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screen printing => Tips and Tricks to Share (Please don't ask questions here) => Topic started by: 3Deep on September 27, 2021, 03:34:14 PM
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For you that still use a compressor in your shops, if you haven't or not in a while, go make a few turns on your compressors peacock and let the water build up out, I know we have dryer/chillers between the press and the compressor, but letting that water out helps, just did ours and more water came out than I expected ::)
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OMG! I took your tip and went back there and opened mine up for the 1st time in about a year or 2 and had no Idea! I know there was atleast 3 1/2 gallons that blasted out of there.
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Or add an auto drain? Peace of mind and not too expensive
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I think I drained 5 gallons the first time I did it. Installed auto-purge since then. . .
pierre
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When we had to move 4 years ago, we had 2 50 gallon compressors, and one of them probably had 30 gallons of water in it, LOL.
Steve
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I think I drained 5 gallons the first time I did it. Installed auto-purge since then. . .
pierre
That will be my next purchase.
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Or add an auto drain? Peace of mind and not too expensive
This. We have auto drains on the compressor and chiller. Worth every penny.
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hey all you really should look into an auto drain it is very dangerous to have moisture (water ) build up in any pressurized component especially the receiver tank. The trapped water brings corrosion that you can not see when extensive enough it can result in explosive failure of the containment vessel. If you have ignored this for a long time maybe then a $20.00 bore scope from Amazon working through your smart phone can save you from a potential disaster.
Here is a YouTube search on compressor blowups...worth a look
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compressor+tank+blowout (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compressor+tank+blowout)
mooseman
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You don't drain it daily? Last thing I did before leaving the shop every night was open the valve to let all the water out. Most manufacturers recommend to drain daily or at least weekly to prevent premature tank rot. If you don't have an auto drain definitely drain it daily in my opinion.
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hey all you really should look into an auto drain it is very dangerous to have moisture (water ) build up in any pressurized component especially the receiver tank. The trapped water brings corrosion that you can not see when extensive enough it can result in explosive failure of the containment vessel. If you have ignored this for a long time maybe then a $20.00 bore scope from Amazon working through your smart phone can save you from a potential disaster.
Here is a YouTube search on compressor blowups...worth a look
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compressor+tank+blowout (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compressor+tank+blowout)
mooseman
I've seen enough of those to know I don't want to see another one.
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I've always installed the Kaeser air towers with everything built in from the chillers to automatic drainage and bells and whistles. I love the engineering that goes into them but it stops there. Too much else to do and I'm happy to report these machines by this brand are built like tanks that monitor themselves. I can see the next generation of them just sending an automatic diagnostic report by email to you.
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hey all you really should look into an auto drain it is very dangerous to have moisture (water ) build up in any pressurized component especially the receiver tank. The trapped water brings corrosion that you can not see when extensive enough it can result in explosive failure of the containment vessel. If you have ignored this for a long time maybe then a $20.00 bore scope from Amazon working through your smart phone can save you from a potential disaster.
Here is a YouTube search on compressor blowups...worth a look
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compressor+tank+blowout (https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=compressor+tank+blowout)
mooseman
I've seen enough of those to know I don't want to see another one.
It might also be prudent to remind folks that using PVC pipe for compressed airlines is also a big No-No.
When it ruptures (and it can) it throws off shards of shrapnel that can be very hazardous.
Standard PVC pipe is not rated for use on compressed air.... by any manufacturer
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We drain ours weekly. Easy maintenance.
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I have a valve on a timer that releases water for 5 seconds every 15 minutes.
All my air lines are black irrigation pipes, 11/4" 16 bar. Never had a problem. Very eary to connect.
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Well I'm doing the big NO NO ::) I got thick 1/2 pvc pipe running from the compressor to the chiller, buttttt the outside pipe is inside a metal pipe and the pvc running on the inside shop is wrapped in a foam sleeve, so far no problem with anything busting. I didn't want to run metal because the fear of rust over the years, but I do need drain my tank more often.
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You don't drain it daily? Last thing I did before leaving the shop every night was open the valve to let all the water out. Most manufacturers recommend to drain daily or at least weekly to prevent premature tank rot. If you don't have an auto drain definitely drain it daily in my opinion.
Word, I'm baffled by some of the stories here.
I don't do it "regularly" but I bleed out different sections from time to time as I'm standing around doing whatever. Each drop is designed to collect in the bottom which has a purge valve that I crack open from time to time.
My auto drain stopped working a long time ago, so I just crack it open out back when I happen to be back there... no more than a cup drains out when I do it.
