Air Compressor questions

[Dirt Rider]

Hi Guys,

I am looking at upgrading my air compressor to a dual stage unit and putting it outside.

So the first question is: If I put it outside do I need to put it in a headed room or maybe a header on the compressor for winter use?

The second question is: How far away from the compressor should I install the water trap? I don't have one installed now and I need one.

Thanks Tim

 

[dodge610]

You may want to keep in mind that you need to service the compressor and drain it so if you put it outside I would put it in a room. I myself have a water trap about 2 feet from the compressor another one about 10 feet and the last one 25 feet away. I know probably over kill but i use mine a lot with my beadblast cabinet and dont need moisture at the gun in the cabinet.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Where do you live, and how cold does it get? I assume you're thinking of putting it inside a small shed or some other similar enclosure to keep it out of the weather. Personally, I'd try to keep the temperature inside the enclosure above freezing. Also, don't forget it will need ventilation in hot weather.

 

[Dirt Rider]

Thanks Guy,

I live in North Central Washington state, temps get down to between 0 and maybe -10 degrees at the coldest, I haven't seen anything below zero for the last couple of years.

I suppose having the compressor outside would cause more condensation also.

As Dodge610 said I need to service it. That being said I will plan on building an enclosure. I don't think I can make access from the inside though. So what do you think 35 to 40 degrees? Maybe just a little base board heater?

So there Mr Dodge610 do you get any water in the water trap that is only 2' from the tank?

 

[930dreamer]

Hello, what brand of compressor? The idea is by running the air through piping it will cool, and the moisture can drop into the drain lines. I run the filters at the end of the main line.

 

[Dirt Rider]

Hello, what brand of compressor? The idea is by running the air through piping it will cool, and the moisture can drop into the drain lines. I run the filters at the end of the main line.

I am in the planning stages at this point, my old compressor is a 60 gal vertical tank single stage that is on it's way out.

 

[Chris Adams]

Some thoughts on using a small 'shed' for compressor.
I built one 8x8 (exterior) and used it for a year, with the compressor in a corner.
Heat was my big problem. The compressor makes a LOT of heat when it runs.
It would warm the 60 square feet up nicely, and it was shaded.
I had a drill press in there too, and when I used it, I could really tell if the compressor had ran recently.

Keeping it warm in winter wasn't really a challenge, but I could have put a 25-30 watt bulb on a timer and it would have kept the 8x8 toasty.

I heat my shop in the winter (high desert of California, in the Junipers above 3000 feet) with a heat lamp.
Not for when I am working, but to keep 700 square feet above freezing when I'm not in there for days.

A single 100 watt heat lamp keeps the shop 10-15 degrees warmer than without.

The goal of course is not to make it comfortable, just keep it above damage temperatures.

 

[Dirt Rider]

Yeah good point Chris, I have a 10'x10' dry storage that is well insulated that I keep above freezing with a couple of 60w light bulbs.

 

[Carl B]

Hi Guys,

The second question is: How far away from the compressor should I install the water trap? I don't have one installed now and I need one.

Thanks Tim

The answer might depend on several unknown factors.

I have a filter {which will remove 98% of the water coming out of the compressor in droplet {liquid} form, just a few feet from my compressor. I also have a quick disconnect to supply compressed air at the rear of my garage just downstream from that filter.

After the filter, I have also piped compressed air to the front of the garage about 24 feet away; where I have another quick disconnect to supply compressed air to the front of the garage and driveway.

The filter by the tank outlet removes most of the water before it can be blown into my lines from the compressor tank. Filters however do not remove water vapor from the compressed air. As mentioned, if you have a long enough run of metal pipe - and if the ambient temperatures outside the pipe are cool enough - more water will be removed as the air cools and condenses more moisture on the inside of the metal pipe. In my case I have a water trap & drain in the line at the front end of the garage. Mostly I use that for filling tires - and super dry air is not really required. If I were using that outlet at the front of the garage to run air tools - I'd most likely put another filter at that location as well.

So where you put your filters and/or how many you need - will depend on what your over-all set up looks like and what you use the compressed air for.

If you are spray painting or using a blast cabinet - you might need to get a "dryer" - that will remove most of the water vapor suspended in the compressed air. There are two types of desiccant based dryers - some have a disposable desiccant throwaway filter - and others have rechargeable desiccant {you heat it in an oven to remove moisture - then put it back in the dryer}

hope that helps,
Carl B.

 

[pipsters]

Dryers also severely limit cfm flow so not a good choice for permanent installation.