Another compressor question

[D_o_S]

Hi guys,

I have a question about my compressor:

I charged the compressor on Sunday evening, and I come to it today, and the tank is virtually empty (no pressure). Do I have a leak somewhere? Or is this normal?

There was a hose and blow gun connected to the compressor the whole time, but not in use.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Well, take a jar of soapy water and start looking. The blow gun and hose quick disconnects both probably leak, the nearly always do, impreceptably so they do.

You need a ball type shutoff valve at the outlet, that should resolve 99% of your leakage.

I have a 30+ year old Craftsman compressor that holds pressure for months at a time, the ball valve doesn't leak nor does the tank drain or the pressure relief, or the check valve from the pump, so it holds air, any one of those things will cause the tank to leak down.

Charles

 

[ImportTuner]

Yep, what Charles said ... should resolve your problem ...

 

[bmwpower]

I use Windex for leak detection. Seems to dry/wipe up better than water/soap.

 

[MXtras]

As mentioned - put a ball valve on the outlet. Charge up the system and then shut the valve and turn off the compressor. If the hose/piping is still full in the morning but the tank is empty, it's your check valve or drain valve on the compressor. If the hose is empty but the compressor is full, its a leak in your hose/piping.

Scott

 

[IanF]

I'd say the blow gun is your culprit.

I can leave my hose connected and the compressor will stay charged for quite awhile, but if I accidentally leave my blow-gun (which is a fairly good one) connected to the hose, it will leak down to zero overnight.

 

[Danglerb]

Leaking down is not normal, and the sooner you find the problem and fix it the better. Even a small leak can waste a lot of power and wear and tear on the compressor.

I needed to fiddle with my drain valve for a 100% close. Breakin is to run the compressor for 15 min with the drain valve open, then close it and let the pressure come up and compressor cycle off. I closed it as finger tight as seemed reasonable, but after the compressor cycled off I could hear it leaking. It wouldn't close any tighter, but opening it slightly allowed it to close as far as I can tell completely with no force at all.

Being used to my old cheap compressor 125+ psi all the time is a new experience, quick disconnects POP when I use them now.

 

[Major Ramifications]

The one thing you didn't mention is your tank size. If it is a one gallon tank, then an almost imperceptible leak will empty it quickly. If it is an 80 gallon tank, then you have a very bad leak indeed.