i cant be the only person with this problem

[slimshady_2469]

am i doing something wrong here?
i have a 26 gallon craftsman air compressor and i havent really had any problems with the compressor itself, but the drain/air release on the bottom is starting to piss me off! ive had the compressor for just under 2 yrs and i will be replacing the drain valve for the 2nd time. is this normal? should i just have an extra laying around? i fire it up and it just wont seal anymore, air just releases slowly.

any tips if im doing something i shouldnt be? only thing i can say is its not kept in the dryest of location, but its not getting rained on just damp.

thanks for any help

 

[walrus]

Are you using a replacement from Sears? Not sure what it looks like but I'd get something else to work if so

 

[zuspiel]

You're not alone. I've had mine for a year and I'll have to do something about that valve. It still seals but is more of a trial and error process... (plus it's a pain to open and close)

Anybody know of a cheap, easy to use replacement valve? I don't mean an automated, timed, computerized, fancy thingy...

 

[goodfellow]

You're not alone. I've had mine for a year and I'll have to do something about that valve. It still seals but is more of a trial and error process... (plus it's a pain to open and close)

Anybody know of a cheap, easy to use replacement valve? I don't mean an automated, timed, computerized, fancy thingy...

It's a 1/4" NPT thread, so just get rid of that cumbersome valve and put a 90 degree elbow on it along with a small easy to reach ball valve.

I have one on my portable compressor because it was frustrating the heck out of me to constanly bend down and try to loosen that cheap "winged" drain valve.

The seats in those OEM valves corrode very quickly, so a nice brass elbow and valve will last a while

 

[zuspiel]

Thanks a lot, goodfellow! I think I'll do that.

 

[fourfeathers]

Go to a truck parts store and buy a semi air drain cable valve. it is under $10 and will last for decades.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AIR-...2739QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts#ht_500wt_976

 

[goodfellow]

Go to a truck parts store and buy a semi air drain cable valve. it is under $10 and will last for decades.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AIR-...2739QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts#ht_500wt_976

Thanks -- great idea!! I have the perfect use for that valve. Draining a hard to reach airline in my friend's shop. He has a manifold and drain right behind a huge milling machine. We've been looking at auto drains, but with a 4ft. cable, the problem is solved on the cheap!!

 

[zuspiel]

Go to a truck parts store and buy a semi air drain cable valve. it is under $10 and will last for decades.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AIR-...2739QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts#ht_500wt_976

Yeah, that would be perfect, but it's only rated for 120 psi. The 26gal CMan shuts off at 160 psi. I'll try to dig a bit...

 

[fourfeathers]

Yeah, that would be perfect, but it's only rated for 120 psi. The 26gal CMan shuts off at 160 psi. I'll try to dig a bit...

Hmmm, i didn't remember the 120 psi rating. I adjusted our Quincy 2 stage to shut off @ 120 to protect a clear filter I had installed, so maybe that is why it has been fine for me. I put it in several years ago, with no problems. My home Craftsman is nowhere near 150 psi, so that one is fine too. I wonder if brands other than Velvac are higher? When we order them from Midwest Wheel, we get what we get.

 

[kythri]

I replaced the one on my compressor with a "Husky" valve from Home Depot - seems to work a lot better, and not seize up or **** out.

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

It's a 1/4" NPT thread, so just get rid of that cumbersome valve and put a 90 degree elbow on it along with a small easy to reach ball valve.

I have one on my portable compressor because it was frustrating the heck out of me to constanly bend down and try to loosen that cheap "winged" drain valve.

The seats in those OEM valves corrode very quickly, so a nice brass elbow and valve will last a while

That's a good idea. I've had to replace the drain valve on the bottom of my CH compressor a few times b/c it rusted out. It was cheap to begin with.

Last time I ordered three from CH, but they've improved the design and haven't had any problems since.

 

[KCarGuy]

Due to the Water, Dirt, Rust and Oil that comes out, its no wonder that they leak so much. I upgraded mine to a Stainless steel Ball Valve shutoff. It comes with a nylon ball in the center, so no garbage can stick to it. It has worked for years without fail.
It drains out the back of my garage (which is hard piped)...must scare the **** out of my neighbor when he is in his shed!

 

[toadjammer]

I use a common ball valve, probably under $10 at your local hardware store.

 

[tankboy_taylor]

yea I got a 33g craftsman and overall its a great at home compressor for the money but boy is that drain valve a pos what a horrible design and such a pain in the *** to open or close gonna upgrade that asap

 

[zuspiel]

I think I'll go with a ball valve. I like simple...

Thanks, guys!

 

[goodfellow]

Go to a truck parts store and buy a semi air drain cable valve. it is under $10 and will last for decades.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AIR-...2739QQptZOtherQ5fVehicleQ5fParts#ht_500wt_976

Kudos to brother "fourfeathers" for passing along this fix.
It actually is a truck air brake drain valve, but this little mechanical drain valve might just be a great alternative for you guys that don't want to bother with autodrains on your compressor. I purchased two valves. One went on my friend's milling machine air feed and the other on my home 60 gal compressor.

I had installed a ball valve, but got tired of bending down and fumbling with the lever. This valve quickly installs right after the ball valve and has a long steel cable that can be hung on a hook next to the compressor. When you're ready to drain, just give the cable a short pull and the water drains effortlessly.

The valve has MAX pressure of 120psi, but my compressor is at 125psi -- no problem with the 5psi difference. It works like a charm.

It comes with a choice of 48" or 60" cable pulls

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/cgi-bin/ryderfp/products/product_detail.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0409455406.1240842806@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccceadegmhldgdecfkmcgfmdfoldflm.0&oid=51680

http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/cgi-bin/ryderfp/products/srm/oid/51681/pn/Air-Tank-Drain-Valve-60-Pull-Type/erm/product_detail.jsp