Recommended filter set up

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PostPosted: Fri May 10, 2019 9:40 pm
Hi, I am new to the forum but have spent the last few weeks doing a lot of reading on the forum and am impressed on so many knowledgeable people on this site so I am hoping I can get some good suggestions.
Al little background on my set up-
I bought a new 80 gallon compressor that puts out 155 PSI and 16.1 CFM @. 90 PSI.
I am running about 60’ of 3/4 copper pipe with drain valves at each drop leg.
My question is when it comes to the filter system. I’m trying to decide what way to go. I am looking at a 1/2” compressed air inline filter/regulator, Desiccant dryer and a Coalescing filter set up OR a 3/4 combo particulate & Coalescing filter with a regulator.
Any insight, recommendations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
John



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PostPosted: Sat May 11, 2019 7:45 am
im gonna let others give their suggestions, but welcome and its reeeeeallly weird to see someone new that already has the proper compressor for painting BEFORE asking this ( or any other) question. :goodjob:



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PostPosted: Sat May 11, 2019 8:50 am
tomsteve wrote:im gonna let others give their suggestions, but welcome and its reeeeeallly weird to see someone new that already has the proper compressor for painting BEFORE asking this ( or any other) question. :goodjob:

Thank you!! As I stated I spent many weeks on this site trying to find the best set up before I start putting this thing together. It was easy to realize I needed to get away from my 30 gallon tank that puts out 7 CFM fast, so I decided if I am going to do this then do it correctly. I'm just having a hard time deciding if I should go with the larger 3/4 two filter set up or the smaller 1/2" with 3 filter/regulator set up. I realize that the 1/2 will be more restrictive but will the 2 filter set up in 3/4 be a better option.

Thanks again.

I know there have to be many different opinions out there so looking forward to hearing them. Any and all in appreciated.

Wow! No one has any thoughts/suggestions. At this point I am leaning towards staying with the 3/4” particulate filter/ regulator and a Coalescing filter over the 1/2” particulate, Desiccant and Coalescing filters.



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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2019 6:32 am
Either one would be fine even the Half inch should provide enough flow as far as fitting size goes in theory But not all Filter assembly's are for Automotive Painting either, Some filters wont or don't flow or allow enough air flow through them.
Which one are you looking at ? I have the Devilbiss DAD500.
The inter connection between filters on the assembly are 5/8" I believe.
https://www.amazon.com/DeVilbiss-DV1300 ... B000VNFU06

I have never had any problems with mine and only ever had to drie my Desiccant once.
I just spread it out on a cookie sheet and threw it in the oven at 150 for about an hour.
I installed a 3/4" Ball valve before the filter assembly to keep it Isolated from my Air system when not being used, so it doesn't try to absorb water from the rest of the system when not being used.

I run a fairly elaborate and very effective Filter and water trap after my compressor and before my shop plumbing, My Dad500 sits on My booth at the end of all my Plumbing.

A Water Trap installed 20+ feet or so after the compressor so the air can cool and the water can condense and be trapped is a Must have in any system, it will save you money in the end from ruined air tools from water, and save your Desiccant from getting saturated.
Doesn't really need to be elaborate just 20+ feet of pipe running up and down the wall or horizontally so the air can cool down before a small tank doesn't really need to be big just a place for expansion where the air can briefly expand further cooling the air and allow water to condense and be trapped in a tank with a drain.
I have a twin tank trap with drains and believe it or not its the second tank that catches the most water.
Dennis B.
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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2019 1:38 pm
[quote="Doright"]Either one would be fine even the Half inch should provide enough flow as far as fitting size goes in theory But not all Filter assembly's are for Automotive Painting either, Some filters wont or don't flow or allow enough air flow through them.
Which one are you looking at ? I have the Devilbiss DAD500.
The inter connection between filters on the assembly are 5/8" I believe.
https://www.amazon.com/DeVilbiss-DV1300 ... B000VNFU06

I have never had any problems with mine and only ever had to drie my Desiccant once.
I just spread it out on a cookie sheet and threw it in the oven at 150 for about an hour.
I installed a 3/4" Ball valve before the filter assembly to keep it Isolated from my Air system when not being used, so it doesn't try to absorb water from the rest of the system when not being used.

I run a fairly elaborate and very effective Filter and water trap after my compressor and before my shop plumbing, My Dad500 sits on My booth at the end of all my Plumbing.

