Air compressor is one of the most versatile and sophisticated machines which has paved its way into a lot of domains and applications. However, having an air compressor comes with a lot of responsibilities as well. From its adequate maintenance to great care, you need to do a lot to ensure proper working. One such thing you need to give thorough consideration to is abundant water vapor that accumulates in the air stream. These water vapors then change into the droplets as the temperature drops, making you worry about the separator. Hence, the need for a water separator or water trap.

The Need for Water Trap

This abundant water flow can have a huge impact on the working and functionality of air compressors in a negative way. Moreover, it also affects the air tools you will be working with. Therefore, you need to build a water trap. But how to build a water trap for an air compressor is a real question. It needs to be easy so that you can do it all by yourself. No need to worry anymore as we have got you covered with great information. Dive in to get to know it all. Building a water separator for your air compressor is just a read away.

Guide on How to Make a Water Trap for Your Air Compressor

You need to consider the need of doing all the effort and is it really worth your time? While great options are available in the market at affordable prices, do you really want to do it yourself? If you finally decide to accomplish this task all by yourself, we are here to help you out. First and foremost, let’s review the basic equipment and tools you will need for the project.

What Will You Require?

Below down, we have compiled the list of everything you will require in order to build a water trap for the air compressor. This list is detailed and has everything included to make sure that you have everything with you beforehand. This will let you work hassle-free and with peace of mind. Let’s see what you will need for the project.

• Copper elbow- 10 in number
• Copper pipe- 9 in total ( 2 inches)
• Copper pipes of 72 inches- 6 in number
• Ball valves which are threaded having female ends- 3 in number
• A couple of male adapters
• Copper tee- 3 in number
• Brass nipple- only 1 required
• Sheet elbow of the brass- female end
• Sheet elbow of the brass- male end
• Male adapter which is threaded
• Compression fitting made up of brass specifically for the regulator
• NPT filter used in the regulator
• Air hose for air compressor
• Brass valve which is threaded having female ends on both of the sides
• Soldering flux
• Tape- Teflon
• Torch- propane
• Solder strand

Step-by-Step Procedure of Building a Water Trap for an Air Compressor

Once you have all of this equipment and accessories with you, we can ump into making the water trap for the air compressor. Adhere to these simple steps to build the water trap the right way.

1. First and foremost, you need to connect the copper elbow, 90 degrees one, with the 2 inches copper pipes. These are 3 in number and you need to do the same with all. Oxidation is another problem that you have to deal with. In order to eliminate that, you need to ensure that there is ample soldering flux on the pipes’ outer area and on the inner surface of the copper elbow. This will ensure that there is no oxide layer formation.
2. Again, you are required to work with 2 inches copper pipes, 3 in number. Then, take a copper tee and connect it with each of the copper pipes. Lastly, take all the copper elbows remaining and attach them to the copper pipe’s ends. Don’t forget the soldering lux which prevents the oxide layer formation.
3. This step should be carefully followed. You need to take another 3*2 inches copper pipe and connect it with a copper tee. Next, the joint needs to be connected to the pipes.
4. The next step involves the use of a copper L-shaped pipe. Take all of the copper pipes and use them to connect the copper tee with the L-shaped copper pipes. One end needs to be connected to the elbow while the longer end should be attached to joints.
5. Now, you need to solder the joints. This can be accomplished using a propane torch. This will ensure the elimination of leakage.
6. Next, you need to take the male adapters, all 3, and attach them to the end or bottom. This will again contribute to the elimination of leakage.
7. Employing the use of Teflon tape, you need to join the male adapters at the bottom with the ball joints measuring ½ inches.
8. Next, divide the 72 inches pipes into 2 pipes of 36 inches each. These will go on the ends of the whole set-up.
9. Now take one of the two sides and attach it with the street elbow connector made of brass. This then needs to be attached to the regulator. The other end will be connected with the air hose.

Pat yourself on the back on successfully building a  DIY water trap for your air compressor.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I keep water out of my air compressor tank?

In order to keep water out of the compressor tank, you need to get an air dryer that eliminates the moisture buildup in an air compressor tank. 

