Compressor Auto Drains

[porschedude996TT]

I have been looking at Electric Auto Drains for my compressor. At first look the control event adjustments looked too frequent. Most of what I have seen were .5 to 30 seconds event duration with 30 second to 45 minute time between events. I was thinking of having the time between events should be in hours and days. After thinking about it, these must be wired to run side of the pressure switch which only allows the timer to work when the compressor is running.

Here is the question. For a home shop that has a 5 hp compressor that runs only a couple of times a week, is that frequent enough? I realize that the compressor doesn't make water when it is not running, but a purge now and then would help, would it not?

 

[aka Larry]

Re: COmpressor Auto Drains

We've discussed this many times before, but I still don't get what the big deal is with just manually opening the drain valve at the end of each day, which is what I do.

 

[5mall5nail5]

Re: COmpressor Auto Drains

We've discussed this many times before, but I still don't get what the big deal is with just manually opening the drain valve at the end of each day, which is what I do.

I do a lot of bead blasting and powder coating - you'd have to be opening the valve once ever 5 - 10 mins. That's ridiculous.

 

[aka Larry]

Re: COmpressor Auto Drains

I do a lot of bead blasting and powder coating - you'd have to be opening the valve once ever 5 - 10 mins. That's ridiculous.

I was responding to:

For a home shop that has a 5 hp compressor that runs only a couple of times a week...

 

[pepi]

Two words Moisture Minder, pneumatic operated dumps @ the beginning and ending of the pressure recovery cycle.


Originally Posted by aka Larry:
"We've discussed this many times before, but I still don't get what the big deal is with just manually opening the drain valve at the end of each day, which is what I do. Posted by aka Larry

So you have nothing to add about auto drains? Other than you are clueless as to why everyone does not "just manually opening the drain" like you?

Gee that is sad


No thanks

 

[stonesfan68]

Just get an electronic, no-loss drain valve and be done with it. The drain opens when it is full of water and wastes no compressed air pushing the condensate out of the tank. They run about $250 and it will last a lifetime in a home shop environment.

infinity-drain-valves-and-zero-loss-drains/

 

[awdblazer]

i plumbed up my harbour freight one and it works great, even used the ****** tubing it came with, just couldnt use that from my check valve as it got a little too warm and kept popping that tubing

 

[ScaldedDog]

Just get whatever auto-drain you like, and plug it into a wall timer set to run the day(s) you want it to run. On mine, I set the auto drain to open for 2 seconds every ten minutes. The wall timer runs daily, but only for 15 minutes. So, I get 2 2 seconds bursts per day.

Mark

 

[skruft]

There are the electric ones, and the old style mechanical ones that open every time the compressor cycles, or if you are handy with things like relays, you could make one that opens whenever you want. I just open the little valve every now and then, but with a new large compressor I am about to install, I'll do something automatic.

 

[EOC_Jason]

I just have a ball valve on the bottom of my tank, but if I was to go with an auto-drain, I would go with the pneumatic style that operate off of the unloader line. That way they only operate when your compressor is being used. With the electric you would have to unplug them when not in use or wire them in a way so that it only operates when the compressor is....

I've seen talk of the Moisture Minder before and it looks like a very nice setup. I've also read a lot of the cheap HF model. Either way it's a little DIY to get them piped up but I would choose them over electric any day.

 

[brownfaux]

I think I'm going to put an auto drain on my compressor. 33 gal husky. I read the reviews on the harbor freight one and it seems worth it.

I just want to understand how it works though, without power to open or close a valve.


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[EOC_Jason]

I think I'm going to put an auto drain on my compressor. 33 gal husky. I read the reviews on the harbor freight one and it seems worth it.

I just want to understand how it works though, without power to open or close a valve.

It has a spring inside the drain. The change in pressure when your compressor kicks on / off activates the drain for a second or two. That's why it requires a line tied into the unloader line of the compressor.

 

[shooting4life]

Maybe a compromise of sorts, pipe under the compressor to a storage take of sort (a couple feet of pipe) then have a ball valve for draining. Any moisture will build up in the storage pipe and not in the tank and then you could drain it when you remember.

I think an auto drain has a real purpose in some shops but most of the time it is not really needed (not saying this is a reason not to get one, I have plenty of things I don't need).

