I NEED A Compressor

[starlight_tools]

(12-08-2012, 08:52 PM)EdK Wrote: Thanks guys. I'll just get it home and into the basement any way I can and not worry too much about the oil. Other than to check and make sure it has the proper amount.

Is copper good to use for air lines?

Ed

Ed

Probably the compressor will not have oil in it when it arrives "new", but should have a bottle of oil with it and a tag over the plug that says to add oil before use. The main problem with transporting a compressor on its side is that the oil will leak out onto the ground, truck bed etc.

If you use synthetic oil you will get a better duty cycle and be able to operate in wider temperature extremes than if you use regular oil.

Now as far as operating the compressor indoors or in the garage etc,

Inside air in the house has a higher "moisture content" than outside air, which means that as the air is compressed a natural product of compressing the air is that the moisture which is held in the air, condenses to the point that it forms water droplets, which then turn into pools of water in the bottom of the tank. If the compressor is mounted in an outbuilding, or even outside, the air that is pulled in has a lower moisture content and thus the water collected will be a bit lower.

My compressor is mounted outside, under the stairs and it only has troubles starting if the weather gets really cold. Eventually, I plan to enclose and insulate that space but it will not be heated. Helps to keep the noise down as well. and outside keeps the noise out of the shop.

When you install the compressor, make sure you add a water separator to it. Note that the water separator will only work if the air has cooled, so it should be away from the tank. A 50 foot holse between the tank and the separator will allow the air to cool so that it can do its job.

Piping for compressed air should be copper or black pipe. Either works fine. Avoid plastic pipe as it gets brittle when cold and the flow of air will absorb heat from itmes and super cool them. Nothing worse than having a bomb explode because the piping got too cold.

Piping should be installed with a slope away from the compressor and at the end of the line a drop leg to a clean out valve. Each leg should be installed with an upwards facing "tee" that then routes back down with 2 90 deg elbows. This way any water in the pipes will drain toward the outlet and not as much will get carried into the tool.

Walter