2. How does a water trap work on an air compressor?

Water separators work on the centrifugal principle. They tend to radiate the water droplets out with force to avoid the accumulation of water in the air stream pipes.

3. Does my air compressor need a water separator?

Yes, these should not be considered as an optional thing but should be essential with every air compressor. You definitely require a water separator for your air compressor.

Air compressor used has enormously increased. With its exceptional versatility, it is being used in a number of daily routine tasks as well. When you have the right compressor in hand, it all gets easier. However, there are other factors to consider too. Getting an air compressor comes with the responsibility of choosing the right air hose size.

If you are wondering which size air hose you should get for your compressor, we are here to assist you well and thoroughly. This can be quite tricky and challenging with a variety of options in the market. Don’t worry anymore because we have detailed guidelines below to aid you on the subject. Therefore, dive in to make an aware and informed decision and choose the size which is best suited to your compressor.

Factors Worth Considering When Selecting Air Hose For Your Compressor

Once you have a quality compressor in hand, the next step is to get the right size air hose. No one would want to spoil the whole machine and waste hundreds of bucks only by making an uninformed decision. We do not want you to make this mistake. You should opt for the size by considering the following factors which we have laid out for you. These are going to assist you in selecting the best fit for you. Go on and know it all!

Length

Length is a prime factor that should be given utmost consideration. You need to look at which tasks you will be performing before blindly choosing any air hose length. This can be understood better with the help of the example.

Consider doing high-duty tasks with your air compressor. These tasks may include lifting up heavy vehicles and the like. For sure, you will require a long air hose to efficiently do the tasks. Further, the longer the length, the better the maneuverability. On the other hand, if the tasks are home-based or easier in nature, you would definitely go for a shorter length one. This will be cost-effective too.

To add to your knowledge, the hoses can be connected end to end to make the length longer. This way you can achieve the length you require. However, it is always better to go for the hose with a longer length rather than joining two or more. The latter is prone to create undesirable restrictions. These restrictions result in pressure and energy losses which are surely unwanted. To avoid such inconvenience, one should opt for the former method.

You should always look for the ideal hose length which offers the greatest mobility while having the lowest pressure losses. Pressure losses are directly proportional to the length of the hose. The more the length, the greater the losses. Therefore, do the optimal one by making compromises accordingly.

Material

When you are deciding to get a new hose or replace the existing one, you need to carefully look for its material. The material determines the durability, performance, losses, and efficiency. Therefore, it is always worth the effort and time to think about what material will be the right one. Below, we discuss some of the materials which are suitable for hoses. You can decide the one which satisfies your needs and requirements.

Nylon

Nylon is a great material for air hoses due to its exceptionally lightweight. Further, it is very affordable and easily transportable. Therefore, it is easy on your pocket and is excellent for home-based tasks. There are, however, some downsides to this material. The greatest one is its ability to perform poorly when cold weather condition prevails. Moreover, it displays poor durability. It can easily be subjected to unusual bends and kinks. Therefore, choose wisely.

Neoprene

Neoprene is a heavier material when compared to nylon. This thicker material is very dependable. It can be used in difficult, heavy-duty tasks which involve agricultural or industrial tasks as well as daily home-based tasks. Moreover, it has a straddling ability of strong resistance to any kinds of bends or kinks.

In addition to that, it performs excellently no matter how harsh the weather condition becomes. If your air compressor is equipped with a neoprene hose, you can expect it to work perfectly even when the temperature drops under 0 degrees. However, it comes at a much higher price than the nylon ones.

Polyurethane

Polyurethane is another quality material for air hoses. It is very light along with being transportable, making it a great fit for home-based tasks. Further, it stands out when it comes to durability. It is an excellent machine for high-pressure tasks.

Moreover, it is not a great material for standard hoses. Rather, it can be used for recoil ones as it is prone to kinks. They deliver exceptional performance and last very long. Further, they are able to tolerate very low temperatures. There is one downside to this material as well. They lack flexibility as compared to the above two materials.

Diameter

Another thing that needs to be thoroughly understood is the CFM of the air compressor. This will determine which diameter air hose you should go for. There are various standard sizes that range from ¼ inches to 1 inch. These are the internal diameters. Therefore, get a detailed idea about the measurement of CFM before jumping onto the air hoses.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between 1 4 and 3/8 air hose?

