Up to here with the compressor drain.

[herr_oberst]

Probably, like many of you, I don't drain my compressor tank nearly enough. There's a very good reason for not doing my diligence, it's hard to get to and a pain in the drain.
This morning I got down on my hands and knees to do the deed, and the valve broke off at the threads.

Brass valve, but steel plunger - rust never sleeps:




Okay, sucks to be me, (but the easy-out worked perfectly, woo-hoo!) so I've gotta fix this once and for all. A trip to the hardware store netted us some shiny and mostly non-ferrous replacement parts:




And a few minutes with some hand tools and teflon tape and my ball valve is ready for action!




So now, I have no excuses not to do this on a regular basis. The tube is long enough to reach outside, so I've eliminated that sorry mess, and I'm also experimenting with bottles to see if I can figure out a way to make a catch tank so I don't even have to move the hose! Easy-peasy! Just the way I like it!



I should have done this a long time ago! (Cheapskate bonus - this stuff should be reusable if I need to replace the compressor!)

[mossguy]

Herr Oberst,

I have not drained my compressor for years because the little sheet metal handle twisted off the last time I tried. I have been considering doing a "permanent" fix similar to yours.

Thanks for the pix and the report on your fix!

I am empowered! Well, motivated anyhow.

[masraum]

Mine was like this.



I don't remember why, but I replaced it. The new one is like this and works really well. It's very easy to open and close.

[pete3799]

On my list of things to do.

[Dan J]

Being the laziest man alive I bought this automatic thing:
Electronic Air Compressor Tank Drain - TP Tools & Equipment
Works as advertised

[95avblm3]

I drain mine regularly, so it work's well but what drives me nuts in the amount of water that comes out of it... Especially in the summer when the humidity is through the roof here in sunny FL!

I like your solution... Looks like it will make it real easy to drain!

[vash]

I need to do this! Thx.

[azasadny]

Nice fix!!

[fanaudical]

Another silly low-budget "auto drain" - Install a decent needle valve and leave it cracked for limited flow rate. You'll bleed a little air/water constantly and it will increase your compressor cycling frequency if you have a pressure switch on it. Cheaper than an auto-drain and a little wasteful, but better than having that tank rust out and let go when you're not expecting it.

[look 171]

I have one of those cheap electronic drain valve from Granger. What a hell of a device. No more broken drain valve, and the best thing is, no more bending over flipping that valve handle. All done by itself. It was not cheap at about $130.00. that damn thing always go south when we are in a rush to get a job out. That's when we all stand there with our thumbs up our asses, upset screaming.

[Baz]

Crikey....you mean these things have drains!

[1990C4S]

Go one step further. Buy an auto drain. They have a float and blow off when full.

[Jim Bremner]

next you're going to say that you need to change oil in the damn thing!


First bike shop that I worked at no one before new that water needed to be drained. 18 gallons of water in a 20 gallon tank.