Filter with automatic drain

[mayday0017]

I hooked up my new refrigerated dryer today and ran a hose from the threaded port on the bottom of the filter inside the dryer and ran it to a bucket. I assume the filter drains automatically since it is inside the unit which is held shut with 6 screws. The line running from the filter however constantly leaks a large volume of air. I am pretty sure this isn't normal, how can I confirm this is an automatic drain on the filter? Also assuming it is an automatic drain how do they work/what could be wrong?

 

[PT Doc]

Brand? Photos?

 

[930dreamer]

X2 on pics, is the filter a bowl shape design?

Speedaire specs

Nos. 3YA49 and 3YA50 include an illuminated On/Off switch, high-efficiency separator, and no air loss float drain. Nos. 3YA51 to 3YA53 include an illuminated On/Off switch, high-efficiency separator and timed electric drain. Nos. 3YA54 to 2DBA1 are equipped with stainless steel heat exchanger, dew point temperature indicator, and timed electric drain.

 

[mayday0017]

I assume the brand is Champion, it is built into my refridgerated dryer. When you remove the side cover it is screwed on to the brazed lines inside. When I got the dryer the drain hose wasn't sticking out of the back so I opened up to find there was no drain hose. I have since screwed a connection to the bottom of the bowl and have a plastic line running out of the back of the unit. The are continuously blows out of this plastic line enough that it wips back and forth.....

See pics

 

[930dreamer]

Something before the bowl/filter isn't closing.

 

[mayday0017]

I'm not even 100% positive it is suppose to be an automatic filter, I can't find a copy of the manual....

 

[930dreamer]

Any pics of the whole unit?

 

[mayday0017]

No sorry, isn't much to see.... there is for simplicity a lid that this thing screws to that has a hole in the middle with a pipe connected. You can see the first 1/4" of this pipe, everything above that is covered in a foam spray insulation.

 

[mayday0017]

To me the insides of this bowl look like what you would find in any other filter that is auto draining... I don't have any experiance with them though so not really sure how they work. Any insite?

I do have a "Guess" at how they work... basically a check valve using a ball and the air pressure pushes it to keep the valve from leaking. As water collects in the bottom the ball starts to float and over comes the force of the air and starts slowly leaking water out. This is 100% theory with out taking one apart, but assuming it could over come the pressure this makes sense to me.

http://www.drillspot.com/products/41235/wilkerson_grp-95-973_pneumatic_auto_drain

 

[mayday0017]

Any suggestions on how to fix it, or what could be wrong? Is my design concept how they actually work?

 

[EOC_Jason]

Try giving it a good cleaning with simple green or some other mild detergent. The float probably got gummed up from being dirty + sitting for a while.

 

[buening]

I believe your thought process is spot on. My Norgen filter/regulator has an automatic drain and I will randomly hear it spit. It has a white plastic float somewhat similar to your picture except the top is gear shaped. I'd take your filter off and with the float installed, fill it with water and see if the water drains and the float comes up. It may be sticking or a piece of debris is holding it in place.