intercooler added to BelAire compressor

[djmartins]

Here is the intercooler I added to my BelAire 7.5hp air compressor.
The compressor is in it's own room with a disconnect right outside the door.
I used an oil cooler with 1"NPT inlet and outlet but had to reduce it to 3/4" because the tank had a 3/4" check valve.
I welded up the frame from 1" tubing for the radiator and 240v fan.
You can see the motor mount from Surplus Center I added to the setup.
There are two auto drains that are connected to a hose that all my drains go to that exits the building through a PVC pipe in the wall into a hole filled with gravel.
Next is to build a shelf for a Dominic Hunter refrigerated dryer and the filters for that unit.

Thanks go to all the GJ, I stole every good idea I saw here to build this!

 

[Greatbear]

Nice setup!

 

[W-Cummins]

does that go from the primary/first stage to the secondary/stage of the pump or between the pump and the tank? I can't tell from the pictures... BTW are you the SOB that out bid me on the black drain a few weeks ago??

William.....

 

[djmartins]

does that go from the primary/first stage to the secondary/stage of the pump or between the pump and the tank? I can't tell from the pictures... BTW are you the SOB that out bid me on the black drain a few weeks ago??

William.....

William,

The cooler is between the pump and the tank.
I removed the 3/4" copper pipe, took the 1" to 3/4" adapter off the pump and put in my black pipe to the radiator.
Running it I found that there was water on the pump side of the setup so I added the blue auto drain.
It gets hot on the pump side but pretty cool on the radiator to tank side.

Don't know if it was me who outbid you, I use sniping software on Ebay.

 

[Stephenw]

Where did you get the intercooler?

 

[djmartins]

Where did you get the intercooler?

Ebay, took a lot of searching to find one that was 1"NPT in and out.....
It is a Fluidyne DB-5383/G2 heavy duty truck oil cooler, measures approximately 13"x12"x3".

 

[MikeMustang]

This may be a dumb question, but if the intercooler is between the pump and the tank that means it is pressurized. I didn't think truck oil coolers were under that much pressure. Is the intercooler rated for the pressure that you are keeping in the tank?

 

[Strouty]

^^^
good question, I was wondering that myself.

 

[coldfusion21]

Ya, I'm curious about pressure rating. I'm sure it's 100-150 psi to cope with engine oil pressure but a two stage pump( if yours is) can be 175+

Great idea though, and looks very "clean" installed, like it's meant to be there.

 

[djmartins]

Is the intercooler rated for the pressure that you are keeping in the tank?

Beats me but it is built exactly like the ones they sell for this application for 10hp and up compressors.
Hasn't blown up yet and it is in a separate room so I am not worried and have seen other people build them using oil coolers.
The world is filled with safety worry warts, no wonder hardly anything get's done anymore.....

 

[djmartins]

I'm sure it's 100-150 psi to cope with engine oil pressure but a two stage pump( if yours is) can be 175+

Do you really think they have safety factor of 25psi?
C'mon now people!

 

[I can fix anything]

What is the reason for installing this?

 

[djmartins]

What is the reason for installing this?

The purpose of one is to cool the air going into the tank and take out a LOT of the water before it gets to the tank.
Few commercial compressor coolers I've seen have auto drains on them which is silly.

 

[W-Cummins]

William,

The cooler is between the pump and the tank.
I removed the 3/4" copper pipe, took the 1" to 3/4" adapter off the pump and put in my black pipe to the radiator.
Running it I found that there was water on the pump side of the setup so I added the blue auto drain.
It gets hot on the pump side but pretty cool on the radiator to tank side.

Don't know if it was me who outbid you, I use sniping software on Ebay.

Just kidding about the outbid part!

So then the set up you have installed is an Aftercooler not an intercooler ( inter-stage).
The drain you have is not really intended to do what your trying to do. You want a water/liquid separator and then attach the drain to it. Here is a larger model than you need but the same type of filter on mine.

As you can see the XB3-04-M00 drain goes on it, not directly to the tank line. Mine is a model WSO but you will need one of the smaller WSA models. These separators are designed to go between the after cooler and the air receiver.

William

 

[Xicaque]

Sub'd

 

[sam.coll]

Sub'd

To a thread that is 4 years old???

 

[Xicaque]

Yeah! I am doing some research while stuck in Afghanistan. Looking to do this to my Quincy when I get back.

What are you up to?