Lubricating and drying air system

[OverkillYJ]

OK. So after doing some homework I realize I need to dry and lubricate my air system. Here is what I have and what I need. Hopefully someone can tell me what to buy. Link would help too of course.

So I have a 2 stage compressor with an 80 gallon tank, 3/4 pipe, 4 air hookups and a air powered hydraulic vehicle lift. I need to keep the entire system bone dry, except for lubrication to tools and lift parts. I also need to have one hookup regulated, and bone dry with no oil at all for painting and blowing things off, but capable of going up to about 180psi. Minimal maintenance is a plus. Cost is a concern, but I am not going to cheap out and buy **** parts either. I would like something I know will last at least 5 years with about 50 hours of use per month. I dont know what brands are good or bad in this area.

Thanks for any help you guys can offer. This forum has been awesome so far.

 

[rlitman]

I would suggest you install lubricators directly on the things that need lubrication. Your plumbing does not need lubrication.

 

[CNGsaves]

I would suggest you install lubricators directly on the things that need lubrication. Your plumbing does not need lubrication.

^ ^ ^ This. You'll want a F/R/L unit (filter, regulator, lubricator) combo unit only on the airline drops that are supplying air to tools needing oil.

There's been prior threads on topic so use Advanced Search or Google and see what prior GJer's have done. Several brands were mentioned.

Also you just missed a couple months ago the IR Close-out website that GJer posted where combo F/R/L units were selling for $18 to $25 . . . AND included Free shipping to boot !! I don't have my big compressor running yet and I bought one. Brand is ARO which is decent, but crazy cheap that I couldn't pass up the deal.

 

[larry_g]

OK. So after doing some homework I realize I need to dry and lubricate my air system. .

Lets clarify this a bit; you need dry air in your distribution system. That requires an air drier near the compressor. You have air TOOLS that require lubricated air. You lubricate air at or near the tool to prevent contamination of the piping system.

I'm also curious what you have that requires 180 psi of air? This is going to require something above the standard 2 stage compressor.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[OverkillYJ]

Lets clarify this a bit; you need dry air in your distribution system. That requires an air drier near the compressor. You have air TOOLS that require lubricated air. You lubricate air at or near the tool to prevent contamination of the piping system.

I'm also curious what you have that requires 180 psi of air? This is going to require something above the standard 2 stage compressor.

lg
no neat sig line

Tank runs at 160 psi. Like I said, it controls a vehicle lift. I would never buy something that maxes out where I am running it. My tank is rated for 200psi.

The reason I said I would like to lubricate the line is because of the lift at the end. I am assuming some lubrication would not be a bad thing to keep it in working order for a long time. I was not sure about putting something on the intake of the tank. I know for sure I need something at the output though. I would like to dry my line as much as possible.

As far as lubricating the entire line, I did not realize that would cause any problems. If I can only do it at each tool hookup that is ok, just more work. Right now the major thing is to get it all clean and dry. I already have a single regulated and dry output for painting. It is old so I will probably replace it. That part I know how to deal with.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

The very best thing you can do for air tool lubrication is to simply lube them by hand occasionally. Unless you are running a production bench with an air tool hanging over it on a spring, you really don't want to bother with dedicated oilers and air hoses for them. It all becomes quite messy in the end and the air tool generally gets more oil than it really needs, making a mess.

If the lift needs oil (unless it is an air motor, I cannot see why it would need oil) install a dedicated oiler at the lift.

Be aware that many oilers (and water separators and filters) have max pressure limits. Quite frequently I have found that they are rated up to 150 psi. so if you need to oil at more than that pressure, you will need to shop for an oiler rated for a higher pressure.

What kind, brand, etc, of lift is it?

Charles

 

[stonesfan68]

It must be August, because I've received no less than three calls this week from people with the same issues.

I presume that you have a 7.5HP compressor and no after cooler. What you need is a refrigerated air dryer rated for high inlet air temperatures. Go to Ingersollrandproducts.com and find the closest distributor. Ask them about a D42IT dryer. It is rated for 25 SCFM at 200 PSIG. It includes an aftercooler, pre-filter and refrigerated air dryer all in one unit. That will solve your moisture problems for sure. It should run you about $1,600 for the unit. It runs off of 115/1/60 power and is super easy to install.

There are other brands to choose from, of course. If you want quality, industrial equipment then stick with Hankison (HIT25 + filters), Ingersoll-Rand or Zeks (who makes dryers for a lot of manufacturers).

IR High Temp Dryer Information

I would lubricate the tools as required and not install a lubricator.

You can install a single pressure controller after the dryer, or put them at the point of use.

 

[OverkillYJ]

The lift is a Globe hydraulic controlled by air. The Compressor is a Quincy. Yeah I do not want to reduce the pressure, or go down to 150 and use something rated at 150. I will just get industrial parts if I have to to handle more pressure. The higher pressure makes the lift work better. Not to mention that when I lift a vehicle 5ft and am using multiple air tools I do not need to stop. I can just keep going.