Compressor aftercooler pipe routing question

[fusion]

Hi guys,
I am planning to install an aftercooler on my 80 gallon vertical 2 stage compressor. I bought a Hayden 1260 oil cooler that others have used.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HEADJ2/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I am planning to attach it to my belt guard since it's dimensions are ideal for my belt guard and I'd really rather not have the hassle or expense of an additional fan. The cleanest and easiest install is to mount the cooler with both ports facing upward. I just realized that this looks like it would be a problem with the condensate draining out of the cooler. Most setups that I've seen have either a cooler with the inlet port facing up and the exit port facing down, or both ports facing to one side. I am concerned that if I run mine with both ports up, the water won't drain from the cooler properly. And if I run with both ports down, water will remain in the inlet line. Maybe it doesn't matter?

Am I worrying about nothing?

Thanks for any input

 

[ez-duzit]

...I am planning to attach it to my belt guard...easiest install is to mount the cooler with both ports facing upward....

Bad idea.

The cooler needs to drain. And the belt guard is weakly attached to the compressor.

Here are photos of how I mounted and plumbed mine.

 

[Ohmthis]

EZ, great pictures! Thanks for adding those.

 

[matt_i]

Agreed on the port (at least one) needs to be downward for draining condensate. It will always find the lowest point.

 

[larry4406]

ez-duzit - pretty clever mount!

 

[ez-duzit]

Thanks fellas.

 

[fusion]

Thanks for your input

 

[ez-duzit]

As you all can see from the photos I tried to transfer all loads into the heavy duty motor bracket. There is a lot of vibration from these compressors. The belt guard is most certainly unsuited to hanging an aftercooler. Even if it were, then belt replacement would be hindered.

Aftercooler was vertically positioned to facilitate plumbing the outlet to drain freely to the separator and tank, and to be efficiently cooled by the upper half of the flywheel.

Materials I used were items at hand, some pipe fittings, 1" stainless tubing, angle iron, all welded together and bolted to the motor bracket for compactness, ease of installation and maintenance.

Plumbing done with copper tubing and compression fittings.

 

[larry4406]

ez-duzit

I looked again at your aftercooler and was again impressed with the down flow arrangement wondering what the cooler was originally designed for. To that end, I spied the AKG logo and googled it. To my surprise, that is a purpose compressor belt guard aftercooler!
https://www.akgts.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Belt_Guard_Aftercoolers_en.pdf

What model did you use and what are the specs on your compressor?

Also, what is the port size on the after cooler and where did you get those nice adapters?

 

[ez-duzit]

6--can't remember the model #, but bought it from Zoro; the ports IIRC are 1". The aluminum threaded bushings were purchased from McMaster-Carr. Compressor is from Tractor Supply, a Porter Cable 60-gallon, 230-volt, 11.5 CFM @ 90 psi.

 

[larry4406]

6--can't remember the model #, but bought it from Zoro; the ports IIRC are 1". The aluminum threaded bushings were purchased from McMaster-Carr. Compressor is from Tractor Supply, a Porter Cable 60-gallon, 230-volt, 11.5 CFM @ 90 psi.

Thanks - I just relooked at the cut sheet I linked and it shows 1" NPT ports.

Yikes! - Not cheap. The small unit is $195 and they go up from there. Wonder how these compare to the Hayden units that others use?