air compressor water jet warning

[Mustang67ford]

I have a tall upright CH air compressor; 120psi is the shutoff I believe. I go the unit used from a friend several years ago and it set in storage for a few years. When I installed it, I put a shut-off valve on the bottom with a clear flex hose to drain the water every so often. When I first tried to drain it, I would open the valve a a little water would trickle out but never any air. Not knowing the inner workings of the tank, I thought maybe there was a one-way baffel or someting that would only allow the water out. So, every so often, I would get a penut butter jar to drain the water out.

Well, today The "baffel" I thought was terer went. There must have been something blocking or rust packed in the bottom of the tank because I am there with the little penut butter jar and all the sudden I was hit with a 120PSI water jet. As soon as the water hit, I lost control of the flex hose and it sprayed my walls like an out of control fire hose. I finally go the valve off and surveyed the dameage; rust covered water everywhere. I got a bucket and ended up getting another almost 2 buckets out of the tank before just air came out.

Warning to all, if you drain your tank and no air comes out.... be prepared.

 

[dirtmister16]

yes they can be dangerous, amazing how much water can get into them. i used to drain the one at a local lumberyard when i worked there bi weekly or at least once a month if we were busy.

lots of water but we just let it hit the floor. it would scare people who walked by when that thing was draining out the water.

 

[Shadowdog500]

No baffle! You are correct that rust and crud was blocking the drain. Perhaps there is a better procedure, but if it were mine I would drain all the air and would remove the bottom drain for inspection. Then I may take a hot water tank clean our wand(used on RVs) and would flush the rust out of the tank. How old is this compressor? A friend had an old air tank fail on him and it wasn't pretty.

Chris

 

[pipsters]

I agree taking that bottom valve should be a yearly mx item probably. I know mine was a little caked up after about 2 years. What I would like is a system that would allow the water to flow into it and collect vs. collecting at the bottom of the tank. A "collector tank" of some sorts.

 

[aka Larry]

I purge mine after every use. I still don't get why it's a big deal to remember that it needs to be done. I also have a label on the tank that shows the last date I changed the oil. I change it twice a year just because.

 

[pipsters]

I purge mine after every use. I still don't get why it's a big deal to remember that it needs to be done. I also have a label on the tank that shows the last date I changed the oil. I change it twice a year just because.

The issue is you purge it and nothing comes out. Good to go right? No, the valve gets clogged up. That is what we are talking about here.

 

[Outlawmws]

The issue is you purge it and nothing comes out. Good to go right? No, the valve gets clogged up. That is what we are talking about here.

As long as he is getting air out, he should know if the drain is plugged.

I drained my 80 gallon after years of callously ignoring it, and less than a cup came out...

 

[Bradey Bunch]

The shop compressor has the lower drain cracked slightly at all times, nobody has to remember that way. I have seen warnings saying the proper way to drain a compressor is by letting all the air out before opening the drain though.

 

[Mustang67ford]

The twist out valve is removed. I came out the bottom with an elbow, 1/4" I believe, and put a arm-type shut-off ball valve with a flex hose on the end. Real easy to drain. The compressor is maybe 12 or so years old. Since I got it, I have changed the oil and air filter. Now hopefully I got the water issue under control.