When & How To Drain Air Compressor’s Tank? – ValesWood
An air compressor tank can explode and result in a life-threatening situation. When it comes to air compressors you need to be really careful about maintenance as these small machines can burst open violently if not taken adequate care of.
The poor maintenance provided to these tools can lead to corrosion and can make the tank less resistant to pressure. No need to panic as you don’t have to give up on using an efficient and helpful tool. Instead, you need to give some extra time and effort to the maintenance of the tanks of the air compressors.
People usually find it hard to drain the air compressor’s tank. In fact, it is a little tricky. However, to solve this problem for you, I decided to do it myself so that I could devise a step-by-step guide for you all. In this way, you will be able to apply it whenever you try to do it. In addition to that, I also asked a few of my friends how they do it. Then I compared my method with theirs and formulated the easiest way to do it. This simple method that I mentioned in this article will prove to be extremely helpful for you.
The tanks that contain the compressed air are a crucial part of the compressor and the supply of air depends upon its capacity. The capacity and the quality of the air in the compressor can get affected by the amount of moisture in the tank.
This moisture will get into the tank whenever air is compressed into it. Once it starts to corrode, the pressure-bearing capacity of the tank deteriorates. Now the question comes as to how to drain the air compressor’s tank. Many users know the importance of draining the tank daily, but due to a lack of guidance, they turn the idea down. Let’s sink into the details.
How Often Does The Air Compressor Tank Need To Be Drained?
The Air compressor is responsible for turning air into a condensed form. This compressed air then needs to be stored in a container. This storage space is provided by a tank that is attached to the air-compressing tool. The air that is stored comes from the environment along with the natural water vapors that are present in the air in the form of humidity. When condensed, these vapors collect in the form of liquid in the tank. The weight of the water makes it accumulate at the end of the tank.
The users will have different levels of moisture piled up inside the tank as it depends upon the weather, environment, as well as the duration for which you use it. The more air is compressed the more amount of moisture will get stored in the tank. Many professional users suggest that if you use your air compressor daily, then you should opt for draining the tank every day. But if the use of the compressor is not on a daily basis, then you should drain the tank after a week or so.
How To Drain Air Compressor’s Tank?
Draining the compressor’s tank might seem like a difficult and tiresome task, but in reality, you can do it without much struggle. If you have been using your compressor for a long, without draining, then you must know that this accumulation of moisture needs to be drained out on a daily basis by the users. This will not only help you enhance the life of your compressor as well as your tank. The excess of moisture can also take up space by consuming the internal air-storing capacity. Luckily you don’t have to bear all this as here are the steps that will help you in draining your air tank like a pro.
Steps
- Turning off the compressor is important as you should keep in mind that you are going to remove the excess moisture. This will require the tank to be free from any incoming pressure. The tank is filled with compressed air when it is on. So, you will have to disconnect the air compressor from the power source or with the power button.
- Lowering the high pressurized air inside the tank will help in making the air tank free from any other content of the tank other than the water that is stored inside. The safety valve is the component that is responsible for keeping the high-pressurized air lock in the tank. You will need to loosen up that valve by pulling it. This valve will let only the air vapors out. The pressure gauge will tell you about the level of pressure that the air has inside the air tank. Once the pressure level is near 10 Pound Per Square Inch, you will have to set the valve back.
- The drain valve is the opening that lets out the moisture. The moisture that gets stored is obviously heavier than water, so it gets stored under high-pressure condensed air. The drain valve because of the density difference is present at the lowest point of the tank, so when the valve gets open the water will drain out because of the gravity.
- Now, once the water coming out of the tank’s drain valve stops. You will need to move the compressor’s tank, and the water that might have been stored in it comes out.
- Close the drain valve, so if in the future you will fill the tank with high-pressurized gas it will not leak, nor will you see the moisture leaking out.
Best Air Compressor
Makita is one of the leading brands for not only air compressors but also for a number of professional and work tools. The air compressor made by Makita not only focuses on performance but also makes sure that the owners are provided with quality and durability. You will feel no discomfort while using this tool as the makers have thoroughly thought about the features and their impact on the people using it.
The Makita Big Bore Air Compressor MAC2400, like any other compressor, has both a good motor as well as a pump. The motor is a powerful one with a horsepower of 2.5. The design of the motor is the pole type. This type of motor has holes which makes the weightless, high-speed, and more efficient. There are 4 poles in it which help the users with the flow rate. The more torque, the higher force, and the more suitable the flow rate is around 4.2 CFM.
On the Other hand, the pump of the Makita Big Bore Air Compressor MAC2400 is also vital to the function of the compressor. The pump will propel the pressurized gas at a speed. Even though the revolution per minute of the pump is 1732, which makes the pump work very peacefully. You will not hear many sounds when you are using it as the noise level produced by these compressors is 79 decibels.
The upper body of the compressor is made up of cast iron. This makes the compressor durable and lasting. Cast iron is resistant to heat, water, as well as temperature, so your tank will not get worn out due to environmental factors. The motor is supplied with electrical energy by the cord that connects the power source to the internal system. There are two hoses for air release, so you can fill two things at once with one compressor. All these features come with a 30 days return policy.
The tank of an air compressor needs to be emptied after use. The more you work the more there is a burden on the machine in terms of the moisture stored inside. You should follow the steps that will help you take out water easily every day. This will reduce the chance of corrosion or damage to the tank wall. I hope that now you know how to drain air compressor’s tank. You just have to keep the inside of the compressor tank clean and dry. Close the compressor, and open the safety and drain valve, when all of the components of the tank get released, close the valve again.
