Water/Condensation within Air Compressor

[BetterDays]

I have your standard, run of the mill $300 Craftsman compressor (the one that is always on sale). Being in Ohio, we do get the cold winters here...

However, I get a lot of water in the compressor and into the lines..

I drain the tank (of water, not air pressure) before, during, and after I use it. I have also installed an inline 'filter' from Harbor Freight. The filter catches almost none of the water and it comes out of the tool (or hose end when disconnecting).

I do run the compressor quite a bit when working, which I know is part of the problem. However, there has to be a solution..

*Does placement of the filter, when compared to the tank and/or the hose reel affect how well the filter will trap water?

Any suggestions that I can try. Warm weather is near, but I think this has more issues than just cold temperatures/heating the garage while in use/cold temperatures.

Thanks!
Kevin

 

[kartracer55]

You want the filter as far away from the compressor as possible but of course, before the first drop. You want to give the moisture in the air time to condense so it can be "caught" by the filter. A normal particle filter wont really collet all that much water. After a day of using the compressor I can open mine and I will get maybe 2 drops at most. I know there is moisture getting by my filter, but I keep my tools VERY well oiled (possible to over oil?) so Hopefully this wont hurt them too much.

The idea behind running metal lines instead of hose is that the metal helps draw heat from the air to cool it, allowing the water to condense in the lines. Running 100ft of hose wont allow this to happen.

Wait for others more qualified than I to give further input before making any decisions

Jim

 

[BetterDays]

I didn't run any hard lines with my set up. That may be part of the issue, I suppose...

 

[MarkH]

I have what sounds like a similar compressor. It seems like it gets alot more water in it than others that I have used. Not sure if the airless style or the 150lbs is creating more heat.

It sits under a bench and has a short hose to the air filter which is mounted on the far end of the bench and the tap comes of of that. That has been the easiest to use vs connecting to the compressor.

 

[kartracer55]

The compressor most likely does not run as cool as an oil cooled unit, which isnt helping the situation. The hose is also part of your problem. Hardlines are pretty important.


Jim

 

[MarkH]

Actually for me the set up described ends up with water in the filter and less in the compressor than just tapping into it. The key from some experimentation was the location and height of the filter and having it sitting solidly mounted with pipe in and out of it. The short hose connection from the machine to the piping did not seem to make much difference.

The comparison in water collection is to multiple units in farm use with just a hose straight out of the compressor. The oil - less 150 lbs does drain much more water than the oiled 125 lb machines. All in the 35 to 35 gallon size.