How To Drain Air Compressor?
If you want to increase the durability and working capacity of an air compressor then it is essential to know how to drain air compressor efficiently. The biggest advantage of this constant maintenance is that it keeps away any kind of in-built water that can otherwise result in damaging any device you attach.
Most operators use different tools to condensate draining, however, it is easily carried out using drain valves either automatic or manual, depending on the moisture content. Also have a look at, how to change air compressor oil.
In this blog, we’ll be suggesting some ways and tips of cleaning the drains of your air compressor.
Draining Your Air Compressor
There isn’t any hard-and-fast rule when it comes to draining the air compressor. All you have to do is just follow some easy steps to get past the process. As we have mentioned earlier, draining can be carried out in one of the two ways either manually or automatically.
Manual Draining
Finding out Valve Location
If you have the usual air compressor then you may find the drain located at the bottom of the case. However, in advanced models, it can often be found on the side. Most people find the side valve easy to operate, but it can’t be considered as efficient for draining out all the moisture.
Opening the Valve
If your drain is in the bottom then you can easily let out water just by opening the valve. Just don’t forget to put a pan below it to avoid creating a mess on your floor. Whereas for side valves, you have to drive the water out of it to completely remove the moisture. You can also catch lints and dirt by tilting the compressor as it drains.
You can achieve it by starting the compressor for a short duration to build some pressure. After that you can just open the valve and you’ll find water rushing out along with compressed air. For collecting the dirt, you have to keep the air compressor moving.
Closing the Valve
After you have completely drained, it is recommended to stick a thread tape before closing the drain. This tape will make sure that there are no leaks within the compressor. If you detect any leakage then you can always stick in more tape and fit it tightly.
Automatic Draining
Some of us can’t keep track of the timeline after which draining is crucial for air compressors, thus it gets difficult for them to clean regularly. So, it is wise to use automatic draining techniques to avoid any damage. Most people think of it as a burden to your pocket but it is an investment that can be beneficial for a long time.
If you are using a heavy-duty compressor daily then this can be of good use. Just get rid of the manual draining valve and install a fully automated electronic drain. Once it is connected to a power supply of around 12 volts, you just have to set the frequency after which you require draining. It can be adjusted to daily, weekly, and monthly timelines.
Lastly, you have to keep a container to collect all the drained water and empty it to avoid overflowing.
FAQs
How can moisture affect the performance of an air compressor?
As we know that every air compressor tank has a base of steel, so if somehow moisture builds then there’s a strong chance of rust. Depending on the steel or metal used in the compressor, the rust would take up causing the mechanics to jam that reflects on the performance.
What to do if you find water in the lines?
There might be two reasons behind condensation within your air compressor. Either your air compressor may have some fault in the condensation trap or the dryer is too big to catch up with all the water content. You can fix these issues by cleaning or changing the condensation trap and installing a bigger dryer.
Is it any way to automatically clean the air compressor drains?
Yes, automatic draining valves can be extremely useful for this reason. These types include timed-sequence, float actuated or electronically actuated drain.
Conclusion
When it comes to air compressors, there are some details that you have to consider to maintain it. Aside from which drain to use or the air pressure for filling, one of every the primary aspects of which is how to drain air compressor quickly and safely. Please have a look at how to adjust the Air Compressor pressure regulator.
Draining an air compressor can be a tacky business if you’re new to the device but once you follow all the required steps then it won’t be much of a hassle.
It should be noted that the more you use an air compressor the better performance it will deliver. So, for more longevity, it is recommended to keep using the air compressor with different tools and equipment for inflation and operation.