Air Compressor Pipe Plumbing

[fatboy]

I purchased a new Air Compressor... upgraded from 60 gal 1 stage to a 80 2 stage. I plumbed my shop with 3/4 inch black pipe when I installed the 60 gal compressor.

What I have learned... You have to take the piping completely down if you want to replace the compressor. While not a huge ordeal it still takes away from the time setting up the new compressor.

Today I will be setting up the new compressor so that I can break it in. Is there any options for hooking up the piping at the compressor that allows for easy disconnect without the complete tear down?

Thanks.. oh I am sticking with the black pipe due to funds..

 

[fountain]

Add a union close to the compressor.

 

[WILD-BILL]

I used a short (18") section of 3/4 hydrualic hose from TSC and then a union fitting to connect mine to the pipe system. Acts as a vibration dampner as well as an easy break point if I need to service something.

 

[Dick in Wisconsin]

I used a short (18") section of 3/4 hydrualic hose from TSC and then a union fitting to connect mine to the pipe system. Acts as a vibration dampner as well as an easy break point if I need to service something.

Wow! What a great idea. I suspect that the hydraulic hose can handle the pressure.

 

[Bondo]

Wow! What a great idea. I suspect that the hydraulic hose can handle the pressure.

Ayuh,... Hi-pressure hyd. hose is capable of 10,000 psi,...

Low pressure hyd. hose is usually rated at 1,500 psi,...

Air compressors run 'bout 120 psi,...

As noted above, a Pipe Union near the compressor is standard operatin' procedure,...

 

[sberry]

A hyd swivel makes a great cheap union especially if you are using that hose. With my own have a 1/2 valve on the comp, a union and a 1/2 hose about 3 ft long to a 3/4 line.

 

[Jbullfrog]

You should also plumb a union into your runs prior to corners. You need to figure service and update changes into your system when you lay it out, so you don't have to take everything apart later.

 

[sberry]

A good plumbing design in a small garage should require about 1 union, maybe 2 if T'd in to up and over. I would just as soon backtrack in case of some modification, wouldn't think anything of dropping a riser, replacing an elbow with T or leaving a T plug combo if it was something I thought I might realistically want to get in to.

I changed the location of parking a truck and my sandblasting after I built, try as you can you cant plan perfect. After about half a dozen times I take the hour and outright removed the poorly located hyd,,, not only didn't I need it there but was in the way, flipped it around on the other side of the wall found 10 more ft of pipe, replaced the hyd, used same fittings in the ideal location.
First phase was to make it usable then tailor it, made 2 or 3 major changes involving 60 ft of secondary pipe in 20 yrs. Took a coupler hrs a piece after the fact.

 

[sberry]

A hyd hose off the shelf at chain store is cheap when you consider fittings and crimps. Its so easy. You can buy 120 inches of 1/2 ready made off a shelf. Enough to reach up in to a ceiling and make a turn easy.