Water in Compressors

[pitontheprowl]

I have seen a lot of problems posted here due to water issues.

As air is compressed, it heats up....Try touching the tank inlet line, it will burn you quick.
While the air in the compressor tank cools, it will condensate and muild up moisture in the the tank.
Most peolpe run a moisture trap right at the tank, for a small compressor this may work, most of the time it will not.
The air in the line will hold moisture all the time, period.

I know on your little compressors it is not practical and most of you do not have the space do do a propper set-up.

Your set-up should include the compressor, a flex line between the tank and hardline, a hard line mounted on the wall (metal of some type, NOT PVC) of at least 3 feet, and then a water trap.

The metal hard line gives the air a place to condensate just before it reaches the trap, I run 2 traps and then my regulator, as well as another trap and regulator @ my ab hose.

[Leighton]

Hi Pit,

I have my water trap on the end of my hose just before the AB is this correct?

water_trap.jpg

[redneck]

nice picture leigh but I am puzzled about the paint spray that appear to come from the airbrush close to where your thumb is

[Leighton]

Hi Redneck, that is not paint spray coming out of the brush it is a light reflection on a curtain that I have protecting my bedroom wall, hehehe, I can see what you meen though.

[rafezetter]

I'm glad you posted this Pit as I do seem to have a recurrring problem with spurting water after my compressor has been running a while, I was/am considering one of those small filters Leighton has on his Ab as backup - I'd be interested to know how that's working for you Leighton?

[heartless]

there is another option for those working indoors & dont want to use a "hard line" setup - this is not to say it is the best way - the hardline would be best, but it does work - I use this method myself.

from the compressor outlet fitting, run a length of hose approx 8 feet long minimum (2.5 meters for those of you using metric). at the end of that line, place a moisture trap/filter (i use the drainable type myself, but you can use whatever style you prefer). on the outlet side of that, hook up your airbrush hose.
running the distance out from the compressor gives the air time to cool, which is where the water comes from...

my current "in house" compressor came with an 8 ft coiled hose, i just attached my trap/filter to the end of that, and then the airbrush line...works like a charm!

[Leighton]

Originally Posted by rafezetter

I'm glad you posted this Pit as I do seem to have a recurrring problem with spurting water after my compressor has been running a while, I was/am considering one of those small filters Leighton has on his Ab as backup - I'd be interested to know how that's working for you Leighton?

Yes Rafezetter, this trap works well and only cost a few dollars.

[PAULYBOY]

Years ago I tried several different types of driers that mount between the hose and the airbrush. Unless you have absolutely bulletproof technique and monster arm muscles, they all interfere with your style after a while. I like the idea of an inline trap between the airbrush hose and the hoses that come with most compressors. Most compressors with tanks have a safety valve type drain on them. If yours does, do your compressor a favor and drain it after each session.

[Joyce]

Good advice Paulyboy and I found out the hard way. Drain those compressors. Another life lesson under the belt.

[Leighton]

I drained my compressor the otherday while it was full of air - opps, it emptied alright, but I got a nice little pellet of ice shoot out of the hole, hehehe, now I do it with about 10% of air in there, and leave the drain valve plug out for the night.

[Cajunspride]

Hubby ran my lines for me (with a little input from me). I have the coiled hose that came with the compressor running to a hard line, into my building, once in the building I have a farly large (atleast I think so) water trap..hardline runs about 9 more feet and I have another water trap and then my regulaters. We are running 2 ABs on 2 regs. Does that sound like enough? We are just starting and only today got to play a little with it for the first time.

[pitontheprowl]

Sounds like more than plenty