[BjornBee]

I have a 4hp 12 gallon air compressor in the garage. Been there being used for no doubt 10 years plus.

I needed to take it down to the farm for some work and when I pulled it out, it must have at least 1/3 of the tank filled with water. It is heavy too.

I know water tanks and such have a "ballast system". But I'm not sure about air compressors. The tank does a clean out valve at the bottom. Should it be emptied? Does all the water come out?

Thank you.

 

[Iddee]

Air compressors in factories are either drained daily or left slightly open to drain constantly. Water in an air system is very detrimental. Drain it all and continue to drain it on a regular basis.

 

[alleyyooper]

By all means drain it. You probably can not get it all out either but you should be able to 99% of it out if the drain is down ill a dab.
You can plumb in a water trap in the air line. That is a good thing to do if you run air nailers and paint sprayers as it keeps the moisture out of them.

You can also plumb in a auto oiler too. good ones are adjustable.

:mrgreen: Al

 

[G3farms]

On my air compressors I remove the little "radiator" type drain valves and intall a street ell, long nipple, ball valve and then sometimes a short piece of copper tubing. With the ball valve sticking out from the bottom of the tank it is accessable and you will see it. If you can see it and access it easily you will drain it more often. We are all lazy and just hate to have to lay in the floor to open a little valve.

Drain the tank often, especially in the more humid months.

G3

 

[BeeHunter]

go outside and unscrew the petcock valve on the bottom and drain the water. It may be clogged if it's been that long. use some wire to open up the opening. Be careful if the tank has pressure, it will be coming out fast. old rusty water stains everything and that wire under pressure might "poke an eye out"!
Water is collected due to humidity in the air. Back in western Colorado I emptied mine every friday. Here in Missouri I empty it every day or 2 if I use it!

 

[hankdog1]

Make sure that you change the oil in the compressor too. Like has been suggested before put a water trap into the line and make good and sure you keep your tools oiled up good. Like they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.