Air compressors require regular maintenance to keep them running safely and efficiently. One of the more common maintenance procedures is draining the tank. Understanding when to drain the tank and how to do it properly is essential for keeping your air compressor running smoothly.
It is important to drain your air compressor after every use. This helps remove any moisture or condensation that has built up in the tank, and any debris left behind from previous use. It also helps ensure that your air compressor will continue running smoothly for many years.
Maintenance Requirements
Using an air compressor comes with a few maintenance requirements to ensure it runs at peak performance and lasts for a long time. One of the main requirements is to drain the air compressor tank regularly. This will help keep it from rusting and from clogging up. Understanding why this is so important and other maintenance requirements for an air compressor is important.
When to drain the air compressor
For best performance, drain the air compressor tank after each use. This is especially important if you work with tools that require consistent air pressure for optimal efficiency.
Draining your air compressor tank will prevent moisture buildup and paint spray from spoiling the system by clogging it up over time. As a preventative maintenance measure, it is recommended to drain the tank at least once a year or every 6,000 hours of usage (whichever comes first).
Before draining your air compressor tank, be sure the system is empty of compressed air and the reservoir valve is shut off before disconnecting any hoses or pipes. Once disconnected, open the drain valve located at the tank’s lowest point to release any remaining moisture buildup within it.
Open both valves as necessary and wait until all water has drained out. Finally, spray any exposed components with anti-corrosion lubricant before closing back up to prevent rust build-up.
How to drain the air compressor
It is important to drain your air compressor after every use. This helps remove any moisture or condensation that has built up in the tank, and any debris left behind from previous use. It also helps ensure that your air compressor will continue running smoothly for many years. To properly drain your air compressor, follow these steps:
- Unplug the power cord from the power outlet and move the unit to an area where the remaining moisture can safely be removed.
- Check the oil level before draining if you have an oil-lubricated compressor. If it’s low, fill it up with the recommended type of oil for your model before continuing.
- Find and locate the air tank drain valve near the bottom and open it gradually as needed to allow any remaining water or condensation to drain out safely and completely over time. Be sure not to open it too quickly or all at once, as this can be quite dangerous or even cause water damage due to a sudden surge of pressure being released inside the tank!
- Once all of the water has been drained from your tank, close up the valve so no more liquid will come out, and then start your air compressor back up if necessary for any remaining tasks before turning it off completely for safe storage until it is next time!
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