Is partially draining an air compressor after each use almost as good as completely?

[mike758]

I have a husky 60 gallon I bought about a year ago. I typically drain it completely after either using it hard or right before I paint. Other then that, I usually just open the drain valve for a few seconds to get the water in the bottom out. I’d imagine there’s probably still condensation from the air in there, but at least the bulk of water is out. The reason I don’t typically drain it is I often just use it for a few easy things, so I would be wasting a lot of energy.

 

[lbhsbz]

I dump mine once a week or so. I it plumbed to a ball valve. A couple quick open/closed and nothing else comes out. Been going on about 10 years now...doesn't see real hard use these days.

Keep in mind, the majority of the compressors out for occasional use likely never get drained, and they generally work fine for a very long time.

 

[Lelandwelds]

The compressor at the family business was never switched off or blown down to empty in 30 years. It was used when we bought it. The water was drained daily. It was not a piped system. It ran through 75 ft of 3/8 hose. The oil was rarely checked and almost never changed. It sat in the weather without even a roof. Everything on it was original except the belts and paint. It was used daily. Sometimes it was hard use.

It is out of service but still works.

 

[American Locomotive]

There is no need to air down the tank completely. As the air cools inside the tank, the water will condense on the tank walls and collect at the bottom. The only thing you need to do is drain it occasionally. Once the water stops coming out, you can close the valve.

 

[Rick B.]

^^^^ That right there.

 

[Mr_B]

^^ yep, that what I do couple times a week, never fully drain it unless on a long holiday or something .

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Just drain enough to remove the condensation that has collected in the receiver. It makes no sense to totally drain it as now the pump will need to run longer to refill the receiver, creating more condensation and placing additional wear on the pump and motor.

 

[HaroRider]

I empty my compressor down completely every couple of months. It doesnt get the use like it once did since I got my M18 tools. I really never put much thought into it.

 

[ovrrdrive]

Buy one of the extended drain hoses from HD and install it in the bottom. That way the water sits in the hose, not the tank. I drain the water out about once a week. It comes out completely clean and rust free. I never drain mine because I use it 5 or 6 days a week and don't want to pay the electric to keep filling it. Just turn off the ball valve at the tank at the end of the day and leave it charged.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Extended-Tank-Drain-Valve-Assembly-072-0023H/205183928

 

[fsae0607]

Buy one of the extended drain hoses from HD and install it in the bottom. That way the water sits in the hose, not the tank. I drain the water out about once a week. It comes out completely clean and rust free. I never drain mine because I use it 5 or 6 days a week and don't want to pay the electric to keep filling it. Just turn off the ball valve at the tank at the end of the day and leave it charged.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Extended-Tank-Drain-Valve-Assembly-072-0023H/205183928

I have something similar to this on my compressor, but I used a street brass elbow, ball valve and sections of brass ******. Condensation sits in the *******, so it comes out rust-free. That way I know my tank is happy

I crack the valve at the end of the day using my compressor and before I kick it on to use it. Never drain it completely.

 

[Al Borland]

I power mine off when not in use and open the drain until water stops coming out. One is 25 years old and works fine, the other is 70+ years old and works as well (and slowly) as it did when built.

 

[pepi]

Put one on these on, and forget about it, compressor has had one of these on it for 7 years. Just for kicks once a year if it needs it or not, open the drain valve and laugh every time no water. It dumps short burst at the begging and end of every recovery cycle, teed into the unloader line...

http://www.gosuburban.com/Moisture Minder Installation Instructions.pdf

 

[johninct]

I would prefer to only quickly drain out the water and sometimes that is all that I do but you can't beat draining out the tank completely. I have drained out the tank completely , closed the valve then opened the valve again the next day before use and a little air/ water still came out.

 

[mbshop]

My shop had an older tank comp. We drained it daily but just till nothing comes out. I changed the oil yearly.
I also turned off the power in case of a leak. Nothing like a comp running all day or weekend.

 

[kkroger]

You realize that is just intended to dump condensation right? it doesn't mean empty the receiver... Compressors at the Rail yard for Ground Air run 24-7-365 and part of the rail supervisors job was to blow the condensate twice a 12 hour shift, the compressors run continuous. Compressor at the shop is on all the time, we blow the condensate every morning. Never shut it off. it doesn't mean shut it down and drain the air it means blow the condensate daily...