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I tried to do it right when I did the air system here 14 years ago. 2 Kaeser towers (for redundancy and growth) with internal chillers.Additional external chiller. Auto drain on all three units. Polished aluminum air lines throughout the building. I can add to, cap off, add drops, isolate areas, etc as I want or need. Depending on season and use, I can fill a five gallon bucket in a week. I rely on my local Kaeser folks to do my maintenance. I used to do it myself, but I've passed that along to them. More peace of mind. No more "when I get around to it"
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Our lines are copper, couldn't tell you the specifics, but it was installed by our plumber of 25 years, while he was plumbing the gas lines, we know he's good.
Steve
PVC? Yikes, that would scare me.
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Well I'm doing the big NO NO ::) I got thick 1/2 pvc pipe running from the compressor to the chiller, buttttt the outside pipe is inside a metal pipe and the pvc running on the inside shop is wrapped in a foam sleeve, so far no problem with anything busting. I didn't want to run metal because the fear of rust over the years, but I do need drain my tank more often.
The key words here are "so far" :)
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You all don't dump your air when you leave every day/night? Last thing we need is a compressed tank sitting at the shop over night.
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i read that the oils from the air compressor can cause PVC pipes to weaken... also, i dont think that PVC pipes are osha approved - if they get hit with something they could break.
i set my air compressor to reduce pressure to 65psi at night and weekends when we arent here. its easier than draining 300+ gallons of air in the tanks.
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Well I'm doing the big NO NO ::) I got thick 1/2 pvc pipe running from the compressor to the chiller, buttttt the outside pipe is inside a metal pipe and the pvc running on the inside shop is wrapped in a foam sleeve, so far no problem with anything busting. I didn't want to run metal because the fear of rust over the years, but I do need drain my tank more often.
The key words here are "so far" :)
Yep I know so far, I've been telling myself I'm going to replumb it to metal one day, really ain't that much... one pipe in and one to the press area
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I had pvc years ago. It blew and scared the crap out of me. I was glad I was not in the room. I think it could have been dangerous.
When you replace the pipes I strongly suggest more unions than you think you need.
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We use this stuff for the entire shop https://www.rapidairproducts.com/shop/maxline/3-4-maxline-master-kit (https://www.rapidairproducts.com/shop/maxline/3-4-maxline-master-kit)
Northern Tool carries it
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We use this stuff for the entire shop https://www.rapidairproducts.com/shop/maxline/3-4-maxline-master-kit (https://www.rapidairproducts.com/shop/maxline/3-4-maxline-master-kit)
Northern Tool carries it
I was just going to recommend this to Daryl as well.
Easy stuff to work with for the most part.
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A third for the maxline. My entire shop was maxline, great stuff to work with.
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FastPipe like system here (AIRpipe). 1" main runs, 3/4" everywhere else. Highly recommend this type of system, do it yourself, modify it yourself, safe, doesn't corrode, etc.
As for tank draining, I hated doing that with our loud original 7.5hp air compressor. Picked up a 15hp rotary screw used and put on an auto tank drain after awhile, much better....
What I like about our newest, 25hp air compressor is the integrated dryer works BEFORE the tank, so the moisture doesn't really make it anywhere! still has an auto tank drain to be sure though.
It's not worth messing around with potentially dangerous equipment.
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who has a good auto drain they can recommend? Preferably one that doesn't need 110v run to it...we are out of space in the panel and I am really lazy right now anyway
I just redid the entire firewall, switch, phone system, camera system, new wifi, controlled access for the front door...all into a new server rack. I am done with stuff like this for a bit.
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I have Maxline here with an automatic drain on the compressor , I also put a dog leg with valve at the compressor and all lines are angled back to that point , I also have a dog leg with valve at the drops and drain every so often
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who has a good auto drain they can recommend? Preferably one that doesn't need 110v run to it...we are out of space in the panel and I am really lazy right now anyway
I just redid the entire firewall, switch, phone system, camera system, new wifi, controlled access for the front door...all into a new server rack. I am done with stuff like this for a bit.
I know some can be wired right off the power to the compressor and can even be set to only activate when the compressor is on.
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who has a good auto drain they can recommend? Preferably one that doesn't need 110v run to it...we are out of space in the panel and I am really lazy right now anyway
I just redid the entire firewall, switch, phone system, camera system, new wifi, controlled access for the front door...all into a new server rack. I am done with stuff like this for a bit.
i have one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NIQLPT8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NIQLPT8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1)
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Mine is triggered from the air line.