Compressor and water trap location

[Craig-SM]

I am finding conflicting information on the best location for the water trap. Some say on the compressor outlet so it catches some of the rust and debris, whilst others say it should be ideally be around 20 feet from it so the air cools down enough for the water to condense and the filter to work better. What are you thoughts?

Just for information I have a 100 ltr 3hp Clarke compressor (no regulator fitted). This is located behind a partition in the garage with my work bench on the other side where a 5m rubber pipe feeds the air through going up to roof height and then back down again so any water will drain down to the ends of the pipe. The water trap/regulator needs to be fitted either at the start of the rubber pipe or the end but which.

My thoughts are at the end so I can control the regulator where I'm using the air.

 

[123hotchef]

I'd go at the end too

 

[carbon]

The water drops out of the air when its cooled. Close to the compressor is ok if you have forced cooling, I have an intercooler with auto drain between the pump and receiver on my compressor which is force cooled so I get very little condensate in the receiver. Further away from the compressor would be more suited if you don't have that option

 

[Craig-SM]

@carbon It's in the garage and despite a dehumidifier in there it's not the driest place so tank will need to be drained manually regular to get rid of the water anyway. No forced cooling just the length of the rubber pipe and the water trap so placing it at the end looks the best bet.

 

[123hotchef]

@carbon It's in the garage and despite a dehumidifier in there it's not the driest place so tank will need to be drained manually regular to get rid of the water anyway. No forced cooling just the length of the rubber pipe and the water trap so placing it at the end looks the best bet.

get a auto drain ;-)

 

[Craig-SM]

get a auto drain ;-)

probably a good idea if for nothing else it saves my old tired knees.

 

[brightspark]

i have one on the tank and another just plugged in to the 10mm bore flexible hose at the end . then just plug a 5 meter hose to the tools or spray gun after that and works very well makes no odds if there is water in the bottom of the tank it just sits there cold its the warm air in the tank that holds the moisture and ends up in the line then condenses as it cools

 

[Craig-SM]

There is always some @brightspark that comes up with one at either end and getting the best of both worlds.

 

[carbon]

What are you using it for? Also look at some of the diy coolers on here made from copper tube

 

[charlysays]

For years I just had a 15ft plastic pipe running from the compressor to a basic separator filter, then the regulator. This was no good for spraying though and probably corroded air tools over time.

I made an air drying copper snake on the wall. 50ft total of 1/2" copper pipe with 3 horizontal runs with a drop leg at each end. The compressors feed straight into this. Then there's another 10ft of plastic pipe, basic filter/ separator, then the regulator, then an outlet for air tools etc. Then a clarke standard 1/2" coalescing filter, then an air reel which I use for spraying. I also have an on gun filter regulator.
The thing to remember is there's always some moisture in air, without an expensive pro air drying unit there will always be some. The main thing is that there isn't a condensation issue. Every time you regulate it, you create a cooling effect which can condense more water out of the air. This is why I have the coalescing filter after the main regulator as this is where the biggest pressure drop occurs. For spraying I run the main regulator at around 80psi. Then dial it down on the gun to 30-45 psi.

Before I had the coalescing filter I did find some water in the on gun filter a few times but luckily nothing noticeable in the paint. After I fitted the coalescing filter I've not seen any water in the air line or on gun filter since. The coalescing filter was about 60 quid and the copper snake cost about 40 quid ish to make with end feed fittings and a cheap flame gun which runs on camping stove gas cansiters to do the soldering.

 

[Craig-SM]

I went for the two filters, one on compressor and the other at the service end of the pipe as per Brightspark's comment and seems to be working well