My feelings exactly, the solenoid valves they use pack up with crud and fail within a years time. They also waste expensive compressed air by firing way to often, I think a lot of them go off every 45 minutes.
Air Compressor Auto Drain?
- Thread starter Seb650R
- Start date
My feelings exactly, the solenoid valves they use pack up with crud and fail within a years time. They also waste expensive compressed air by firing way to often, I think a lot of them go off every 45 minutes.
signcrafter
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 9, 2012
- Messages
- 12,317
Yeah the install kit was a bit much LOL, you are going to find this MM way cool and just a damn good design.
In your setup the water has to travel UP about 8-10" to the auto drain right? I would think the water would stay down at the lowest point where it comes out the bottom of the tank wouldn't it?
pepi
Well-known member
No, the compressor stores air at 150-175 psi, the very same pressure pushes water out the bottom when the drain is opened manually. Remember the water that comes out the of drain is NOT draining because of gravity. It could drain by gravity but only when the tank is at the atmospheric pressure, at that time gravity would drain the tank. That also would only happen if the water was stored in the line. The bulb on the top of the valve is storing the water to be dump at the cycle signal.
Kindly have a view here it will help you understand better.
pepi
Well-known member
Here take a minute and open the mind, you have a huge misconception of the product. Hell you might even change your feelings, or at least have some facts you are not aware of yet.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
Not if they are: "... set-up to purge with power on & every 30 mins."
The biggest problem with the harbor freight model is -- it is Harbor Freight.
pepi
Well-known member
Ok I will split hairs with you, sounds like a fun game. A purge every 30 min is a waste of energy/air, increases run time. Whereas a pneumatic trigger only dumps as the compressor cycles, logic tells me that is a better approach.
:[/QUOTE];The biggest problem with the harbor freight model is -- it is Harbor Freight.
[/QUOTE]No argument we agree, but I did figure out a way to make it operate. The reason I did that is because the pneumatic trigger is a better process without the need of an additional outlet. Does not have a timer, dumps only when required.
Lets just face it, unless the compressor is operating there is no need for dumping the moisture is there ? Last time I checked no clouds are being sucked into the tank and raining every so often.
My compressor stays on 365 and the pneumatic triggered drain is exactly what fits the bill.
That was fun,
Pepi
torqueman2002
Well-known member
What ever works for you.
I make it a habit to power OFF all equipment when I leave the shop; the drain is only used when the compressor is ON. A 30 min. purge is what I need for my uses. In the big picture, not much air is lost.
I have many carefully selected HF items; just not a purge valve working @ 175 psi.
I make it a habit to power OFF all equipment when I leave the shop; the drain is only used when the compressor is ON. A 30 min. purge is what I need for my uses. In the big picture, not much air is lost.
I have many carefully selected HF items; just not a purge valve working @ 175 psi.
pepi
Well-known member
Indeed I agree, whatever works for and for whomever, do not misunderstand was not dumping on you. Just pointing out the operational differences of the two processes mixed with some humor. I am still laughing about the cloud getting sucked in and raining in the tank. I really crack myself up sometimes.
torqueman2002
Well-known member
NP
I wasn't sure if it was clear the drain is powered ON only when the compressor is ON. Since I sand blast a lot the compressor can run non-stop for over 30 mins.
During July and August in SE Michigan there's a lot of moisture in the air.
Not to say other parts of the country don't have as much or more, just that I found 30 min. cycle time works for the set-up I have, and I don't need to dry the air any more. May need to if I try to paint though.
I wasn't sure if it was clear the drain is powered ON only when the compressor is ON. Since I sand blast a lot the compressor can run non-stop for over 30 mins.
During July and August in SE Michigan there's a lot of moisture in the air.
Not to say other parts of the country don't have as much or more, just that I found 30 min. cycle time works for the set-up I have, and I don't need to dry the air any more. May need to if I try to paint though.
That looks like it might be worth using, bet it's expensive.
Wonder if that's the same Suburban that makes sine plates.
RCStocker
Well-known member
It is a pain in the *** to drain an compressor tank evey day by hand. I got my automatic drain form Norther Tool It is one of the top brands but I don't remember which one. It is automatic and needs not power. I have them on all my shop compressors. I have one in my home shop here in California and I have one in all 3 of my shops on the farm. I have one in the tractor barn shop and one in the wood shop and the other in the little machine shop. It is very humid there and I even have a dehumidifyer in the 2 shops. A new tank is over $500 and an automatic drain off is cheap compaired to forgetting to drain or getting lazy and not doing it. I have 2 stage compressors in all 4 places. I have so many trailers, tractors, boats, cars and play toys that I need air all the time. I seldom use an impact. I sell things off beforer they need work. Cheaper to buy good used items than to repair old ****.