Can these be found for less $

[Phatsub]

Is it nessicary to spend $100. for one of these or can they be found for a few dollars less?

http://www.tptools.com/p/2710,89_Electronic-Air-Compressor-Tank-Drain.html

 

[PAToyota]

That seems to be the going price: http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=5390103&PMT4NO=48056173

I considered wiring up a timer and a solenoid valve but decided by the time I figured my time into the equation I wasn't saving all that much.

 

[Phatsub]

The one in your link, is that the one you use?

 

[PAToyota]

Mine is very similar and was purchased from MSC years ago.

The one from TP Tools looks pretty much the same and I've had decent luck with TP as well - bought my compressor and sandblasters from them. I hadn't seen that they had the auto-drains before.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

Well if you want an automatic drain compressor here's one for under $10. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46960

 

[Rory Bellows]

Enco has them for $87.

http://www.use-enco.com/CGI/INSRIT?PMAKA=510-1358&PMPXNO=8913687&PARTPG=INLMK3

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Every 1-45 minutes? At my old shop i used to drain it once a week and never had a problem with it.

 

[nissan_crawler]

Well if you want an automatic drain compressor here's one for under $10. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46960

Absolute turd. Great one to pick if you want it to fail within 10 minutes. Everybody I know that's had one has removed it the same day they installed it.

I've never understood the hard-on for an automatic drain (in regards to most home use). Put a lever ball valve on it, drain it once a week if you use it heavy, once a month if not, and put the proper water separator and filter on your compressor. If you get one, make sure to have a cap for the pipe it goes on so when it fails, you aren't sitting there with a useless compressor.

Hell, in the $1000 compressor I'm building, I'm not even bothering, I see no point.

 

[Phatsub]

I'm surprised these aren't more popular here.
I currently have a ball valve in use and I'm getting frustrated with that method.
I'd just like to go automatic.
I found this one for $86.

http://store.ecompressedair.com/detail.aspx?id=3798

More opinions wanted, please.

 

[Blacktooth Grin]

The drain interval seems way too frequent for home/small shop use. You will probably just be wasting air. I have a similar drain at work that is set to drain every 15 minutes or so but we are using 300+ cfm of air 24 hours a day.

 

[PAToyota]

Those that don't understand auto-drains probably don't live in areas with high humidity. Yes, I could open a valve a couple times a day when I'm using the compressor, but for me it is a set it and forget it thing.

 

[Phatsub]

but for me it is a set it and forget it thing.

See, that's what I'm after.

 

[logical]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Milt...012QQitemZ220269285650QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V

 

[Phatsub]

Thanks logical.

 

[ddawg16]

but for me it is a set it and forget it thing.

Until it fails....and you don't know if it fails until it's too late.

I'm an automation guys....if I can find a reason to slap a PLC on something, I will....but this is one application where I think manual is the best way.

Besides...I think it's good to have a look at what is coming out of that tank....

 

[PAToyota]

Well, as for not knowing, I certainly hear it when I'm out in the shop. So I'd know when it wasn't working any more.

And I do keep an eye on what is coming out of the tank.

 

[Phatsub]

Do these things fail often?

 

[PAToyota]

Mine has been running for about six years.

 

[Phatsub]

I think I'll add one of these to my wish list.

 

[logical]

I just wonder about the effectiveness I guess. When I have drained certain tanks...you get an initial spurt of water, then the high velocity air flow seems to overpower the water (maybe pushing it aside) for 10-20 seconds and I get nothing but air, then it seems to settle itself and i get another blast of water. This cycle might happen 2-3 times and the last of the water comes out a full minute into the drain.

Is a short shot of draining, even every half hour, getting all the water out? I'm all for automatic gizmos (I have a wireless remote control for my lawn sprinklers fer cripe sakes) but I just tend to open the drain and leave it open when the day's work is done....part of the whole "putting tools away/sweeping up/gathering trash" routine.

 

[eschoendorff]

Well if you want an automatic drain compressor here's one for under $10. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46960

I have two of them. They **** donkey balls. One is still sitting in the box because the first one was so awful. Don't waste your money....

 

[Phatsub]

I have two of them. They **** donkey balls. One is still sitting in the box because the first one was so awful. Don't waste your money....

A couple months ago I did the 1/4" pipe and ball valve mod. I wouldn't put any HF parts on my compressor. That would be like hanging dingle balls on a Rolse Royce. I'm just getting to that age where it's not quite so fun to squat down there and mess with the valve.

 

[OldCarGuy]

I have a BelAir auto-drain valve that looks very similar to what others have posted. It has set at 15 minute intervals of 2 second blasts 24 hours a day year round. And has been doing its' job for two years. Though it has just died last week. Rather than trying to figure out if it was the timer or coil that failed. I just purchased a new one for about $75.00 from BelAir. Other than prematurely failing, an auto-drain is money well invested.

 

[Phatsub]

Money well spent indeed. I'm defanately doing this upgrade in the near future. My knees will thank me. Thanks for all the input guys.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

What i did for my compressor was install a brass fitting in the bottom of the tank then ran 10" black pipe from that at the end installed a shut off valve,This way any water will be pushed up against the valve and not in the tank. only cost $10

 

[Phatsub]

NealC,

That's a great idea. It keeps the water in the piping and away from the tank.

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

you got it

 

[eschoendorff]

What i did for my compressor was install a brass fitting in the bottom of the tank then ran 10" black pipe from that at the end installed a shut off valve,This way any water will be pushed up against the valve and not in the tank. only cost $10

I did something similar. Works really well. Just make sure that you use a ball-type shut off valve that can withstand the pressure....