Air Compressor tank life

[joe_pinehill1]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld hot dog compressor I bought in 1996. Its had home owner use for 20 years. But I'm wondering about the tank after 20 years. Is there a general rule for how long you can trust tanks without proofing them? Its been well kept, I drain the water after use. But with the price of similar units at HF down to $50, I'm thinking about better safe than sorry.

 

[930dreamer]

I have a tank dated 1957, we did a shop DIY hydro test with a pressure washer and it was ok.

 

[American Locomotive]

My buddy has a 1940s Curtis compressor with original tank that's still fine.

 

[Citation]

Tanks are made from alloys that are designed to fail via a pin hole before rusting. I've posted about this concept a few times. Basically don't worry about it (but do drain the water out of the tank).

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Mine says 1948 and hasn't given me any trouble.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Your 1996 compressor is probably built better than a modern HF model...

As long as you drain your tank regularly you should be good...

Though one thing I noticed (when living in Houston), even though I would drain our upright 60 gallon after using, I would also walk by it the next day and crack open the drain again and get a lot of water. I guess it takes a little while for the water to cool, moisture to condense and work its way down to the bottom of the tank.

 

[driz]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld hot dog compressor I bought in 1996. Its had home owner use for 20 years. But I'm wondering about the tank after 20 years. Is there a general rule for how long you can trust tanks without proofing them? Its been well kept, I drain the water after use. But with the price of similar units at HF down to $50, I'm thinking about better safe than sorry.

My Campbell hausfirld is from around 96 and I’ve hammered it hard since. CH ain’t the best so expect the pressure switch and unloader to go **** up sometime. They are all generic so when they fail you can replace them cheap. The switch on my 26 gallon is one from Fleabay for a water well and the same exact thing no less . It’s all generic so those $65 switches become $20 when you cross reference.
Just remember not to get too hooked on those CFM and HP numbers. They must use fuzzy math so don’t expect everything they advertise you can do with one. Still overall they are Ok and you can cheat with them SOMETIMES as long as it’s not every day. I’ve painted cars on and off and run air guns all the time on mine and it’s fine. Just watch out with HEAT doing things like sandblasting and HVLP paint guns ect. That’s what ruined the switch and unloader on mine. Park a box fan blowing on it if you’re doing a big job and don’t place it in a tiny cubby hole where heat builds up check and change the oil every few years and you’ll be fine.





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[dmdc411]

My compressor is a 1983 DeVilblis. Got a pin hole leak near the drain. Was set at 120 psi cutout. Dropped it to 90psi when I noticed the leak. Like others have found, you can drain the moisture out, not use it. Still find plenty of condesate a day or two later. I'm not the original owner, but long enough to know the corrosion is 95% my fault! Found new tanks are not easy to find, and for the average home user, not worth the cost. Probably spend $4 to 500 on a new set up.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G870A using Tapatalk

 

[Packard V8]

If you drain it every day, you're probably never going to have a problem.

Tanks are made from alloys that are designed to fail via a pin hole before rusting. I've posted about this concept a few times. Basically don't worry about it (but do drain the water out of the tank).

I needed a small portable compressor for a home remodel project and for $40, bought an old Sears 2hp 220-volt probably made by Speedaire, used it a while and found a pinhole leak at the low point of the tank. I welded a large patch over the hole and have been using it for years.

A bit strange on that one, as while repairing the pinhole, I noted the draincock is back between the wheels, not at the lowest point of the tank where the pinhole developed; ensure your drain is at the low point.

jack vines

 

[CobraRed]

I may have the same compressor as OP at home. I have no doubts and use it daily.