This past winter’s basement remodel finally gave me an excuse to get a compressor and some air nailers.
I didn’t buy anything fancy…just a 100psi 3 gallon portable compressor. I used it fairly regularly for a week or so, then sporadically over the next few months than put it away back in December or so.
After each use, I’d always open drain spigot in the bottom and let it decompress. I’d usually leave the spigot open and re-tighten the next time I used it.
This spring I pulled it out to fill up all the bike tires and kids sports balls and such.
I forgot to close the spigot so as it started to compress it began spurting out a bit of rusty water. Not much, maybe enough to wet your palm but definitely rusty.
Should I be concerned about the integrity of the metal now? Did I do something wrong/skip something in proper storing it? Is there anything to prevent this in the future?
Replies
Normal, don't worry!
Frammer's right.
Although when you open the spigot, move the compressor around a little bit so all the water has a chance to drain towards the hole. Do this as it's running and blowing air. There's always that little bit of water you never quite get, and I find that this helps quite a bit.
Yes, you are doing something wrong. Re-tighten it after you drain it, don't store it with the valve open.
Thanks everyone!
ok, I will ask, why not??
I'm not rightly sure. But every owner's manual that I have read says not to. My guess is the difference in ambient air temperature and the temperature in the empty tank will actually cause condensation inside the tank, but that is just a guess.
You read directions? Do you have an up to date man card??
Would you read it if he did ?....You are always welcome at Quittintime
nope!
ROAR!
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
Tankya!!!!!!!
Pancake or Hotdog?
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
Who cares!>G<
Thanks anyway, but I'm stuffed!AitchKay
Yes, and I also have an up-to-date credit card, and I don't like buying something more than once.
up-to-date credit card>>>>>>>>...
What ya goin to buy me?>G<
I spent 20 plus years looking after shipboard compressors & associated systems (100 to 500 psi). After 'blowing down' the storage cylinders regularly, always close the blowdown valve/nozzle, and don't worry about a wee bit of rusty residue ... if the air/water mix won't blow out when you open it , then you need to take other steps (with a great deal of caution - compressed air can injure and flying parts can kill)
Consult an expert if the tank won't blow down.
I never transport my compressor tank in a pressurized condition. It has a safety valve to protect against overpressure, but the darn thing will scare the $#%T out of you if a pothole releases it. ( experience......!!)
All the best
Diesldoc
Consult an expert if the tank won't blow down.
Yes...that's sorta what he's doing by asking here.
If the tank won't blow down, it's likely to the point of practical certitude that either the drain valve is clogged with a flake of rust or dollop of 'mud' or that the drain valve itself has become rusted shut so that it cannot be opened.
In either case, the prodedure is to depressurise the tank by manually opening the overpressure valve (hold it open till the pressure gauge drops to zero, and the sound of escaping air stops completely), then remove the drain valve and clean it or replace it with a new one (available for a few bucks in any decent hardware or auto-parts store).
Use teflon tape on the threads before screwing the valve fitting back in.
As Frammer said, it's normal for the condensate to be rusty, and as you pointed out, regular blow-down of the tanks is required maintenance. The owner's manual on my '95 C-H Pro (made for them by DeVilbilis before CH cheaped out and jobbed their manufacturing to China) specified weekly blowdowns, which strikes me as minimal.
The manual doesn't mention--but should--that high relative humidity of the ambient air where the compressor is used will cause a lot of condensate to collect in the tanks in a single day's usage.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....