So the other day I had to change the regulator on my air compressor. While doing so and letting all of the air off the compressor I got down in the floor and opened the little valve under the tank and drained it.

 

It reminded me I hadn't done this in a while and there was quite a bit of water in the tank. I usually try to do this regular, but for some reason it had gotten off my mind.

 

How often do you get down to get to the little butterfly valve and drain your tank?

Come on now be honest.

 

Have you modified it so you can get to it without having to get under it?

Hi John..

Actually, I do this once a year, and I do it this way..

 

Turn on the air compressor and let it fill until it shuts off.

Unplug it, and roll it outside.

Carefully and slowly open the drain valve and let the built-up air pressure drive out all the condensate.

Close the drain valve when all the air and water are expelled.

Roll 'er back in.

 

I also remove and clean the air filter at the same time.  Oh yeah, wipe it clean too.  One more..  Pump it back up a ways and pull the relief valve ring to ensure it's working properly.

Larry

 

 

I do it every time John Moody reminds me.  Thanks John.

Like this John.

Or this:

http://www.paragoncode.com/shop/compressor/

Pull the little butterfly valve and put a fitting in with a small ball valve on it.

 

Makes it easier to drain and if it's easier, you'll do it more often.

Thanks Rich for that Video. I love that. What kind of fitting is on the bottom?

 

Mike you are correct, if it is easy, like what Rich is showing you will do it every time you are leaving or entering the shop.

 

I guess that will have to move up my todo list.

My oldest compressor is about 25 years old, and I think I've done that twice (!). I have a slightly newer one (bought used) that I've had about 10 years, and it's never been drained by me. I don't discount the importance, but it's something I can never remember to do. Now that you reminded me, I may drain both sometime in the next week or so.

I'm very anal about that and drain the water every time I use the compressor and sometimes frequently during heavy use. Here in Michigan with the humid summers. O'l Bessy can give a fair amount of milk.

 

-Ace-