OT water in compressor, how to minimize/eliminate this? Options

[914 RZ-1]

If anyone has any experience with air compressors, I'd like some help/advice regarding the following:

I have a 30 gallon Craftsman compressor (built in 2008). 8.6/6.4 CFM @ 40/90 psi. I have a moisture filter before the hose hook-up.

1. RUSTY WATER IN THE TANK
When I drain the tank, there is always rusty water, maybe 1/4 cup or so. I know this is normal, but how much is supposed to come out? Is there an standard/typical amount that is normal?

2. WATER IN THE HOSE
I also get air in the hose that comes out whenever I use air tools. I get a few drops every few minutes. When I bleed the moisture filter, no moisture comes out.

3. IN-LINE FILTER
I'm thinking of getting another in-line moisture filter. I will be painting some parts soon and want to make sure that I don't spray water with the paint. What do I look for in a decent, in-line moisture filter?

Thanks!

[Jeff Hail]

Lot of good posts here. Good info on what works for others who may be in areas with more/less humidity than other places.

In the small garage I like to keep things simple. No room for an air drier (condenser) so I let gravity work for me and three quality separator/ filters. (Sharp and two Miltons -all auto drain)

If you have a lot of moisture in ambient air it will enter the compressor and tank. Add heat from the pump and it creates its own atmosphere like a jungle.

1/4 cup of carrot juice coming out of the tank in a garage compressor is nothing. Don't sweat it. You should see the junk that comes out of a full service shop with multiple alternating compressors running all day long.

Like any tool take care of it. Drain the tank before and after use. When I bleed air down I open the petcock and let air force any remaining moisture out, be done and spook the dogs.

If you place a filter or separator too close to the compressor it just doesn't do much. It needs a little run to cool down and let the vapor return to liquid. Water/oil mix is heavier than air so I run my separator/ filters down pretty low again using gravity. Then I go up to my hose reel again using gravity for any moisture getting past the Miltons. I use 3/4 inch hose coming out of the compressor and going up to the hose reel. It slows the air velocity a bit giving a little expansion room and makes a difference. Water does not move up very well and settles at the trap level.

I loose about 3 cfm with the Sharp and two Miltons but never experience an excessive moisture problem at the hose.

For paint and primer I do use a CAM Air desiccant canister but for general use no need for it.

Quality separators/ filters are key. I have used them all from Sharp, IR to Motorguard and DeVillbis. Personally IR and DeVillbis are terrible at moisture removal until you get into the $1000 plus tri and quad module systems.

If you have the room and extra duckets run your lines over the top of the garage and down an opposite wall to your regulator and hose. Have a low settling tube below the regulator level with a drain. If you have room and can afford a secondary storage tank that makes a world of difference in cooling the air charge across the system.

Synthetic oil in the pump makes a big difference also. Its less sticky and does not break down as quickly as dino oil. Seems to not vapor as much which attracts less water molecules.

Regulators and traps mounted right off the tank outlet are also problematic. They seem to contribute to moisture issues down the line to the hose end and are prone to shortened service life. The air is too hot and velocity high where it simply overwhelms and blows moist air right through.

Gravity is your friend with moisture even when comingled with compressed air.
Keeping it down low is easy -just figure out what way works best to keep it low and out of the upper respiratory tract. More expensive or shop systems that use driers are great and those driers are usually mounted at ground level for a reason. Water doesn't like to climb.


Simple and works for a small garage. The separator/ filters are about $500 in expense.