Air Compressor (for air tools) question

[iMouseGTS]

I have a nice 23 gallon tank one in my garage that I use about once a week. It max's at 150psi. When I'm finished with it, is it better to release all of the air, some of the air, or leave it all in there?

[BlackSheep5]

release all the air because the humidity in the air creates water in the bottom of the tank which will rust, and the chips of rust will damage your air tools.

[autxr]

I never let the air out of mine, just drain the condensate regularly and you will be fine. If you are concerened with the quality of air, then run an inline separator/filter.

Scott

[iMouseGTS]

thanks for the responses..

I just put in an air filter yesterday.

What's the best way to release all of the air from the tank? I don't think pulling the grenade pin thing on the tank is a good way, just a good way to kill the o-ring in there.

[wingless]

The air, that is being compressed, contains water vapor.

The process of compressing the air, raises the temperature and pressure, but the water vapor remains, within the air.

At some point, the air temperature drops back to ambient temperature. Then, with ambient temperature fluctuations, the tank temperature drops below the compressed air dew point and the water vapor condenses into water.

Unless the tank is evacuated with a vacuum, or filled with dry compressed air, there will be water condensing on the inside of the tank.

So, don't empty the air, just drain the water, periodically.

[BlackSheep5]

depending on the brand there should be a small valve on the bottom of the tank you can open until all the water drains out and then close it.

[00CericaRuss]

i can't find a way to drain the moisture w/out emptying the air on mine, so whenever i'm done using it for at least a week, i'll just unscrew the bottom air/water valve and let it empty... don't want the tank to rust and since i have a dual stage motor on my 30 gal, it doesn't take that long to fill