Air Compressor - Cold Storage
#1
01-20-08, 11:52 AM
Air Compressor - Cold Storage
I use my compressor about once a week for a few minutes to top up my tires, and a few other odd things throughout the winter. I usually turn it off and leave the tank with whatever pressure it has in it. Is this an ok practice or should I be emptying the tank? The temp varies from mildly cold to -30C.
#2
01-20-08, 12:03 PM
If I don't plan on using mine, I always purge the water before shutting it down. I have an automatic purger on my big compressor in my shop, but still do it manually about every month or so. On my jobsite compressor, drain daily. Water will play havoc on your brass work if not drained from it.
#3
01-20-08, 01:38 PM
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Most companies suggest you purge the tank daily. The problem is that we put it off and forget about doing it when we leave pressure in the tank for days on end. Any moisture in the tank immediately begins to corrode the inside of the tank, and that rusty moisture is going thru your hose, regulator, check valves, air tools, etc. every time you use it.
IMO, it's best to leave compressors empty when not in use. For a compressor that is only used occasionally it may not be such a big deal provided you don't let it go that way for weeks on end.
IMO, it's best to leave compressors empty when not in use. For a compressor that is only used occasionally it may not be such a big deal provided you don't let it go that way for weeks on end.
#4
01-20-08, 08:12 PM
My other issue is that when its cold, I can`t get the motor started until it warms up without popping the breaker. It works best for me to keep some air in it and use it once or twice every two weeks for adding air to the tires. I`m guessing the moisture inside is probably frozen?
#7
01-21-08, 01:26 PM
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No. I've used hundreds of compressors in the dead of winter, outside, fixing airplanes, with no issues at all.
#8
01-21-08, 03:53 PM
Wasn't it Oklahoma where the Air Force put into effect all ramp personnel were to carry FOD bags in which they were to pick up FOD and turn it in every day? The only problem, the most engine related damage was being caused by FOD bag ingestion?
#10
01-22-08, 05:30 AM
An air compressor generates heat while it's compressing the air. If you purge the tank after using, the moisture won't be frozen. It will only freeze if left in the tank after your done using it.
#11
01-22-08, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by chandler
Wasn't it Oklahoma where the Air Force put into effect all ramp personnel were to carry FOD bags in which they were to pick up FOD and turn it in every day? The only problem, the most engine related damage was being caused by FOD bag ingestion?
Not just here Chandler. It is mandatory Air Force wide to do daily/shift FOD checks on ramps, taxi ways, hangers, etc. We only turned in items that naturally should be there, i.e. wrenches, sockets, etc. The rest we just threw away. There are strict accountability controls in place, but stuff does happen, and I got tons of stories about all that.
n0C7,
Our compressors self purged, and the ones that didn't, we would just relief the pressure in the tank.
#12
01-22-08, 06:34 PM
We had to do it at Hartsfield in Atlanta if we had ramp duty. Like you, you'd be surprised what we found. Some guy in the hangar area had the job of identifying all that stuff. "Yeah, this is a nut off the front strut of a L10 Tristar."
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01-22-08, 06:59 PM
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About 7 yrs ago, we found a step ladder that was left inside a C-5's wing tank along with a tool bag with all the tools. 
Let's just say the depot repair facility that the plane was just in, got in a heep of trouble for that.
Let's just say the depot repair facility that the plane was just in, got in a heep of trouble for that.
