H.F. compressor auto drain kit

[bobs409]

Anyone have one of these auto drain kits from Harbor Freight and does it work good? Item #46960

I am thinking of installing one as it's a PITA reaching under my 60 gallon compressor to drain it all the time.

I've never had one of these so how does it work? Can you leave the tank full of air on a regular basis by using one of these?

Thoughts and suggestions are appreciated...

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Some reading:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=110390

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=614279

Just made it through 19 pages of posts (missed three days). Friend/coworker just called (wifes being induced), so I am going into work to replace him.

 

[TBD]

Didn't work at all for me, I ended up going back to a ball valve and kicking it with my foot when I walk by.

 

[shovel]

Save yourself some trouble. Install an elbow with a quick opening valve that you can operate with the toe of your boot. You'll be a lot more comfortable with that than any failure-prone auto drain device.

 

[JohnFreeman]

I bought one, when I opened it up, it looked cheaper than the normal HF cheap looking junk. I dumped the parts into the extra widgets bin, and installed an elbow and a ball valve. Workee Workee

 

[gofastman]

yep, my valve cycled about 50 times before it gave out

 

[bobs409]

Thanks guys, I like the idea of adding an extension with ball valve.


Bob

 

[OccupantRJ]

You can install a normally closed solenoid with an electrical switch at a convenient remote location, and drain it with the push of a button. You can go a step further with a timer to do it for you, with a predetermined amount of blow-off time. Solenoids are plentiful in industrial salvage yards.

RJ