The ¼ and ⅜ represent the inside diameters of the hoses. The one having ¼ inches of the inside diameter is lighter than the ⅜ inches one.

2. Are all air compressor hoses the same size?

No, all air compressor hoses are not the same sizes. They usually come in a defined range which starts from ¼ inches and goes up to 1 inch. You can get the air hose that best suits the compressor you own.

3. What is the standard air hose fitting size?

The standard air hose fitting size is ¼ inches.

Sandblasting is a common activity that requires the use of an air compressor. However, sizing an air compressor for sandblasting can be quite tricky. For some people, it is complex and confusing. Well, no more! With this detailed guide on sandblasting, step-by-step compressor sizing, and nozzle sizing, there would hardly be any questions left. Are you ready to size the air compressor for sandblasting with minimal ease? Dive in!

Why Are Sand Blasters Used?

Sand blasters are used at high pressure by employing the use of air compressor air. They are used to thoroughly clean and rip off the paint surface or rust developed. They are normally used on metal surfaces. The job is significantly simplified through the use of sandblaster. However, to ensure the right efficiency and exceptional results, you are required to go for the best-suited air compressor. That is no more an issue as we are here to assist you so that you make the right selection.

All about Compressor Sizing

There are two important factors that you need to consider for sandblasting. These are CFM and PSI. More details about these two metrics are laid out below.

CFM

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute. This represents the volume of the air that is supplied by the air compressor in 60 seconds. When we have to consider the CFM in terms of sandblasting, we need to make sure that an air compressor has a CFM of no less than 10 units. This can range from 10-20 CFM. This is adequate for smaller sandblasting activities. When it comes to heavy-duty sandblasting activities, the compressor should at least supply 18CFM. This will guarantee a better and more efficient experience. When it comes to industrial-based tasks, the CFM value surges to 50-100 units.

PSI

This is an abbreviation of pounds per square inch. This represents how much pressure your air compressor generates. The volume of the tank, on the other hand, is representative of how long wills the air compressor be able to produce the air. In order to determine the psi rating, you need to work out a few things. This includes the activities you will be doing using the air compressor as well as the working hours of those activities.

In case, you notice a large psi rating, that indicates faster cleaning. This will significantly save time while contributing a lot to cleaning. One downside to this is the cost consideration but the additional cost is accounted for by the reduced time. In order to ensure the right efficiency, you should use no lower than a 100 psi rating. Reducing the pressure of blasting will cause twice a decrease in the time taken for cleaning. Therefore, it is undesirable. For optimal performance and superior efficiency, you have to consider CFM as well as PSI rating simultaneously.

What Sizes of Nozzles Will I Need?

The three most important considerations for sandblasting include CFM, PSI and lastly, the nozzle size. We are sure by now you must have figured out CFM as well as the PSI ratings. Now is the time for looking for nozzle sizing as three of these factors work together to guarantee quality results. A large millimeter nozzle will cause the pressure to increase. In addition to that, it will allow more air to be pumped as well which your sandblasting will demand.

For instance, if your nozzle is at 50 psi, it will cause a lower CFM rating which is around 10 units. On the other hand, if we increase it to 100 psi, the CFM rating will enhance to 20 units.

In addition to that, the blast pattern is to be taken care of and it is greatly affected by nozzle size. Choosing one size bigger can contribute to a 10 percent increase in the blast size. Blasting is usually done on small, compact areas. If that is the case, you will be requiring a small blast size. If you need to be careful about the blast pattern and want it to be precise, go for the nozzle measuring 3/16 or 1/16 inches.

However, if you are looking for quick work and you do not have area considerations, a larger nozzle size is advised. In such a case, you should consider getting nozzles having diameters ⅜ inches. This can go up to half an inch for even better and more efficient results.

Nozzles wearing out is another important factor that should be given due attention to. For such nozzles to ensure the target pressure, they’ll require extra air. Projects which demand a higher PSI rating need to be performed with a compressor that is greater in size. These all things should be duly considered to ensure correct sandblasting.

