some work. He is not very handy and bought a new one.
I don't need another compressor, in fact I have too many already . But there's always room for more.
I donated it to the volunteer group I work with to use for air for our pneumatic stapler for putting together cardboard shipping cartons . I want to shove it in our storage room and be done with it out of site, out of mind . It's on a spring wound timer so it doesn't inadvertently get left on .The problem with pancake compressors , is that the drain **** is offset on the tank, so you have to fiddle & tip the compressor to drain all of the water. That , plus it would be my job to always drain it , which is OK, but there must be a better solution.
I got looking at it and realized that the bungs on the top of the tank are lined up with the bottom lowest point of the tack so my mind got working .
I ended up taking the check valve off, reinstalling it in the branch of Tee with a 1/4 compression fitting and a length of tube that sits on the bottom of the tank . This will serve to pick up the water on the tank bottom. An Asco 120vac N/O solenoid valve will be the auto drain. when the spring wound timer is ON, the Asco Valve will be energized, and in the closed position. When the timer kicks off, the Asco will open, thus drain the water from the tan bottom,as well as the air pressure . a bronze filter before the valve ensures no debris will get caught in the seal of the Asco valve. A 1/4" vinyl hose will direct the water to a place yet to be determined, but perhaps outside thru the wall .
here are a few photos of the project
roughing the concept out
working with the asco valve to be sure it's what I need
bracketry made up and finished product
another shot
I don't need another compressor, in fact I have too many already . But there's always room for more.
I donated it to the volunteer group I work with to use for air for our pneumatic stapler for putting together cardboard shipping cartons . I want to shove it in our storage room and be done with it out of site, out of mind . It's on a spring wound timer so it doesn't inadvertently get left on .The problem with pancake compressors , is that the drain **** is offset on the tank, so you have to fiddle & tip the compressor to drain all of the water. That , plus it would be my job to always drain it , which is OK, but there must be a better solution.
I got looking at it and realized that the bungs on the top of the tank are lined up with the bottom lowest point of the tack so my mind got working .
I ended up taking the check valve off, reinstalling it in the branch of Tee with a 1/4 compression fitting and a length of tube that sits on the bottom of the tank . This will serve to pick up the water on the tank bottom. An Asco 120vac N/O solenoid valve will be the auto drain. when the spring wound timer is ON, the Asco Valve will be energized, and in the closed position. When the timer kicks off, the Asco will open, thus drain the water from the tan bottom,as well as the air pressure . a bronze filter before the valve ensures no debris will get caught in the seal of the Asco valve. A 1/4" vinyl hose will direct the water to a place yet to be determined, but perhaps outside thru the wall .
here are a few photos of the project
roughing the concept out
working with the asco valve to be sure it's what I need
bracketry made up and finished product
another shot
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