 

[brownfaux]

I get it. So to just dump the water out of mine I don't have to drain it completely, just for a second or two, then I can leave it filled for the rest of the day until I'm ready to use it.

Yeah I'm going to buy one.


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[Danglerb]

The HF drain uses the pressure relief from the compressor cutoff switch that dumps the air in the line from the compressor to the tank at the end of the cycle (unloader) so the next time the compressor turns on its not starting against 125 psi tank pressure. A check valve prevents back flow from the tank. Thats the Pssst sound when a compressor turns off.

Problem is the HF is CHEAP, not designed for more than about 125 psi and many compressors fill to 145 psi or higher. After a short time many report the orings or something blow out on the HF.

Do ANY of these devices keep the tank dry inside?

I don't think so, due to temperature cycling. During operation the air from the compressor is HOT from being compressed, the tank is cooler so moisture condenses in the tank, but eventually the tank is warm as well. Couple hours after shut down its cooler and moisture in the tank air condenses again. Inside of the tank will ALWAYS be a little wet, and pretty much a little or a lot, same amount of rust.

Draining the tank maybe reduces water condensing and coming out the air line and through tools.

 

[mayday0017]

Do ANY of these devices keep the tank dry inside?

I don't think so, due to temperature cycling. During operation the air from the compressor is HOT from being compressed, the tank is cooler so moisture condenses in the tank, but eventually the tank is warm as well. Couple hours after shut down its cooler and moisture in the tank air condenses again. Inside of the tank will ALWAYS be a little wet, and pretty much a little or a lot, same amount of rust.

Draining the tank maybe reduces water condensing and coming out the air line and through tools.

That has been my question for some time now.... Draining just gets the large volume of water out of the bottom of the tank, but the whole inside will have moisture on the walls and will be very humid. I am curious how much regular draining of the compressor really changes the life.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Do ANY of these devices keep the tank dry inside?

I don't think so, due to temperature cycling. During operation the air from the compressor is HOT from being compressed, the tank is cooler so moisture condenses in the tank, but eventually the tank is warm as well. Couple hours after shut down its cooler and moisture in the tank air condenses again. Inside of the tank will ALWAYS be a little wet, and pretty much a little or a lot, same amount of rust.

Draining the tank maybe reduces water condensing and coming out the air line and through tools.

I think it depends on how much you run your compressor, the more it cycles the more moisture will build up so you either have to drain it constantly or get an auto-drain. But that is in industrial or serious shop environments. Even then you still get moisture down the line as it cools going through the pipes so you would need a water separator on the ends.

For me my pump will usually cycle only once or twice at most when I'm doing something. I used some pipe and a ball valve so I can drain it manually, which I usually give it a little crack before working. There is never *that* much water in there, the amount always stays within the pipe underneath instead of in the tank.

 

[ozyborn]

I have a 7 year old boy that loves the garage. When I am sandblasting or painting. I have him do the ol "get the water out". And yes, we both wear respirators, safety glasses, and earmuffs. Works great for me. No extra plumbing. only runs when I want it to.

 

[HAP]

I just wired a momentary push button on my control panel and press it whenever I want and for however long I need. Clear line run outside allows me to see when moisture is clear.

HAP

 

[sberry]

I piped some old copper tubings with ball valves, a t and thru the wall. Give it a blast when I think about it or use a lot usually reminded by a forum thread. Mine are on 24/7

 

[ezzzzzzz]

I use a Speedaire auto drain. I wouldn't go back to manually draining a tank. The initial cost ***** but once it's done it is done. The bleed off tube is routed into can to catch the residual oil that gets discharged too.

http://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Drain-Valve-6Z948

 

[Danglerb]

I use a Speedaire auto drain. I wouldn't go back to manually draining a tank. The initial cost ***** but once it's done it is done. The bleed off tube is routed into can to catch the residual oil that gets discharged too.

http://www.grainger.com/product/SPEEDAIRE-Drain-Valve-6Z948

Nice, only $7.55 more than my compressor including a kit of impact wrench, air ratchet, blow off, tire chuck and some fittings cost.

 

[PoorOwner]

I have similar usage as the OP and the next day I would open the drain for a couple seconds, usually it is dry.. I would say the auto drain would be a waste of money and compressed air.

If you are blasting and porting then you will need to vent more afterwards but for the occasional recharge it doesn't get that hot