Recommended filter set up

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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:01 am
Doright wrote: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.


Ok Thanks! To clarify you are suggesting adding and additional water trap filter ? I have put this thing together this far I want to make sure it is set up correctly through the complete system.
Thanks



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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 10:46 am
Yes I am, a water trap is totally different! it needs to be installed at least 20 feet down stream from the compressor BUT before the rest of your plumbing through out the shop and your filters and desiccant drier.

As your compressor runs and cycles it will make water in the tank this is natural, the air coming out of it is Hot and full of water at about 20-25 feet down line from the compressor the air cools in metal pipe enough to start condensing on the walls of the pipe its there that it can be trapped and caught before it gets to the rest of the system.

A lot of guys take a few 8 foot sections of pipe and just attach it to the wall next to the compressor and run the pipe up and down the wall Horizontally or vertically as long as there you have place to catch the water, a Small Trap I.e. a small tank of some sort with a drain is all you need then on to the rest of the system.

Image


Image


Image


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lVhRwHY42s

As I said before it doesn't need to be fancy or expensive just a place 20-25 feet down stream from the compressor for metal pipe further for plastic pipe.
The point is to catch the water were it starts condensation inside the pipe as I said before a Small air tank at this point is ideal.
I have seen guys get pretty elaborate with there designs it doesn't need to be, you just need to cool the air and a place to trap the moisture to drain it before it gets to the rest of the system something as simple as this :
Image

Simply modify it by removing the the regulator assembly and pressure gauge and add fittings to plumb it into your pipe so air can freely enter and exit without restriction but placed 20-25 feet from the compressor.
this is a Central Pneumatic Industrial Air Filter Regulator Unit from harbor fright for $35 https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools ... 68247.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1Ssyx6k3Cw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZTfkANB1ls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LoAS0EE39Ns

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFFPIRLx_ro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RutBpkvSG_M
Last edited by Doright on Thu May 16, 2019 12:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 12:17 pm
Thanks again Doright. My set up is pretty much like the 3rd picture I believe. I have about 60' of 3/4 copper coming off the 16.1 CFM compressor. I added the shut off valves (4) at each drop leg then it runs back where I will add another water/separator (As recommended) then another shut off valve before the filters/ desiccant filter. I touched base with the seller about the CFM's on the filter set-up and he said the manufacturer states it puts through 18-20 CFM's so I think it should be fine. Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.



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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 12:28 pm
Hey no problem welcome to the forum by the way.
I am glad you designed this into your system it will prevent a lot of paint problems BEFORE they happen, So many have to learn the hard way. The use of a well designed effective water trap can not be stressed enough.

I am glad you contacted the seller to find out how many CFM the filter assembly flows even if its only close to those numbers you should be fine. How long your desiccant lasts before becoming saturated will depend on how good your water trap is.

Now Don't forget to use Hi flow fittings on your air hose and paint guns after your Air filter assembly and a good Regulator and pressure gauge in your painting area or Paint Booth.

Thank you JC Clark for the pic
This picture shows regular quick disconnects compared to Hi flow disconnects.
Image


At the base of your guns you just want a T fitting and a Pressure gauge only! NO fancy adjustable air flow restriction valves with gauges just a gauge and T fitting with a Hi flow fitting.

Adjust air pressure at One point a regulator on the wall after your Filter assembly going into a "New Air hose dedicated to only painting" Not one you use all over the shop.

If you follow all these recommendations you wont have any contamination issues to deal with as far as your air goes, You'd be amazed at how many jobs are ruined by contamination from the air system.
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 5:57 pm
Well I can tell you I am pretty much set up as you advised so if it don’t work I’m coming back to you. Hahaha. Kidding, I think it will do great. But this leads me to another question. The water trap you sent from Harbor Freight (Big Blue one) it says it has 1/2npt going in and 1/4npt coming out. Is that a good idea when my complete plumbing is 3/4 from out of the compressor through 60’ of copper going through the 1/2” filter/regulator, Coalescing filter and the Desiccant filter then dropping down to a brand new 3/8 air hose set up? I was trying to avoid any restrictions along the way until it reaches the air hose.
Last edited by Johnv410 on Thu May 16, 2019 8:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.



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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 6:07 pm
OHH by the way I have watched all of the videos you included over the past 6 weeks or so before I started this project so that’s how I ended up with my set up. Great advise so Thanks again.



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PostPosted: Thu May 16, 2019 8:40 pm
Oh the more I think the more question I have. Concerning the High Flow fittings. Most of the high flow fittings appear to have the larger 3/8 openings but I believe the threads is still 1/4”? Hmmm that seems to be defeating the purpose to me?

Also you mentioned having no fancy gauges at the gun while making the PSI setting at the regulator on the wall? It seems like every video on YouTube says always have a small regulator at the gun to fine tune the gun PSI. I would like to know your thoughts a little further on this.

John



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PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 12:39 am
Adjust Pressures at the wall NOT at the gun
.
Smallest hole will be inside diameter of Hi flow quick disconnects.

Yes harbor fright El cheapo Air deal does have a 1/4 pipe outlet but I also said Modify it!
Remove the Regulator assembly I drilled and Tapped mine. for larger fittings.
I assumed you understood what Modification may consist of???
a quarter inch pipe still has a fairly large inside diameter bigger than your Air hose Hi flow fittings.
I was ably to drill and tap mine for Half inch pipe. Still larger than my smallest air hose fitting.

Drilling and Tapping things running a Threading Die all part of the mechanic game as about a million other things.
There are also a million other things you could buy to do the same job my harbor fright offer was by no means your only alternative its just a cheap one, and i did say Modify it.
I have had to repair or modify just about every thing I have ever bought at that store they sell CHEAP JUNK!

I will be making a Air expansion tank/Water trap out of this in near future.
https://www.harborfreight.com/5-gallon- ... 65594.html
I will be welding Bungs to it and attaching air fittings to each end and a Water drain on the bottom. Sometimes you just have to make what you need. Like I said a small air tank is better for a water trap as you want a Place wear the air can briefly expand a little. Air cools when it expands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S88XeA6fbM
Even though the air is under pressure as it flows through a tank it hits the tank and expands ever so slightly even if its under pressure and it cools. as it cools the water condenses

This rapid decompression of a compressed cylinder filmed from inside with only a few pounds of pressure probably about 8 psi if that much.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyBRGhXBuGw
Imagine what it looks like inside your compressor tank and your water trap when your continuously compressing and releasing air pressure at 150 psi repeatedly over and over while using your machine?
Dennis B.
A&P Mechanic, FCC General radio Telephone Operator
Line Maintenance A&P Mechanic and MOC Tech specialist.



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PostPosted: Fri May 17, 2019 6:36 am
Got it!! I missed the modify part I guess. I have a few more parts to get before I have this thing together so I can’t thank you enough for having the patience with a Newby but the system is pretty much inline with all of your suggestions and advice.
Thank you!



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PostPosted: Tue Jun 25, 2019 11:31 am
Doright, I wanted to stop by and say Thank you again for all the advice. I have been laying primer and getting ready for base coat with much enjoyment. I took your advise on my setup and have been spraying perfect.

Thank you again!! Much Appreciated.
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