Arranging and attaching filter/regulators for plumbed compressed air

[MichaelP]

How do you arrange and connect filters and regulators in your system?

Do you attach them to the wall at each outlet and connect to it with a hose? Any quick disconnects? Do make the short hoses yourself?

Or do you tend to locate them at the devices that use air? Hard connection, hose or quick disconnects?

Do you use splitters on the outlets to feed multiple devices? What kind do you prefer? How do you manage filters/ regulators in this case (install them before the splitter and feed all devices by the same pressure or assign a different regulator per device)?

I have a few devices that require different pressure: tools are at about 90psi, engine hoist- 110-120 psi, sandblaster will, probably, need from 60 to 100 psi, blow guns- 40 psi., etc. Since I have a 2-stage compressor, I may keep up to 175 psi in the tank and pipes. Initially, I thought about keeping full pressure in the tank and aftercooler, and then install a central 3/4" filter regulator to drop the pressure to, let's say 120-125 psi in the central line, but now I don't see how it'll help me avoid multiple regulators at the point of use.

Anyway, could you please share with us your approach? If your have photos, please post them.

 

[930dreamer]

Hello, I run black pipe from the compressor at full tank pressure to the water filter, regulator and coalescing filter. I still need to install the other drops in the shop.

http://www.tptools.com/p/2035,114_Modular-Metal-Piping-Kits.html

 

[trbomax]

I run tank pressure (175) on the loop.Water collecter comming out of the tank,then the loop (3/4' copper), with each of the drops (1/2' copper) there is a drip leg and a regulater except for the one I paint with,it has a water filter and regulater. I hard plumb 50' of hose to each reg,no quick disconect. Its been my experience that they are leak prone,especially when they are pulled and yanked on a lot. So the only quickie is at the end of the hose. Also,no pvc or plastic hoses,reinforced rubber so that there are no tangles.On the drops and drip legs,sweat the copper wall clamps to the pipe so that it cannot twist in them,then screw to the wall useing a 1 1/2' wood stand off.

 

[v12man]

I run tank pressure in my primary loop normally - and filter regulators at each drop.

Picture 1 - Compressor attatches to T piece on right hand pipe (facilities for 2 compressors) with a vertical rise about 8 foot in the 3/4 galavanised pipe to a safety valve (picture 2) and a drain section at the bottom. Air then flows through a 12 metre ( 6m out, drain, 6 m back see picture 3) cooling loop at an angle away from the compressor and down via the centre pipe with a drain at the bottom to the filtration loop - cyclonic separator, filter regulator (normally not regulated at all) and coelescing filter (there is also space for a few more filters if ever needed in this loop, which is removable for maintenance.)

The air then travels up in the left hand pipe for disribution via a ring to the 7 drops spread around the 2 garages I use.

The only comment I have - this would have been a lot easier and quicker to do in copper pipe.



Picture 2 - safety valve and top of cooling loop - the ring to the drops atattches to the open right angle you can see with thread showing.



Picture 3 - cooling loop with drain