A Water Trap installed 20+ feet or so after the compressor so the air can cool and the water can condense and be trapped is a Must have in any system, it will save you money in the end from ruined air tools from water, and save your Desiccant from getting saturated.
Doesn't really need to be elaborate just 20+ feet of pipe running up and down the wall or horizontally so the air can cool down before a small tank doesn't really need to be big just a place for expansion where the air can briefly expand further cooling the air and allow water to condense and be trapped in a tank with a drain.
I have a twin tank trap with drains and believe it or not its the second tank that catches the most water.[/

Thanks for the feedback Doright!!
I am looking at the 1/2" 3 stage drier set up by UPE Group on eBay. It sounds like my system will be set up like yours. I am running about 60' of 3/4 copper with 4 drain valves
at each drop. Once coming off of the last drop it gas a 10' run through the copper before entering the filters with the particulate/pressure regulator being the first before going through the Coalescing filter then on to the Desiccant filter. Are you suggesting that I add a ball valve before the Desiccant filter? Sounds like a good idea.

Thanks again for the feedback. :worthy:

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PostPosted: Tue May 14, 2019 10:52 pm
Definitely plumb in a ball valve close to your desiccant filter. I didn't the first time that I plumbed my filters and now my desiccant lasts longer.

How much painting are you planning on doing? Weekend hobbies or semi-pro?

I am a weekender hack and I run a 1" regulator/water trap through 1" pipe - I haven't had a problem yet, then it runs to a PneumaticPlus SAU4030M-N04DG-MEP Three Stage Air Drying System prior to necking down to 1/2" before the desiccant QC3 at the end.

The QC3 refills are about $42 and I replace mine about twice a year, probably could go longer than that but I just don't want to chance it.

I also only run my spray guns through the desiccant and I even run different fittings so only the spray guns can be connected to the QC3.

I also run those little Devilbiss ball filters at the gun and a FishEye filter (same idea, seems better built) on my clear gun.

I have fittings for my other air tools prior to the QC3.

Its not the pretest thing around but it works quite well.

Air Wall.jpg

Rapid Air (2).jpg

PneumaticPlus (1).jpg

QC3.jpg
Sent by the random thoughts from the voices in my head...



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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2019 12:22 pm
Johnv410 wrote:I am looking at the 1/2" 3 stage drier set up by UPE Group on eBay. It sounds like my system will be set up like yours. I am running about 60' of 3/4 copper with 4 drain valves
at each drop. Once coming off of the last drop it gas a 10' run through the copper before entering the filters with the particulate/pressure regulator being the first before going through the Coalescing filter then on to the Desiccant filter. Are you suggesting that I add a ball valve before the Desiccant filter? Sounds like a good idea.


Is this the filter set up your talking about?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-COMPRESSED ... SwYHxWH7ax

I personally can not recommend it as I have never seen it or used it before. It may work fine looks small to me, ya add says it will handle up to 150 psi but what it doesn't say is how much it flow's in CFM that would be my concern ? The one I have is big very big it holds a lot of Desiccant about 5 times or more the amount shown in that picture it also flows a lot of CFM as its built and rated for Automotive Painting.


Yes I said to put a Ball valve in before Filter assembly to shut off air to the filter assembly.

I also mentioned that putting in a Water trap a minimum of 20 feet after compressor and before all your plumbing around the shop. A water trap is often overlooked by many but is essential to have in any system, especially for Automotive paint refinishing.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2019 3:28 pm
Thanks guys,

DoRight, That is the 1/2" set up. I am going to give this a shot. I am a weekend warrior. I have not painted any cars nor do I plan to at this point but who knows. I will be painting Golf Cart bodies so my thinking is this should do me fine with the set up I am running with all the copper. I will definitely be adding the ball valve at the filters to shut the air flow off when not needed so not to let the desiccant filter get saturated unnecessarily. Just to confirm are you suggesting the valve after the 2 filters but before the desiccant filter or should I shut off before all the filters?
Thanks again for the suggestions.



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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2019 3:32 pm
Johnv410 wrote:Thanks guys,

DoRight, That is the 1/2" set up. I am going to give this a shot. I am a weekend warrior. I have not painted any cars nor do I plan to at this point but who knows. I will be painting Golf Cart bodies so my thinking is this should do me fine with the set up I am running with all the copper. I will definitely be adding the ball valve at the filters to shut the air flow off when not needed so not to let the desiccant filter get saturated unnecessarily. Just to confirm are you suggesting the valve after the 2 filters but before the desiccant filter or should I shut off before all the filters?
Thanks again for the suggestions.


I just went back to reread your comment and see where you recommended putting the shut off valve before the filters so I will be doing that this week. As I stated earlier with painting Golf Cart bodies I think my set up should handle this good. If these filters don't handle the system I will just have to upgrade.

John



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PostPosted: Wed May 15, 2019 10:02 pm
I don't care if your Painting cars Golf cart go carts or Guitars! the Info I provided is generic.

I also said you need a water trap I cant stress that enough.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.
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