Do you keep your compressor pressurized when not in use?

[gatorgrabber]

When I only had a small compressor I didn't think much about letting it leak down after use. Now that I have an 80 gal unit, I'm curious how you folks store them when not being used. It will only be needed once or twice a week, so it's not like I have a commercial garage. I'm thinking that closing the ball valves and turning off the power is the way to go; what say you?

 

[jayoldschool]

Stays pressurized. Now that my retractable hose has a leak right at the end, I unplug the quick connect that feeds the reel.

 

[dr_clyde]

I just have a ball valve on the tank that I close at the end of the day. It's always under pressure, and there is always power to it. It's an Ingersoll Rand T30 and seems to not care.

 

[gatorgrabber]

I would think that it would be easier on the tank to leave it pressurized, thus reducing the number of pressurization cycles (think airplane).

 

[espyking83]

Hell no

 

[May Pop]

Mine has been on for over 25 years. Only empty it out to put a new valve or drain on it.
Summer or winter. Always on and ready to use.

 

[canuckian]

tank stays pressurized but the main ball valve is closed and power is cut.

 

[May Pop]

Compressed air costs money. Dont waste it.

 

[gatorgrabber]

Any context regarding "Hell no"? Just curious...

 

[AndrewV]

I drain it daily at the shop. Even with an air dryer, it still keeps build up in the lines, and connection points low.
Because the first day i started, i drained the lines. A shot glass worth of water spit out all the line drains.
Accumulation still occurs. And power down the compressor at the end of the night.

 

[ford33]

I keep mine pressurized at all times. As said earlier compressed air costs money to create why waste it. It takes time to build pressure and I like having it ready at all times.

 

[Moose364]

Mine stays on year around, I always shut main Ball valve,

 

[Steevo]

I shut off the power to the compressor before I walk out of the shop.

 

[Kev442]

Pressurized yes. On, no.

 

[Leadberry]

At the shop it was policy to cut the power and drain the tank when we went home for the night. The compressor was the cornerstone of our shop...nothing would run without it. Keeping it drained was cheap insurance.

 

[fury9]

I turn it off, I drain it sometimes and it makes one hell of a racket

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I turn it off and let the air out. Just a habit I have always done.

 

[blackwire]

I know with trucks, you are supposed to drain the air tanks because if you let it sit too long the condensation will build up and rust/corrode the tanks, valves, fittings etc. This especially noticeable in the summer, a lot of water comes pouring out the air tanks.

 

[slip knot]

Mine stays powered up and online 24/7.

 

[Zrexxer]

24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for however many years I have the compressor.

 

[Scsmith42]

I have an auto tank drain on my primary compressor. At night the ball valves are closed and power shut off.

Years ago when I owned a machine shop an air hose blew one weekend and the compressors ran for 48 hours straight. That is one fire hazard that I don't want to have, hence my disconnecting the power at night.


Scott

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Power down, yes. Drain down, no. Compressed air is more expensive than natural gas.

And a ZRX is a classy bike.

 

[gatorgrabber]

I'm seeing a trend developing here...

 

[marinusdees]

I have 2 compressors. One set to come on at 80# off at 100#. This stays on 24/7. I also have 5 HP De Vilbiss plumbed into the same system. When I want to use the hoist or run air tools, I turn on the
De Vilbiss, thus having two on line. The smaller one is a recycled dental compressor with two 3/4 HP powerheads. The big one is on at 90# and off at 140#. If I am going out of town, they are both off. Rarely go, ergo the 24/7.

 

[gatorgrabber]

I'm actually wondering about keeping mine at the factory setting of 175#. Perhaps an adjustment down might be in order??

 

[goodysgotacuda]

Compressed air costs money. Dont waste it.

Yep, that's energy used. Unless I have a reason to dump it, I'll leave it in there.

I do cut the power, in case I do develop a leak somewhere.

 

[C96]

I’ll cut power, drain whatever condensate, and then close the ball valve on the tank supplying the air lines.

Yes, I leave the tank pressurized.

 

[shooting4life]

I keep that tank and main line pressurized. Ball valves at the drops stay closed unless that drop is needed. AC stays powered off unless needed. Most of the time all I need to do is fill a tire or blow something off, so I can get a lot of use without powering on.

 

[JKennedy]

Kill the power, close the valves and leave it pressurized for the next day.

 

[92GreenYJ]

Mine did until it developed a small leak that I have yet to pin down and fix. I think it's on one of the mounting feet where it's welded to the tank. Need to crawl under and fix it. ***** having to wait for that big *** tank to fill whenever I need to use my air.

 

[ripperd]

I only use and drain mine about once a week. I Always shut it off when I'm done using it, but pretty much always leave air in it. I don't have fancy shop lines, just a 25' hose on a 21 gallon upright. Its nice not having to run it at all if I just need to top off tires or use the air nozzle for a second.

Funny story. At some point I forgot to turn it off after working. Our back bedroom wall is a garage wall, and at 3 or 4am one time we hear this noise. After about 30 seconds of analyzing the noise I figured out that it was the compressor cycling. Whoops!

 

[Farmall450]

Mine stays on year around, I always shut main Ball valve,

Same here. I'll flick the motor off too. Just in case...

 

[Farmall450]

I'm actually wondering about keeping mine at the factory setting of 175#. Perhaps an adjustment down might be in order??

It can most likely safely hold much more than that, I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[crewchief888]

I shut off the power to the compressor before I walk out of the shop.

me too

 

[devoncoolman]

Always leave the tank full. Always close the ball valve @ the tank. Always kill the power just incase a leak pops up worst that will happen is the tank drains. Too much wasted energy to fill the tank everytime. 80gallons is alot of air. Plus i like to be able to quick fill a tire if need be without having to turn the compressor on or wait for it to fill up. Also always keep it filled for times like when hurricane sandy rolled through out of power for days. Like to have compressed air on tap for emergencies. Never know may get a flat on my truck might need to be able to run my tire machine or air up a tire run an air gun never know. Ive learned its better to automaticly prepare for the worst. That way im never caught with my pants down!

 

[e30bradley]

I leave mine full at 165 psi. If it sits a while it will leak down to about 45 and then stop there. Seems like some of you think its more likely to blow up if your not there

 

[gatorgrabber]

It can most likely safely hold much more than that, I wouldn't worry about it.

It wasn't so much safety as it was need. Now that I think of it, I'll just leave it alone and worry about other things that don't need fixing!

 

[sberry]

Mine is on 365/24/7 but do keep he breaker off to the secondary.

 

[Davefr]

Never leave a compressor's power on. If a valve fails, gasket/line blows then it'll come on and not stop until the thermal overload triggers. If the thermal overload doesn't trigger you could be faced with a burnt up motor/possible fire.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Turn power off after use.. Drain condensate on a regular basis,, but leave tank and main line pressurized...