Thread: Air Compressor Problem

id rinse the tank out with a solvent or something like penetrine..
or maybe penetrine then a solvent
Do you use a inline oiler for your air tools?
relay the main thing is to drain the tank regularly or at least crack
the drain valve so any water can be expelled.
If the tanks too rusty it could be a safety concern.
aaron

I wouldn't worry about it.

All air compressors have this issue.

Just drain them regularly.

The rust won't come through the air line as it's not a dust and being wet it won't move .

The tank is unlikely to rupture as such. At worst it will leak through a rust hole if it goes that far.

Generally the compressor passes some oil into the tank which tends to inhibit rust anyway.

There are thousands of small air compressors in use in Oz and many are ancient, and I can't recall ever seeing a news item where one has blown up.

Rob

ya saying a little rust in the tank is a safety issue was probably a bit much

I have adopted my fathers compressor (he was a automotive spray painter) his was made in 1969 (probably about the time as the music festival at Woodstock), and its still going strong rust and all.
I'm in the process of giving it a quick cosmetic restoration. I'll post a pic of it when I get a chance.

Originally Posted by GTVi

I have adopted my fathers compressor (he was a automotive spray painter) his was made in 1969 (probably about the time as the music festival at Woodstock), and its still going strong rust and all.
I'm in the process of giving it a quick cosmetic restoration. I'll post a pic of it when I get a chance.

My Binks Bullows 7.5 cfm is 1970's and still going strong.

Built to last.

Rob

Thanks for the replies. I feel happier now. I will rinse it out and leave it for now. I don't have any concerns about it rupturing, only about the damage to tools and long term damage.

Aaron I don't use an inline oiler. It is only a cheap compressor so I don't think the tank material will be very thick.

I have a 45kg gas bottle as a larger storage for bigger jobs. It is only turned on when needed. Maybe I should drain that too!

Dean

Originally Posted by Oldneweng

Thanks for the replies. I feel happier now. I will rinse it out and leave it for now. I don't have any concerns about it rupturing, only about the damage to tools and long term damage.

Aaron I don't use an inline oiler. It is only a cheap compressor so I don't think the tank material will be very thick.

I have a 45kg gas bottle as a larger storage for bigger jobs. It is only turned on when needed. Maybe I should drain that too!

Dean

Dean it's highly likely that the larger 45 kg tank will have a lot more water in it, as by the time the air gets there it will have cooled to dew point and condense out.

That's why driers only work when at least a couple of metres away from the compressor.

Rob

Originally Posted by nearnexus

Dean it's highly likely that the larger 45 kg tank will have a lot more water in it, as by the time the air gets there it will have cooled to dew point and condense out.

That's why driers only work when at least a couple of metres away from the compressor.

Rob

Thanks Rob. You learn something every day. The 45kg tank does not get used much but when it does it is for big jobs. I will check it. I will also think about the position of the dryer. I use hose from the compressor, which goes up to the roof level. The 45kg tank comes off a seperate connection point on the compressor. Food for thought.

Dean

Originally Posted by GTVi

I have adopted my fathers compressor (he was a automotive spray painter) his was made in 1969 (probably about the time as the music festival at Woodstock), and its still going strong rust and all.
I'm in the process of giving it a quick cosmetic restoration. I'll post a pic of it when I get a chance.

back then they built them out or real steel

I took the drain tap of my compressor and attached a 24 V retic solenoid to the drain junction. The solenoid is powered via a 24V retic transformer which I power via a standard GPO from inside the shed (mine compressor is outside my shed. You could also wire the solenoid power to the compressor switch so that it automatically drains when the compressor is turned off.

Thanks for the reminder on draining the compressor tank.
Mine is a 12 cfm 3 cyl job of about 40 yrs old.
I drain the tank every so often & change the oil about once a year.
Its stiil going strong & will outlast me. I do get a bit of rusty water oil sludge when draining it.
Now, to go & drain the tank!
regards
Bruce

Originally Posted by nearnexus

Dean it's highly likely that the larger 45 kg tank will have a lot more water in it, as by the time the air gets there it will have cooled to dew point and condense out.

That's why driers only work when at least a couple of metres away from the compressor.

Rob

Hi all with reference to to the secondary tank all trucks and heavy buses with air brakes full or air over hydraulic have a wet tank [primary] before the main air tank for that very reason. Army drivers are required to crack the drain cock every time the vehicle has finished duty for the day.On commercial vehicles some are fitted with automatic drain valves.On cracking a wet tank there is always oil water sludge that comes out.Hopefully not too much oil as that indicates a worn compressor.Seconday tanks do get some moisture but not much.
The climate does dictate usually the amount of water depending on humidity.0.02cents worth John.

I usually only check the compressor oil every couple of years, as it doesn't normally use much - well not until now

The other day I notice the compressor had a bit of an unusual rattle (more than the disc valves in the head) and checked to see what was going on.

Oil level was way down. Still perfectly clean and not gritty, so no damage done, but very low.

Topped it up and everything is going as good as new again.

The cause of the oil usage is probably because I use air tools a lot more now than ever before - the two die grinders, and the air needle descaler, and the spray gun all add up.

So looks like I will need to check it a lot more regularly than in the past.

I drain it regularly and there's always oil in the water, so the penny should have dropped.

Rob

Originally Posted by j.ashburn

Hi all with reference to to the secondary tank all trucks and heavy buses with air brakes full or air over hydraulic have a wet tank [primary] before the main air tank for that very reason. Army drivers are required to crack the drain cock every time the vehicle has finished duty for the day.

We're supposed to do that at the start of every shift. Most of us forget and when we do remember, the amount of water,oil & sludge that comes out makes me realise that EVERYONE must forget to do it!

Simon