do you bleed your compressor
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 715
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From: Long island NY
I drain my compressor at home whenever i remeber it, useualy once a week, or if i use it alot i'll drain it more. That one stays pressureized all the time, but i shut off all the pipeing with a valve so that the tank stays pressurized without the pump clyling every few hours.
At work we have one that we shut off power to before we leave, and all the leaks in the system drain the air out over night. We useualy forget to drain the compressor, once we had about a gallon of water come out. I was working there about 6 months, and when i was sandblasting i was getting tons of water in the lines, i asked when the last time they drained the compressor was.. they just shrugged. i got a coffy can and drained it in there, and it filled about 3 coffy cants up with white water.
At work we have one that we shut off power to before we leave, and all the leaks in the system drain the air out over night. We useualy forget to drain the compressor, once we had about a gallon of water come out. I was working there about 6 months, and when i was sandblasting i was getting tons of water in the lines, i asked when the last time they drained the compressor was.. they just shrugged. i got a coffy can and drained it in there, and it filled about 3 coffy cants up with white water.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Bleeding your compressor right down daily won't hurt your compressor but unnecessary. At work we have a compressor with almost 250 gallons of standby air that is continually maintained to 110 psi. These tanks have been in place for over twenty years and none have developed leaks. They are the start air in a diesel powered power plant. There are automatic bleeders on them that blow off a little air now and then that removes some of the moisture but we do it manually every week to make sure they are empty of moisture. There is also an air dryer between the compressor and the storage tanks as well as a dual filters and moisture still gets in there. Just the way it is.
However, on my home compressor... I drain it off when I think about it and my old man did it about as often and that compressor is still chugging away after twenty or so years...
So I guess it kind of up to you and the habits you would like to get into. Just an opinion...
Don
However, on my home compressor... I drain it off when I think about it and my old man did it about as often and that compressor is still chugging away after twenty or so years...
So I guess it kind of up to you and the habits you would like to get into. Just an opinion...
Don
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Mine is pressured up constantly, ready to blow out a computer or fill a tire. I have made sure there are no leaks in the system so I don't waste air. A good automatic drain valve is a good investment. Check for moisture monthly tho.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
Likes: 2
From: Northwest Fl
I also leave mine pressurized all the time but I did install a cut-off valve at the tank so I can cut off pressure to my airlines and hoses. I try to remember to drain the water from the bottom of the tank after each use. I have a 60 gallon tank and when I need to pump up a tire or blow off some dust, there’s always enough air in the tank without having to hear it run.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
From: West Chester PA
Yes I do. Time of year dictates how often. Usually in the winter I'm only using it on weekends so I'll open up the drain when I'm done to let all of the air and water out. In the summer, it's usually once a week.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
I leave the valve open a hair so it's contantly hissing slightly.
When I'm done with the compressor I shut it off and the tank
drains automatically. If I forget to shut it off I will soon hear
it the comressor fire up reminding me it's still on. Just had
it serviced, and after 10 years it's in perfect condition.
When I'm done with the compressor I shut it off and the tank
drains automatically. If I forget to shut it off I will soon hear
it the comressor fire up reminding me it's still on. Just had
it serviced, and after 10 years it's in perfect condition.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 460
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Most auto drain valves are electric and use a timed solenoid to blow off some air/condensation at whatever interval that it's set to. This I find startling and usually makes me jump cause it's always when you forget about it.
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