water seperator WITHOUT filter?

[slackdaddy1]

I am trying to locate a basic CHEAP 3/8 or 1/2" water separator without filter.
I am finding the ones with a filter and or regulator all day long in the $20-$30 range. but the only "water separators" I find are in the $100-200 range.

This is going after my "after cooler" to collect the water,, I do not need or want a filter at this point, just a separator.

Thanks,
Slack

 

[drewsifer714]

Yes that sounds about right.

Those cheap regulator units are just that cheap, and ****. They're really not designed for flow.

For what you're doing, I assume you don't want much restriction. For that you are going to have to pay up.

 

[RocketScott]

I have a couple filters from coilhose pneumatics. The filter element can be removed and they will still catch water.

I wouldn't be surprised if this one from harbor freight was the same:

https://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-compact-air-filter-68230.html

 

[dogdog]

Mine never catch water.... I have the Craftsman equivalent look-alike of that HF unit... except the quality of the housing is a lot better.... Still don't filter anything.

This might be better, I do see water during Summer months but the regulator component is cheap... most of the regulator controls were out on me...I remove them and only use the housing, still doesn't filter water or separate water enough for spraying sometimes. It's really just a giant coalescing filter inside a 3 inch tube, if you ever take one out.... the coalescing filter element is good, housing is cheap might needed to repaint after water have been collected inside.

https://www.harborfreight.com/industrial-air-filter-regulator-68247.html

 

[md21722]

Why do you want one without a filter? The basis of many of these units is a coalescing filter design. The filter helps protect downstream elements, such as the regulator, from tank rust, oil from the compressor which for certain tools is not desirable, pipe scale, and any Teflon or pipe dope in the lines. For the water separator to work the air needs to cool down so typically at least 25-50 feet from the compressor itself. If you want one without a filter, use an extra tank! Lots of oilless units fail and people sell them for dirt cheap. Toss the failed compressor head/motor assembly and use the extra tank as a water separator. Take the outlet of your compressor and plumb it into the top of the tank. Then use the outlet to connect to your air lines. The extra tank will catch a lot of water!

 

[MacMcMacmac]

There are lots of SMC branded ones on Amazon, but they are all near $100.

They usually have a vane style vortex generator inside them to spin the air and knock out the water. You can see some of these plates in a few of the plastic bowl filter units. It might not be hard to make something up like that with a used filter housing and some metal work if you need it really cheap.

http://www.somangroup.com/water_seperator.htm

 

[slackdaddy1]

One thing that strikes me as odd, is the high CFM ratings for the 1/4" units (across all brands). I figured I needed at least a 3/8" unit, as that is what my line from the comp pump to the tank is. The pump is only 6 cfm @ 90 psi,, so a 1/4" separator should not restrict air flow at all ??

 

[MacMcMacmac]

No. 1/4" will pass way more air than 6cfm.

 

[slackdaddy1]

OK, after some research, I want a Coalescing Filter,, not a particulate filter.

So in your opinion a Coalescing Filter with 1/4 NPT would be fine between the pump and tank on a 6cfm pump?

Nick

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Probably. Read the specs on whatever you want to purchase and make sure you can get replacement elements for it. Make sure it is not exposed to hot discharge temperatures, and it has a metal bowl. Remember to drain it.

It is generally a bad idea to have any possible restrictions in flow before the tank, since that is usually where the pressure switch is. You don't want pressure building up before the tank. A guy nearly lost his arm here a few years ago when a copper pipe burst when someone closed a valve on a supply line leading to a tank and the compressor didn't get a signal to shut off.

I still don't get everyone's obsession with aftercoolers on this site.

For this application I would still prefer a separator, then filter the air after the tank.

 

[slackdaddy1]

"For this application I would still prefer a separator, then filter the air after the tank."

And that is why I was looking for a water separator WITHOUT a filter in my 1st post.

I will add a pressure relief in the pipe from the compressor to the after cooler.

 

[sberry]

It may get too hot before the tank.

 

[slackdaddy1]

"It may get too hot before the tank"
Yeah, did not think about that.