Air compressor moisture problem

[cubfan]

I started a new endeavor to replace the axle seals on my 1200 we all know how that simple little task can turn into a full blown refurb.Well I purchased a sand blaster and as I was using it I found that my current moisture filter is nowhere near adaquate to keep out water.Did some research and have found that the only way to eliminate 100% of the water is a $1400.00 refrigerated filter.Whoa,so me and a mechanic where I work was discussing the issue and he said if I added 2 or 3 holding tanks inline that would give the air time to cool and let the water seperate from the air.Makes sense but I've never heard of this.What are some of the ways you guys go about keeping moisture out of your air lines.I want to also use it for painting so water is a no can do.I have a three cylinder single stage air compressor with a 5hp electric motor and 60 gal tank.Any advise???????

[Muzzy]

Just get a water separator. Sharp, binks, devillbis makes them.

[Calvins66Cub]

1st. Keep the valve at the bottom of your tank cracked to just barely leak.
2nd.You can put 1 or 2 filter separators in series, and followed by a coalescing filter. They also sell descecant filters to remove moisture.

Another thing i like is a "trap". I use copper line out of my compressor, run a line down to a valve at ground level, then back up to my manifold. The copper helps dissipate heat. The "U" gives a place for moisture to condense.

These are my tricks for moisture. They have worked for me. Just my 2cents.

[cubfan]

Originally Posted by Muzzy

Just get a water separator. Sharp, binks, devillbis makes them.

Is a water seperator the same as a moisture filter?I have a moisture filter made by Kobalt that I got from Lowes.It does a good job as long as Im not running the compressor for extended times but sand basting requires a ton of air and that is where I run into the problem with water.Im on the road so I can't take a pic to post sorry.

[cubfan]

Originally Posted by Calvins66Cub

1st. Keep the valve at the bottom of your tank cracked to just barely leak.
2nd.You can put 1 or 2 filter separators in series, and followed by a coalescing filter. They also sell descecant filters to remove moisture.

Another thing i like is a "trap". I use copper line out of my compressor, run a line down to a valve at ground level, then back up to my manifold. The copper helps dissipate heat. The "U" gives a place for moisture to condense.

These are my tricks for moisture. They have worked for me. Just my 2cents.

Sounds like you have something similar to what my buddy was telling me to build.Do you possibly have a pic of it?

[Muzzy]

The seperator I had was made by sharp. I used it for years when I was in the autobody business. It was also a pressure regulator. It was basically a canister that trapped water and kept it out of the lines. It did'nt have any filters in it. I had an 80 gallon industrial compressor and it handled it just fine as long as I drained the seperator once daily. I never had problems with moisture in the lines when painting. I paid about $100 for it new about 25 years ago. It's probably double that now.

[DoubleO7]

Originally Posted by cubfan

I started a new endeavor to replace the axle seals on my 1200 we all know how that simple little task can turn into a full blown refurb.Well I purchased a sand blaster and as I was using it I found that my current moisture filter is nowhere near adaquate to keep out water.Did some research and have found that the only way to eliminate 100% of the water is a $1400.00 refrigerated filter.Whoa,so me and a mechanic where I work was discussing the issue and he said if I added 2 or 3 holding tanks inline that would give the air time to cool and let the water seperate from the air.Makes sense but I've never heard of this.What are some of the ways you guys go about keeping moisture out of your air lines.I want to also use it for painting so water is a no can do.I have a three cylinder single stage air compressor with a 5hp electric motor and 60 gal tank.Any advise???????

What type sand blaster is it?
syphon vessel
pressure vessel
or cabinet

[cubfan]

Syphon,the problem never occurs unless Im sand blasting and that's due to the amount of air required and the length of time the compressor has to run to provide that much air.It just builds up alot of heat which translates to water.If I were only using the compressor for painting there wouldn't be an issue with moisture.But once the sand blasting starts it contaminates my entire system and kills my abilty to paint later.At least without a thorough cleaning of the air lines.Maybe I just need to get a better understanding of the difference between a filter and a seperator.I thinking the copper line and the holding tank is the way to go,it could be built for next to nothing and rid me of the moisture/water problem but Im open for any and all suggestions.

[Yosemite Sam]

Originally Posted by Muzzy

The seperator I had was made by sharp. I used it for years when I was in the autobody business. It was also a pressure regulator. It was basically a canister that trapped water and kept it out of the lines. It did'nt have any filters in it. I had an 80 gallon industrial compressor and it handled it just fine as long as I drained the seperator once daily. I never had problems with moisture in the lines when painting. I paid about $100 for it new about 25 years ago. It's probably double that now.

Sounds like the same one that I have, Sharp model #303A, a big chrome canister about 10" tall. Been using it for 30 plus years now and never had any real moisture problems. Drain separator and compressor tank often (especially when sand blasting or painting). A drop in the line, with a valve doesn't hurt anything either. Always use a moisture filter right at the inlet on the gun when painting.

Aren't pressure vessel blasters more prone to collect moisture?

[Sam Mac]

Just a thought, but what if you made a coil out of copper tubing put the coil in a drum or garbage can filled with cold water and ran the compressor discharge from the tank through it and then into a another tank and then to your filter?