Compressor Tank Drain

[LDO]

Thanks to PlaneCrazy's idea of a tank drain, I played around with my version of it today. As usual, I went crazy and overboard on something simple. Found a paint that was very close to my Champion Compressor and changed some of the components based on what I had available and my thoughts on what would work best for me.

The shower drain looking thing will be the top and the bottom cap with the drain valve to drain whatever water ends up in this.

I had a 3/8 tap handy so I actually tapped the hole for the 1/4 hose barb. Going to run a flexilla 1/4 hose from my vent tube to this contraption. I cemented a bushing that goes into the bottom cap and mates up to the valve.

I've got about 25 bux invested in this because I had to buy paint.

 

[nadogail]

I unscrewed the little "Twist to open" drain at the bottom of the vertical tank of my compresser with a street elk and nippled over to a quarter turn ball valve so I can now blow the condensate from my compresser without having to get down on my knees.

 

[billwood437]

I unscrewed the little "Twist to open" drain at the bottom of the vertical tank of my compresser with a street elk and nippled over to a quarter turn ball valve so I can now blow the condensate from my compresser without having to get down on my knees.

Yes those twist valves are horrible. I did the same setup on my vertical tank with a brass 1/4 turn valve to drain.[emoji106][emoji106]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[atch]

I unscrewed the little "Twist to open" drain at the bottom of the vertical tank of my compresser with a street elk and nippled over to a quarter turn ball valve so I can now blow the condensate from my compresser without having to get down on my knees.

Yes those twist valves are horrible. I did the same setup on my vertical tank with a brass 1/4 turn valve to drain.[emoji106][emoji106]

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Me three. I also made a 3' long handle for the 1/4 turn ball valve so I don't even have to bend over to work the valve.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... I use a cable pull spring loaded tank drain, used with class 8 trucks, myself,....
No bendin' over, just pull on the cable a few times,....

 

[Snip]

Ayuh,..... I use a cable pull spring loaded tank drain, used with class 8 trucks, myself,....
No bendin' over, just pull on the cable a few times,....

As once a diesel truck mechanic I have used these on my air compressor tanks for years, even when access to the tank is blocked with "clutter" (AKA stuff we "need" but may never use) you can still reach over and give the cable a pull.
My new place I located the compressor outside and may go with an electric solenoid type system that I can activate from inside.

 

[Hooked]

I ran a tube up next to the pressure line and put a quarter turn valve with a short plastic tube coming off it. I keep a gallon jug handy so simply hold the tube in the jug and open the valve. Easy peasy.

 

[jdm5]

I probably over engineered mine (but hey, GJ...). 110v auto drain set for 15 seconds / hr (something like that, I forget exactly), connected to an Insteon home automation outlet, which energizes for 2 hours each night on a program. Can also use phone/computer to activate if that was necessary.

 

[a_whale]

<deleted>

 

[Sumboodie]

I unscrewed the little "Twist to open" drain at the bottom of the vertical tank of my compresser with a street elk and nippled over to a quarter turn ball valve so I can now blow the condensate from my compresser without having to get down on my knees.

Same.

 

[Verado1250]

Mine is pretty simple and easy to operate. I removed the drain pet-**** at the bottom of the tank. Put a 90 degree elbow on and then extended it out and put a valve on it. Came off that with another 90 and it goes through the stem wall with 3/4" pvc to the outside. On the other side of the stem wall, I put a 45 degree elbow to keep rainwater out. About twice a week, I just use my foot and open the valve and blow the water out for about 4-5 seconds. No bending over, and no mess with jugs, etc. to catch water. When I built my shop and poured the foundation/floors, I took careful measurements of the drain set-up and put in the sleeve when the concrete guys set the forms. It could be done with a long masonry bit, too..just a lot of work.

 

[Daedalus]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QQL2BPY/?tag=atomicindus08-20

This is a good option for $7. Half what I paid! I still have to bend down but don't have to reach under the tank anymore, and it's a ball valve too. I hold a paper towel over the port to catch the water and then crack the valve open for a couple seconds each day that I use the compressor. The hose is long enough to hold the condensation that builds up, so it minimizes rusting at the bottom of the tank.

 

[Copymutt]

Crack the drain from the control panel.

 

[planecrazy]

Thanks to PlanCrazy's idea of a tank drain, I played around with my version of it today. As usual, I went crazy and overboard on something simple. Found a paint that was very close to my Champion Compressor and changed some of the components based on what I had available and my thoughts on what would work best for me.

The shower drain looking thing will be the top and the bottom cap with the drain valve to drain whatever water ends up in this.

I had a 3/8 tap handy so I actually tapped the hole for the 1/4 hose barb. Going to run a flexilla 1/4 hose from my vent tube to this contraption. I cemented a bushing that goes into the bottom cap and mates up to the valve.

I've got about 25 bux invested in this because I had to buy paint.

Crazy and overboard is just about right. Looks great!

 

[infinkc]

I just have an empty container, few holes drilled on the top, rag inside. Auto drain set to drain for a few seconds every night.

 

[BearsFan315]

yeah a few spare 316 fittings... ******, elbow, ball valve.

 

[bad_idea]

OP, what exactly did you build there? I am curious to see it installed.

I have mine piped w/ ~12" of hose to a 1/4 turn ball valve. The ball valve is attached to the side of a coffee can at the bottom of the can. Crack the valve, water is blasted into coffee can, close valve and leave water in can to evaporate. No more mess on my floor. Slapped it together with c-rap I had in the garage in about 10 minutes. Longest part was soldering a few fittings together to attach the valve to the coffee can.

 

[LDO]

OP, what exactly did you build there? I am curious to see it installed.

I have mine piped w/ ~12" of hose to a 1/4 turn ball valve. The ball valve is attached to the side of a coffee can at the bottom of the can. Crack the valve, water is blasted into coffee can, close valve and leave water in can to evaporate. No more mess on my floor. Slapped it together with c-rap I had in the garage in about 10 minutes. Longest part was soldering a few fittings together to attach the valve to the coffee can.

Just something that my electric tank drain dumps into instead of venting onto the compressor or the floor.

 

[pcfithian]

Not sure if I have drained my vertical 60 gallon Sanborn compressor more than a few times over the past 20 years. Went to drain it the other day and nothing would come out.

Found this mung on the bottom, almost like mud. All cleaned out and a 1/4" street L with ball valve installed now, I plan to make draining the tank a regular habit going forward.