Air Dryer FIlter Setup

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PostPosted: Fri Aug 12, 2022 8:08 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^That is a good alternative that does not take up a lot of space and is cheap.....
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PostPosted: Wed Aug 17, 2022 11:23 pm
You certainly don't need to spend $1000 on a filtering system to rid the moisture.

If I understand you correctly your concern is that your desiccant beads are turning pink rather faster than you'd like. Since you never mentioned moisture getting to the tools..correct?

Adding the toilet paper filter will help (my favorite actually), it's been tried-and-true. Just add it before the beads.

Adding more pipe with another drop wouldn't hurt neither. But some distance away from the compressor.

By the way, the filter that's attached to the side of your tank is doing absolutely nothing but creating another air restriction point. You have to understand how compressed air works. Air gets really hot when compressed which creates "water vapor" within. As the compressed air begins to travel thru the line it begins to cool and what was once "water vapor" gets forced out of the air and into a liquid form also known as condensation or moisture. So having a filter at the tank is not being given the chance to do it's job.



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PostPosted: Thu Aug 18, 2022 9:33 am
I have a DAD500 system its a fantastic system I have had it for many many years trouble free really.

With ANY Air system you need to give the air coming out of your compressor air tank enough pipe too cool the air in it so the water can drop out and condense THATS the whole trick to any water trap system, I don't care what filter system you use!

After you get the air to cool sufficiently so the water can condense you need a water trap to be able to trap the water before any sort of filter system.

In My case I have rebuilt my water trap system and now run 80 feet of black 1 inch pipe trying to get a good Temp drop before two air expansion tanks all in an effort to try to stop more water. My design works but still needs some tweaking I'm still not 100% happy with it. Being I am in Death Valley its hard to get a good temp drop in summers here.

I used to live in Tulsa so I know what kind of Humidity your dealing with and believe me you got a crap load of water in your air!

A refrigerated water trap is best Hands down no better system but they are expensive.
I have been looking for a good used system off and on for a while. You see them every once in a while at auctions and Craigslist, I think some elcheapo Tool stores sell some China made junk.

I have played around with the Idea of making my own by running a Copper coil through a an old refrigerator freezer lol keep the freezer for a cooler and fridge side for Barly Pop! lol
Dennis B.
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PostPosted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 5:41 pm
Lot of great insight, Thanks,

Can I ask opinion of a change I see I need to make? after multiple sprays I see I need "Adding serious pipe before filtration setup". I don't have much more than 10' before I hit the 1st Filter/Regulator setup. Then it's routed via 3/4" RapidAir pipe for 35' where it hits a connection block w drain. There I add a Sharpe 880A unit (very effective at removing water, oil etc.) then connect 25" Air Hose before connector to Paint Spray Gun w attachment of final desiccant bulb before Gun.

Challenge :
I'm limited to length of Steel pipe coming into Shop from Enclosed Compressor House hanging on back of Shop. I'm wanting to maximizing input Tube length before filtration. One Option I kicked around was adding 15-20ft of 3/4" RapidAir in a single Coil of a winding that is of the tubing in shipped form.

I'm thinking a 15-20' length of RapirAir pipe similar to a Condensing Coil on a Liquor still before hitting the first Automatic drain before the filtration setup should help significantly

Thoughts?

Thx,
Mike Mullins
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PostPosted: Thu Dec 07, 2023 4:41 pm
DarrelK wrote:If you were anywhere else but in the heat of Texas that all looks pretty good..... I think you may need a refrigerated aftercooler plumbed into your set up..... Filters are more about isolating contamination and "some"moisture. You've got to get that moisture handled or at least manageable first....


What do I look for in a refrigerated cooler?



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PostPosted: Sat Dec 09, 2023 2:10 pm
bolts wrote: What do I look for in a refrigerated cooler?


!st Air flow will it keep up with your demand? 2nd is Affordability.
Generally refrigerated systems are considered the Best when it comes to removing H2o but they are very expensive.
I have my system fairly reliable at a Moderate cost as compared to a Hi dollar refrigerated system that can keep up with my needs.

First and foremost A well thought out water trap will serve you well as long as it includes a Min. of 20'+ feet Before your water trap, you need at least 20' to get a good drop in temp at full air flow so water can condense. I'm running 40' before going through TWO separated Expansion tanks hooked to each other.
These expansion tanks multiply the cooling effect and Catch 98%-99% of all my water then my desiccant takes care of the rest.
How good does it work ? a good example would be that I have never replaced my Desiccant But I have dried it out once since I put it together years ago my moisture indicator says its still dry to this day.

You have to ask your self whats an acceptable level of moisture to contend with and for me its ZERO! as I use my filtered air through my Plasma cutter and moisture kills the Tips.
I have been using the same cutting tip I installed on my Plasma cutter when I bought it I have never replaced it.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.
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