Plumbing and general question

[JamesK]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the whole compressor malarkey and was just wanting to know a few things.

First of all, I was just wondering where I would run my piping out of the compressor, here is a few pictures so you can understand what I am talking about:

Pic 1

Pic 2

My initial plan was to run the piping out of the side of the compressor (pic 1) but after a little thought I realised and wondered whether the piping had to be run out the pressure switch (pic 2) for it to cut in and out once it had reached the set pressure?

Would the pressure switch still work if it was to still be plumbed out the side of the compressor?

I may be completely wrong about this whole thing but I'm hoping and would really appreciate it if someone can put me on the right path!

Thanks, James

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

Take it off the tank, and use 1/2 inch fittings if you can. The pressure switch is most likely only 1/4 inch and you won't get much useful air out of that. The switch works on the pressure inside the tank and is independent of where you draw the air from.

 

[500e]

The tap is the outlet Pic1, pressure sw is monitoring pressure in tank & will switch as required, there should be a drain in bottom of tank, make sure you can get to it easily & turn it, a lot of drains are cheap crap! we put in braided hose a remote taps if possible, A. it is easy to drain B. it can be outside or in a container.
Use the drain we crack ours every day & drain down once a week.

 

[the snooper]

the drain mod is a good one, one we all should do, its on the to do list and has been forever

 

[rtbcomp]

I did it on mine, saves grovelling about on my knees to drain the tank.

 

[JamesK]

Thanks for all your responses.

I believe the fitment out the side of the tank is 1/2"

I was just going to run an airline straight from the regulator/water trap. Is this advisable or not?

The plan was to create something similar to this but doing it with airline instead of copper piping. Would this work or not?

(The compressor is a ABAC 3hp 200litre)

Yeah the drain valve will be replaced to suit how the shed has been built.

Really appreciate the responses and will take it all into consideration.

James

 

[rtbcomp]

It's best to take the feed straight from the tank and place regulator/filters close to where you're working.

You really want to go vertical from the tank as high as you can and then slope your pipes down away from the high point.

This means any water than condenses in the pipes is swept along with the flow into the traps. Otherwise it will try to run back against the airflow which means there is more chance for the air to collect moisture again.

Like this

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/air-system.htm

Copper is best, you can get plastic pipe for compressed air systems (use the proper stuff) but I've used 10mm airline as a temporary measure for about 5 years now.

 

[JamesK]

Ahhh right, I suppose that makes allot more sense.

So I guess using airline would be perfectly fine just for now. I gather people use copper piping etc.. Because there is no wear and won't break down after a certain amount of time?

Hopefully the setup will only be temporary for now until I can move into a unit.

And I ordered 8mm airline a while ago as someone told me this is what they use. Will this be up for the job or shall I send it back and go bigger as I will be using a DA quite allot?