Safety Considerations

Sandblasting is not an easy task and therefore you need to be very careful with it. Using the air compressor for the sandblasting activities also requires great care and you should not let go of that. We suggest going through the manual or the guide provided by the manufacturer to ensure your safety and protection. Along with that, you are advised to wear clothes which rightly protect you. Further, do not forget a dust mask together with safety goggles.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many CFM does a sandblaster need?

A sand blaster requires a compressor that guarantees high CFM. To get you an estimate, you will require at least 10 CFM air compressors to accomplish smaller sandblasting activities.

2. How much pressure do you need for sandblasting?

The minimum pressure which you require for sandblasting is 50 psi.

3. Can you sandblast with a pressure washer?

Yes, one can sandblast using a pressure washer. However, the minimum pressure condition surges to 3000 psi when you use a pressure washer.

If you own an air compressor, you must be aware of the issues with moisture and water getting into the unit. Air compressors help you run power tools and fill up tires using pressurized air. Moisture can be very harmful to an air compressor and cause rusting. However, it is very easy to prevent this using a water separator. Learn how to install a water separator on an air compressor by going through this article. Let’s go!

What is a water separator?

A water separator allows you to remove water and moisture from air compressors. A clean air supply is ensured by preventing the entry of any solid, liquid, or vapor particles into the air compressor. Also known as a filter dryer, this machine can easily remove up to 60% moisture from the unit.

It draws up vapors from the air vent of an air compressor using centrifugal force. It allows the air compressor to deliver dry and clean air, by eliminating moisture and vapor from the air.

Importance of Water Separators

Compressed air produces moisture as a byproduct which is called condensate. Air becomes saturated when compressed which leads to the production of condensate when the air cools down. Condensate consists of both water as well as oil.

Where does the oil come from? Oil is used for lubricating the inner parts of the air compressor. Some of this oil evaporates once the unit heats up and mixes with the compressed air. For this reason, the condensate consists of both oil and water. You can not just dump it in the drain and that is where water separators come in. You don’t want water particles to get into your power tools or inflatables, therefore, it is important to use a water separator.

Tools required for installation

Following are some of the tools that you will need in order to install a water separator on your air compressor:

• A crescent wrench along with a thread seal tape for tightening the connectors. You can also go for Teflon for greater strength.
• For use as a quick cone connector, you will also need different sized coupler plugs.
• You also need special gear for ear protection.
• Finally, you should also have 90-degree elbows that will allow you to comfortably tighten the hose.

Where to install a water separator on an air compressor?

Let’s move towards the most important question on your mind. Where should you install this water separator on the air compressor in order to prevent moisture or oil from contaminating the pressurized air?  The hose pipe is attached to the pressure gauge using a proper attachment. The water separator needs to be placed between the pressure tank and the hose pipe connector.

The place where you install the water separator should be easy to access as you will have to frequently change the filter cartridge.

Steps for installing a water separator

Before you begin installing the water separator, make sure you are wearing ear gear to protect your ears as the process will produce a lot of noise. Also, make sure that the main switch of the air compressor is turned off before you begin the installation.

Once you have done this, begin by following these steps:

• To make Teflon, wrap thread tape all around the quick connectors. This will help prevent any air from coming in between the 90-degree elbow and the coupler.
• After this, you have to properly screw out the male plug connector which is in the 90-degree elbow’s inlet hole in order to properly fit it in. You can tighten it more using a wrench later on.
• Next, tighten up the separator’s inlet hole into the 90-degree elbow’s outlet hole. Make sure you use Teflon and use a wrench to tighten it with ease.
• Use one more 90-degree elbow and screw it into the water separator’s inlet hole.
• Using a wrench, tighten the hose tube onto the air compressor.
• Finally, pin the water separator into the tank input of the air receiver. Do this at the point from where the hose has been unplugged.

How to maintain the water separator?

Firstly, you will have to frequently drain out the condensate that collects in the water separator. You can keep an eye on the water filter using the clear canister. It is very easy to drain out the unit. All you have to do is use a drain valve or any other system that has been put in place.

You should do this when the condensate levels reach about two-thirds of the tube. If you’re using the unit too often, you will have to regularly monitor the water separator and clean it up. You should also consider dehumidifying the air entering the unit if you live in a humid area.

