What's the proper way to store an air compressor?

[ricepudding]

OK, i have a 2hp 8gallon oiled compressor. I don't use it every day, so I drain the air then leave the drain valve open. Is this the proper way to store it? Could leaving the drain valve open cause the humidity in the air to condence on the tank surface? Where I live, the temp goes below 0 at night, and above 15c during the day. Could the cold metal tank cause condensation?

 

[gungatim]

I don't know if there is a "proper" way, I do know lots of people empty and drain theirs (I don't--auto drain and ball valve shut off to shop lines instead), but I don't think I would leave the drain open. Too much chance of condensation in there if not sealed, plus with my luck, some critter would make a nest in there and mess up the threads...

 

[Davefr]

Condensation is when warm moist air hits a cold surface. When the compressor is running the warm air coming into the tank can and will condense and cause moisture which should be drained.

However when the compressor is stored the temperatures are equalized inside and out so there should be no condensation simply from storage.

The key is to keep the tank dry. And if it's dry then I really don't see any need to store it uncharged. In fact you'll introduce more moisture into the tank by having to fully charge it then if it's stored charged with pressure in a dry tank. Also the fewer complete cycles it has to do, the longer the life of the pump.

My $.02 worth.

 

[rick carpenter]

I drop my little 2 gallon DeWalt down to ~20 psi (and make sure the tank is dry) when storing it because I've heard that going zero to full to zero to full too many times might stress the tank too much over the long run. I don't know if that's true but it's what I do.