hotdram

I know many of us here us air compressors at home or work. I always purge mine after use, I don't let it sit around charged up all the time (although it would be easier to not have to fully charge it everytime I want to use it). I am amazed at how much water will come out the drain even if it has only sat for about 1 day. Was just curious if other folks out there drain their tanks or not.
Found this site while looking for "air tanks" on google: Exploded air tank
Here is one pic:


~Rob

Haulin_in_Dixie

My tank at home is 60 gallon vertical, I drain it a couple times a year, get a couple of gallons. The truck tank gets very little condensation. I have a hunch that the intake of the compressor being from the intake manifold of the engine keeps condensation down as it is already hot air that is being compressed. And then it has the boost level already compressed.

1320

I rarely ever drain mine. Probably once evry year or two or three......I have a 70 gallon upright and I plumbed in and extra (tank only) 125 gallons that sit out side next to my shop. I never purge the air out, its charged all the time.

I do live in a dry climate though. In the past.....I ve gotten maybe a quart.

TPilaske

I drain mine after every use...

edwinsmith

Compressing hot air may have more moisture in it than cool air since hot air can hold more moisture than cool air. The condensation comes when the air is compressed and then cools in the tank. It can not hold the humidity which was in the uncompressed air so it condenses.

That reminds me, I need to go drain my tank.

Edwin

Hemi Cat

I try to drain mine about every 3 monts or so. Out here in the desert we have humidity levels of 5-30% for the most part, but this past year we have had record amounts of percipitation, so I get a lot more water when I drain the tank.

Mopar1973man

I drain mine once a month and I'm lucky to get a 1 oz. of water out of it.

SoTexRattler

Here on the Gulf Coast, we LIVE for 30% humidity days!!
When we get up to our "usual" high temp/very high humidity days, a compressor can make significant water!!!

FYI: Go to Harbor Freight, pick up their "Automatic Compressor Drainer Kit" for $18.00.
I installed one on my new C-H 26gal vertical unit. Each time the compressor starts, or stops, it shoots out a shot of air/water. Pretty cool!
One recommendation... Tube it up with 1/4" copper tubing for the interrupted air control line...The VERY high temp discharge air right off the compressor discharge unloader line(which is what controls the drain valve) will melt the cheap vinyl tubing that is supplied with the kit, effectively scaring the crap out of you when it swells like a balloon and goes BANG!

Keith

edwinsmith

I just drained my tank. Had about a teaspoon of water in it.

Haulin_in_Dixie

A teaspoon, itn't that nice In the middle of the night when the dew is real heavy and everything is wet, you can see the water line on the verticle compresser. I drain it when it gets eight or ten inches high.

SoTexRattler

Glub Glub...

SoTexRattler

One thing I did pick up on the original URL of the exploded tank...
"Not built to ASME codes..."
Still, corrosion will do 'em in regardless how they're built.

K.

nickleinonen

i drain mine about every 3 months... i usually get about 1 liter out per draining... i have a remote line coming out with a petcock on it so it is easially accessable

wannadiesel

I drain mine when I'm done using it. If I'm using it a lot on a hot humid day there is plenty of water in there. I put the drain out where I can reach it, it used to be on the bottom where you'd skin your knuckles on the concrete trying to get it open.

The work truck has automatic drains.

upersleder

i have to drain mine all the time, i dont know if its an air compressor or water maker!