Air Compressor Water Drain??

[monteu]

I have had my new compressor with a 80 gallon vertical tank installed for a couple weeks now. I had put off checking the drain valve to see if it had water in it. Surprise, this evening I drained around a gallon of water. It has no drain system installed just the little spigot at the bottom. There is not much clearance between it and the floor so I am going to have figure something out. What are you all doing for air compressor drains? pictures? thanks a lot

 

[Jim Johnstone]

The simplest method is to remove the petcock from the bottom of the tank, replace it with a street elbow, a length of pipe, and a ball valve at the end of the pipe.

 

[Gary S]

I'm using the petcock the compressor came with. I slip an old aluminum pie tin under it to catch the water. The most I get out of it is about a teaspoon of water.

 

[Jim Johnstone]

I'm using the petcock the compressor came with. I slip an old aluminum pie tin under it to catch the water. The most I get out of it is about a teaspoon of water.

How big is your compressor? I used to run a 60 gallon at my old shop, and in the humid Ontario summers I would drain a liter or more out each day.

 

[porschedude996TT]

I'm using the petcock the compressor came with. I slip an old aluminum pie tin under it to catch the water. The most I get out of it is about a teaspoon of water.

That's because ND is so dry???LOL

 

[OldNeons]

I just picked up an automatic drain valve - Ingersoll Rand makes it - it is electric powered and has a built in timer where it opens the drain valve to release water. It can also be wired direct to pressure switch so whenever compressor kicks on it opens for a couple seconds...... NO ONE remembers to drain the compressor daily. If you do - you are a better man than I

 

[alan camby]

The simplest method is to remove the petcock from the bottom of the tank, replace it with a street elbow, a length of pipe, and a ball valve at the end of the pipe.

That is what i did

 

[blacK20]

Wow. A gallon of water is ALOT.

 

[Joe B.]

Has anyone ever tried a longer piece of pipe before the valve for the specific purpose of catching/holding more of the water in the drain line than in the tank itself?

 

[rshadd]

Reaching under the compressor for that petcock is a hassle. An elbow, 1/4" black pipe and a ball valve make it less of a chore. Before I installed this I drained my compress once a year. Now I drain it weekly cause it's easy to do. I also added a ****** to attach some tubing so that the rusty water doesn't blast all over.

 

[Adam McLaughlin]

Now THAT is a good idea

Adam

 

[Kevin C]

http://www.mcmaster.com/#exhaust-mufflers/=jjftyn

For the auto drains at work I ran some 1/4" tubing to a muffler ( see link). Huge reduction in noise level ( 19 DB).

 

[Crusty Nut]

My compressor doesn't move, so I piped it through the wall. No muss, no fuss.

 

[Shadowdog500]

I put a lanyard pull drain on mine. I just pull the cable whenever I walk past the compressor.
Here is a video:

 

[ScaldedDog]

NO ONE remembers to drain the compressor daily. If you do - you are a better man than I

Technology makes us better!

My Eaton came with an automatic drain, but it can only be set to go off every few minutes up to an hour. I set it to go off for 2 seconds every ten minutes, then plugged it into a wall timer that comes on once a day for thirty-five minutes. So, my tank gets three two second "blasts" every day, whether I'm in the garage, or not.

To reduce the sound, I ran it through a ball valve, then enclosed that in a box I made out of cow mat scraps.

If I ever get around to finishing the floor, I'll make a more sealed box to keep the rust off the floor.

Mark

 

[AndyA]

I use the automatic drain with vinyl tubing attached to the outlet. The tube then runs outside. Yeah, some water will stay in the tubing. It doesn't prevent the tank from draining, and the water will eventually get blown out.

 

[jkruger54]

I use the automatic drain valves with a float inside.
McMaster: http://www.mcmaster.com/#compressor-drains/=jjhk75 Set them to release at the slightest bit of condensation so they don't get goobered up.

 

[Squankum]

I got this at Tractor Supply for $17.99ish, put it on my Kobalt 30g.

http://www.powerequipmentdirect.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-PA3005/p430.html

Puts the little ball valve out front and center, much easier to get at. You could easily build one with bits from the hardware store, if you knew what sizes you needed, etc etc, for maybe a few dollars less, or maybe not.

That lanyard pull sure looks very cheap and easy to use, though! With a pulley (or just something round and smooth for the cable to slide over) you could rig that so you don't even have to bend over, just tug up!

The easier it is to get at, the more likely you are to use it. (If you're not going for the automatic type.)

 

[Gary S]

How big is your compressor? I used to run a 60 gallon at my old shop, and in the humid Ontario summers I would drain a liter or more out each day.

My 240v compressor is a 5hp 60 gal, my 120v compressor is a little 1.5hp 25 gal. Neither one collects much water. Like mentioned, my dry climate probably helps. Humid weather isn't normal here.

 

[AndyA]

I've seen one that ties into the bleed-off line on the pressure switch. That way it cycles the drain once every time the compressor comes on. That might be really nice for guys that don't use the compressor that often. Mine is electric and comes on whether the compressor has been on or not.

 

[jesse72]

You have a diferant compressor than I do but this could be put on yours pretty easily. Here is a link to the thread I made with step by step pics and info. Hope it helps! And you can always add a piece of hose on the end to drain it farther away too
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142467