Compressor automatic drain valve?

[fitzgr8]

Hello all. I am having problems with my Wilkerson X51 drain and was wondering if anyone else on the forum has one installed. I have it "T" from the unloader line on my Cambell Hausfeld 60gallon 7hp compressor and when the compressor reaches its maximum pressure and shuts down the valve opens and stays open. I have taken it apart and lubed it with magnalube PFTE grease and it still sticks open!

 

[1steve]

Hello, did it work properly the way you have it hooked up now? If so disregard what i say after this. I think your problem is you have it tied in to the unloader line, the unloader line bleeds air off thats why is stays open. The pilot line has to be hooked into unregulated line pressure. When the compressor cycles it fires the valve because of the pressure drop, kick on and off pressure has to be around a 20 plus psi difference to operate correctly. Example if compressor kicks off at 175 and drops to 150psi valve will open. Hope this helps.

 

[fitzgr8]

Any idea on how to hook up to a "unregulated line pressure". Does this mean I have to "T" off my line where the airline is hooked up?

 

[56nash]

the diagrams I have seen show the 3/8' port hooked up to the drain at the bottom of your tank and the 1/4' port on the valve hooked to as you put it the place your airline is hooked up, and whenever the compressor tank pressure drops below 20 psi the valve will open and drain any condensate from the tank. I use an electric one with a timer you can set to drain it at preset intervals.

 

[sstruckguy]

Most automatic drains are set up to be installed at the lowest point on the tank. Condensation and the goo that is usually attached, will be at your lowest point.

As per Wilkerson:
"Automatically drains water from compressed air receiver.
Drains everytime system pressure decays (20 PSIG)

If you take a look at this PDF from their site, it will help you resolve your issue:
http://www.wilkersoncorp.com/9EM-TK-190/9EM-X51.pdf

 

[fitzgr8]

I need to "T" the 1/4 line into another location other than the unloader line I guess.

 

[fitzgr8]

So I ended up putting a "T" inline as shown and all is well now. Spits water out every time there is a 20psi drop.

 

[PSEUDOSENTIENT]

I have a new 60 gallon vertical Husky. What I did was open the drain valve at the bottom of the tank just a tiny bit so there is a little hiss, and leave it. Its so slow of a leak that if I use the compressor, when I come out to the garage the next day after its been powered off its still hissing. By 24 hours its empty. Just seemed like a good way to make sure it stays clear of water. I suppose that qualifies as "automatic" and I didn't have to really do anything or spend any money. I decided to do this after finding that after a couple days of being valved off the thing bleeds down anyway, I couldn't save the air.

Seemed like a good idea to me fwiw.