Conclusion

Water separators are very important for the maintenance of air compressors. We hope this article helped you get an idea of where to install a water separator in an air compressor. Make sure you follow all the steps correctly if you want to get this right. Let us know if you have any other questions. Good luck!

FAQ’s

1. How far should a water trap be from the compressor?

Answer: The water trap or separator should be around 30 feet from the air compressor. This will help prevent moisture from affecting your tools or paintwork.

2. Does my air compressor need a water separator?

Answer: Moisture does get into the air in your compressor at some point. Therefore, it is very important to use an air compressor for proper maintenance.

3. How does an Air Compressor Water Separator Work?

Answer: It collects the condensate that builds up inside an air compressor. This helps prevent the moisture and oil from contaminating the pressurized air.

The pulling sizing is complicated yet one of the most prime considerations one should put thought to. The size of the pulley is crucial for all the machines. Similar is the case of air compressors. You need to understand how important is pulley sizing when it comes to compressor rather than jumping onto what size does your compressor require. Therefore, we have laid out a background, signifying its importance. Have a thorough read to know it all.

Why is Pulley Sizing Crucial?

Pulley sizing has always been a crucial subject when it comes to air compressors and other machines that involve rotations. These machines employ the use of motor which needs proper rotations per minute. Without correct RPM, not only will you notice a significant decrease in efficiency, but also a decline in performance. This will affect the durability of the machine, decreasing its life.

In order to get you all a better idea, we proceed by explaining what RPM is. RPM is rotations of the motor per minute which is indicative of the speed. This determines the pump’s output flow. When it comes to an air compressor, we usually consider it in gallons per minute. More common units are, however, liters per minute.

Neglected pulley size has a high probability of being the wrong one. This will result in incorrect RPM. This in turn will have a notable and serious effect on the pump’s performance and efficiency. If the RPM is greater than what is needed, the air compressor will experience wear and tear of the moving parts. The parts include the motor, pump, and pulley itself. On the other hand, if the RPM is slower than what is needed, there will be a notable decrease in the pump’s performance, resulting in decreased efficiency.

This is the reason why choosing the right pulley size is important. No one wants to spend hundreds of bucks on an air compressor again and again. Therefore, utmost consideration and great care are required, specifically when it comes to selecting the pulley. It is strongly advised to follow the guide below to know the right size for your air compressor.

Pulley Sizing Math

The formulation to get the right size of the pulley for the air compressor is very complex and tedious. But don’t you worry because we are here to assist you. You can also get the right pulley size by dividing the speed in RPM of the pump by the speed in RPM of the motor. This greatly signifies the ease, making you get accurate pulley sizing.

Let us demonstrate this with some examples so that you get a better idea. For instance, if you have the 1500 RPM of the pump and the 2000 RPM of the motor, you can simply use the above formulation. The accurate pulley ratio in this case will be pump’s RPM/ Motor’s RPM which is 1500/2000=0.75. Isn’t this simple?

FAQ’s

1. How do I know what size pulley I need for my compressor?

In order to determine what pulley size you need for the compressor, you need to go through complicated, tedious mathematical formulations. This will tell you the appropriate pulley sizing in terms of the value. However, to get a closer idea, you can also do this simple math. This can be obtained by dividing the component that is driven which is usually the pump by the RPM of the motor. Next, you have to obtain a ratio of the driving component which is usually motor by RPM.

2. Does a smaller drive pulley increase speed?

The pulley size and speed have an inverse relation. In layman’s terms, the larger the size of the pulley, the smaller will be the speed and vice versa. Therefore, if a larger size pulley is turned by a smaller one, it will rotate will lesser speed than the smaller one as speed multiplied by the diameter is a constant value.

Another thing which you should be aware of is that a smaller pulley has a direct relation with power at the shaft. Therefore, a smaller pulley will have a smaller power whereas the larger one will have large power at the rotating shaft.

3. How do you choose a pulley?

Getting the right pulley is crucial, specifically when it comes to an air compressor. Therefore, you need to consider some factors when selecting the pulley. The three most important ones are

• The size of the motor and compressor
• Drive component and driven component
• Other important considerations include the chemical resistance, impact resistance, and noise produced.