Air Compressor Q? Keep full or empty?

[garyk]

After heeding your advice a few days back, I went out and got my first air compressor . Boy, does it fill those skinny road bike FAST And I never realized that so many things could be stapled

Anyway, the instructions say that after use I should pull this pin that depressurizes the tank. In shops and at friends places, I don't recall them doing this.

It is a lessor quality 8 gallon unit from Harbor Freight if that makes a difference.

So what do you think, let it stay full, or pull the pin?

[Ryan Pultz]

I would guess this just keeps less pressure on the seals and thus promotes longer life. rp

[RvW]

If it gets used a lot, pull the pin daily or every other day
They collect moisture from the air and the tanks do get a significant amount of water in them even after a few hours use. This really isnt much of a short term concern for the tank itself, but your tools will last a whole lot longer without the water vapor being forced through them. If your tools require oil, be sure to put a drop in the inlet every time you use them. A drop of oil or two on the air intake filter of the compreser helps extend the life of the inner seals tremendously.

[MacEFL]

You NEED to drain the moisture out of the tank DAILY! I would turn it off after you are done using it and open the petcock on the bottom of the tank and leave it open til next use. I was a industrial mechanic for over twenty years and I had our compressor on a timer so it shut down when not in use and had automatic drains so it would blow the water every fifteen minutes. You won't have to go to that extreme but you DO want to drain after every use. You do not want to rust out the tank. As it sloughs off it will cause problems with your tools.
You can believe me or not, it's your choice.

garyk,

MacEFL has it dead on!

I have went into shops where I have had to plug in my air tools and the moisture content is so high in their system that you get water vapor out of the exhaust port on the air tool. I also have been in shops that their reciever tank is 1/3 H2/0, we are talking a 1500 to 2000+ gal tanks. they either don't know / care or the auto drains are non working. (PPP maintenance)

[garyk]

Thanks for the excellant info guys. The instructions mentioned nothing about a petcock valve and draining the tank. Thanks too for the tip about oiling the air filter to keep the seals lubed. You airheads are great

[sinker]

I can tell in no time at all when our air dryer goes out at work. instant water spaying out the back of the air tools.

guess I'm spoiled at work, have 2 big Ingersoll screw compressors with an air dryer. Now if only I had that at home......