Draining a compressor Lesson learned

Something I just learned about my compressor this past week that I thought just might be good info for others. I've always been a bit fanatic about taking care of equipment and thought that I was doing the right thing draining my compressor tank every time I used it. I have an inexpensive Sears compressor with about a 2 Gallon tank on it and never did get much water out of it. The other day I carried it out to the garage to put air in the tires (with the drain opened) and left a trail of rusty water through the house.... (Wife wasn't to mad)

It was then that it dawned on me (duh) that the tank drain ISN'T on the bottom of the tank and instead is slightly off center. All this time draining the tank and all I was getting was a small amount of moisture out of it as it continued to fill up to the drain point...

I only mention this so others can check to ensure that IF you are draining your air tank, make sure the drain is at the bottom, otherwise it will just fill up with water and rust out the bottom of the tank....

Cliff

[KDSilverBrush]

yep, Yardnut is right. I drain mine often, and was surprised to see after a short time, how much rust showed up in the water.

[madasahatter101]

Keeping the drain open when not is iuse is good. The other thing i do is start the compressor with the drain open for a few minutes and it helps to force the junk out of there with the drains that are off center.

[fontgeek]

I drain my compressors at the start and end of each painting session, sometimes in the middle too if it's really humid.

some manufacturers don't put the drain in the bottom dead center because that same spot also makes the drain valves too easy to get broken, or too hard to get to. They may put the valves up higher but with a siphon/feeder tube that goes close to the bottom, that way it lets them keep the valve out of harms way, and still lets you get most or all of the water out. That may not be the case on yours, but it might.