I'm looking for a new auto drain for my air compressor, but all the affordable ones I'm seeing online have the same 'problem' as the one I already have. You can adjust how often the tank vents, and for how long, but the least frequently they vent is every 45 minutes. Who needs to vent their tank every 45 minutes, 24/7? I don't get it. I end up unplugging it most of the time and just plugging it in a few times a week to vent the water out of the tank. Anyone know of a reasonably priced auto drain valve that can be adjusted to only go off once a day (or a couple times a week)?
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Compressor Automatic Drain Valve
- Thread starter tom86951
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bpwoodworking
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Have you searched McMaster with those parameters?
Busted Knucles
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Your most reliable, cheapest and time adjustable is a manual ball valve. Keep it simple is my policy.
That's only reliable if my brain is reliable and I'm less convinced of that these days.Your most reliable, cheapest and time adjustable is a manual ball valve. Keep it simple is my policy.
To the OP, I would consider an auto drain that is pneumatically operated based on the the unloader. It opens when and only when the unloader cycles, which would only be after the compressor runs and shuts off. Unfortunately, my only experience with one is the cheap harbor freight version and I couldn't get one that didn't leak over about 120psi. And that's after swapping out a couple of them, replacing all the o-rings, and fiddling with the spring preload in the valve itself.
Let us know what you wind up with.
the float style is certainly the easiest. Some have problems with getting a bit of debris on the valve seat, and no sealing properly.plug it into a timer and then it will do it one time per day if that's what you want! I like the models that only drain when there is water to remove no electric needed.
William....
plug it into a timer and then it will do it one time per day if that's what you want! I like the models that only drain when there is water to remove no electric needed.
That's actually really good idea and it will work with what the op already has. Just get a mechanical
Sorry this post turned into a dumpster fire. It now looks like I'm quoting the original comment or and I don't know how to fix it on mobile.pool timer and set it to come on for 1 hour every day. During that 1 hour period, it should drain one time. I guess the only issue is if it resets or something after losing power.
Know you already bought a electric valve.Your most reliable, cheapest and time adjustable is a manual ball valve. Keep it simple is my policy.
A manual hand valve that extends out from under the tank so that’s it’s foot operated is really simple and reliable
dr_clyde
Well-known member
To answer your question about “who needs to vent their tank that often”, the answer is industrial users.
A LOT of commercial applications require constant air to run pneumatic systems or packaging equipment or any number of things. The tanks will accumulate water at an alarming rate and will need draining frequently.
When I worked at a large brewery we had a 80hp screw compressor that ran 24/7 to maintain air to the plant. In the summer the air dryers pulled enough water from the compressor that it just was a steady trickle of water out of the drain of the condenser. The tanks drained off gallons a day.
For a home shop, just crack a valve every few times you run it.
A LOT of commercial applications require constant air to run pneumatic systems or packaging equipment or any number of things. The tanks will accumulate water at an alarming rate and will need draining frequently.
When I worked at a large brewery we had a 80hp screw compressor that ran 24/7 to maintain air to the plant. In the summer the air dryers pulled enough water from the compressor that it just was a steady trickle of water out of the drain of the condenser. The tanks drained off gallons a day.
For a home shop, just crack a valve every few times you run it.
bpwoodworking
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My compressor system vents off air draining from the coalescing air filters every 60 seconds or so. I had auto drains in previously but they would stick once in a while and run the system in a constant loop.
It’ll push out a fair amount of water in the summer months.
It’ll push out a fair amount of water in the summer months.