Air compressor aftercooler drain

[GR71]

Hey.

I've been reading tons of stuff online about air drying since I was planning on buying a compressor. Finally ordered a NorthStar 47500. Thanks to a lot of good threads on here, I've got a pretty good grasp on the system I'd like to build with an aftercooler between pump and tank, and plumbing after the tank.

Even after reading through some threads, I'm having trouble finding the right part to use as a drain between the aftercooler and tank. I would like something with an automatic drain. Can you guys please point me in the right direction on this? Something under $100 would be great.

Would an "air filter" such as this work? Is that different than a "water trap" or "water separator"? Would the semi-auto drain drain the bowl every time the tank is filled?

 

[engineer2]

I got one of these and it works well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XVPVHZI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can get it in either 115V or 230V.

 

[22george]

I got one of these and it works well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XVPVHZI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

You can get it in either 115V or 230V.

how long have you had it installed? I had one work for about 6 months before it qiut

 

[engineer2]

I've had mine about a year, but I only run the compressor one day a week or so.
What was the issue with yours so I know what I might be in for?

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Why would you need to install a drain on the aftercooler? Just put the auto drain on your receiver and be done with it.
Once the hot water vapor is cooled in the aftercooler, the water droplets run to the bottom of the receiver and are removed with the manual or auto drain.

 

[GR71]

Hmm I hadn't even considered an electric valve.

You have a good point there about the drain. I guess my thought was that I wanted to avoid water getting in the tank at all to avoid corrosion. I guess even with a drain it wouldn't stop all water from getting in so maybe there's no difference.

 

[22george]

I've had mine about a year, but I only run the compressor one day a week or so.
What was the issue with yours so I know what I might be in for?

I unplugged it when I turned the compressor off. It got to the point where when I plugged it back in, it would just hum. It would not activate the switch to open the valve to let the air out.

 

[engineer2]

Maybe got some rust sludge in the valve part?