Compressor quick blow down
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 4
From: Southern California
Compressor quick blow down
I'm sure it's not an original idea but after messing around with the crappy little screwdown bleed valve on my Craftsman compressor I rigged up this little setup so I can blow the sucker down with just a quarter turn.
What is not shown is the 10ft of 1/4 " tubing that is now attached to the barbed end. Now I just reach under, pull the tubing out to the street and open the valve. No more wheeling it out to the street to blow out the condensation.
Total cost for fittings and tubing was around $15.
What is not shown is the 10ft of 1/4 " tubing that is now attached to the barbed end. Now I just reach under, pull the tubing out to the street and open the valve. No more wheeling it out to the street to blow out the condensation.
Total cost for fittings and tubing was around $15.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,049
Likes: 5
From: Emerald Coast, FL
One very important facet of "bleeding" your air tank... the faster you let the air out... the more condensation that builds up in the tank. The rapid air flow cools the inside of the tank below the outside temperature and actually builds additional condensation inside the tank You now have to wait 'til the inside and outside of the tank are the same temperature and the extra condensation has time to dry or your just wasting time by draining the tank in the first place. I think it states on most tanks to bleed them slowly... now you know page 2.................
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
One very important facet of "bleeding" your air tank... the faster you let the air out... the more condensation that builds up in the tank. The rapid air flow cools the inside of the tank below the outside temperature and actually builds additional condensation inside the tank You now have to wait 'til the inside and outside of the tank are the same temperature and the extra condensation has time to dry or your just wasting time by draining the tank in the first place. I think it states on most tanks to bleed them slowly... now you know page 2.................
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Gloucester County, Southern NJ
I have a Craftsman compressor with the screw down bleeder valve on the bottom and I always drain my compressor every time after I use it. I leave the valve open when it's not in use. No rust spots and no problems in the 15 years or so of owning it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 5,548
Likes: 4
From: Southern California
One very important facet of "bleeding" your air tank... the faster you let the air out... the more condensation that builds up in the tank. The rapid air flow cools the inside of the tank below the outside temperature and actually builds additional condensation inside the tank You now have to wait 'til the inside and outside of the tank are the same temperature and the extra condensation has time to dry or your just wasting time by draining the tank in the first place. I think it states on most tanks to bleed them slowly... now you know page 2.................
That's why I drain it AFTER I'm done using the compressor.
I roll the tube out to the street instead of having to roll out the whole compressor, relieve most of the pressure via the relief valve on top then open the 1/4 turn valve. The air and any moisture bleeds out and I leave the valve open until the next time I need compressed air.
Usually a week between uses. Plenty of time for the inside and outside temps to equalize.
Whole purpose was to eliminate that screwy little valve that was a pain to get at as well as having to roll the compressor out of the garage to blow it down.
Last edited by Primo; Oct 6, 2010 at 01:25 PM.