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It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2022 12:17 am
by Rebel Racing
Comp..JPG
Hi Guys,

I've been using this water separator on my baby 20 gal/5hp compressor for over a year now. Pic attached. Not a hint of water getting thru (although I do have a red "ball" filter at the gun), The filter at the compressor is dry. This is just a $40 Amazon deal. Having a bit more knowledge now, I realize that the filter needs to be sway from the compressor to allow the air to cool and (with drains) allow the moisture to condense). But, for some reason, it seems to work.

So, I said all that to ask this.........maybe I am mixing 2 posts into one but, I am in the process of getting a 2 stage/80gal compressor. Ultimately I will have the copper piping with drains before the filters but to get me going right away, can I just hook a 6 foot air line (3/8") from the comp. to the filter unit (not the pictured filter--a much better unit). Not ideal, I know but considering what I have now, will it be that bad (at least temporary?). Keeping in mind, I am doing bike parts and my spray time is less than 5 min each time, so, I don't think the compressor will be running a lot during that time--maybe not building a lot of heat. Am I on the right track or totally crazy?

Re: It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2022 12:54 am
by NFT5
I can see where the water has been in the separator, which is self draining.

For light duty use those things actually do work ok, only when you really start to push the air through do they let some water pass. I ran like that for a long time with no real problems, but had to be scrupulous about daily draining the compressor tank and, in high humidity, draining 2-3 times each day.

A couple of metres of 10mm hose won't make much difference to the temperature, but every little bit helps and the second separator should catch any moisture that does slip through.

Consider, when you build your copper tube cooling array, putting it between the compressor pump and the tank. That way you don't get water in the tank at all and what comes out is quite cool. Much better then trying to separate it on the outlet side.

Rebel Racing wrote:Am I on the right track or totally crazy?


Deffo crazy. Have to be to get into this game and if you managed to slip past while still sane then a couple of years exposure to these fumes will have you ready for straight jacket. :wink:

Re: It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2022 6:54 am
by chopolds
You're not getting much water, because the filter is so close to the compressor. It is still in vapor form. If the filter is farther away, so the air has time to cool, the water will drop out and get caught in the filter. It's always good practice to have the filter farther away from the compressor, unless you have a refrigerated unit.

Re: It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2022 3:41 pm
by Rebel Racing
chopolds wrote:You're not getting much water, because the filter is so close to the compressor. It is still in vapor form. If the filter is farther away, so the air has time to cool, the water will drop out and get caught in the filter. It's always good practice to have the filter farther away from the compressor, unless you have a refrigerated unit.
Makes perfect sence. My initial plan was to run a 6' length from the compressor to the filter (until I can build the propper copper lines/traps). Should I go with a 25' length of hose to the filter and then my current 25". Would a total of 50' be too much length? I suppose the air doesn't care whether it is traveling in rubber hose or copper although, I doubt it cools very much in rubber compared to copper.

Re: It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Fri May 13, 2022 3:43 pm
by Rebel Racing
NFT5 wrote:


Consider, when you build your copper tube cooling array, putting it between the compressor pump and the tank. That way you don't get water in the tank at all and what comes out is quite cool. Much better then trying to separate it on the outlet side.

I like that idea a lot.

Re: It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Sat May 14, 2022 9:00 am
by Doright
You dont have to run Copper You can run Steel you just need filters to keep any rust out that will develop over time. I have been running Black steel pipe for over 20 years with no problems a lot cheaper than Copper.

I also used to run 50' of 1/2 inch air hose before my first water Trap trying to get air to cool so water would drop out, it worked but not all that great. I used it like that for years as it was all I had But The rubber hose just doesn't give the Temp drop to the air like metal pipe does.

Beware of those air drier/filters at the Base of your gun. They can and will restrict air flow.
The only one I would use is Made by Devilbiss called the desiccant Snake .
Airflow is everything

Re: It Works In Spite Of??

PostPosted: Sat May 14, 2022 9:08 am
by '68 Coronet R/T
Agreed it is not catching water because it is too close.

I have 3/4" copper piping running zig zag across a wall, through a refrigerated drier, another 15' of copper that runs into the booth with a drop line and drain valve just before it enters the booth wall. Inside the booth is a water separator/regulator, then another filter leading to the air hose.

Living in Arizona the humidity is quite low, so I leave the refrigerated drier off most of the time. Even then, if I am really working my 2 stage 80 gallon compressor hard, I can get moisture. So as a precaution I turn the refrigerated drier on whenever I am spraying primer and paint.