the 3/4 would be fine because you are talking about psi. So you are going to have the same amount of air pressure with either size line. The air hose you use is probably only 3/8's anyways. Can you put a storage tank in the shop area to hold air closer to the work area. Make sure that underground line don't freeze up on ya in the winter time. You might have to put it in the ground like 3 or 4 feet.
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
47 Coupe said:
Downside? DOWNSIDE??
You have got to be kidding! That is one of the main plus sides to running that line underground, you WANT the line to cool the air and condense the moisture vapor into liquid, that's why we WANT to run long lines and use Copper when possible. A refrigerated separator works by cooling the air before it enters the separator which is exactly what running that line underground will accomplish.I have a question. If the lowest point is under ground with a filter, how would you drain the water from the filter. Can you have the drain before it enters the building?
He could use a automatic drain valve draining into a drywell.930dreamer said:I have a question. If the lowest point is under ground with a filter, how would you drain the water from the filter. Can you have the drain before it enters the building?
Actually, you want the separator before it goes in the ground to remove any liquid oil or water before it goes underground. A t'd in blowdown will remove any condensation that develops in the pipe. Give it a hit about every 2 hours of use. Another option is to put in a pneumatic blowdown that will give it a hit every time the compressor cycles. These can be used on the separator also. Use a dessicant drier where it comes out of the ground to get any residual vapor before it goes to distribution lines. This system will give you air that is almost clean enough to breathe. Put oilers on the tool outlets and a filter/drier on the spraygun/booth outlet. Don't use the same hose for tool and painting.001mustang said:
I think running the line underground is a dandy idea but there must be some provision for draining the water from it where it comes into the shop. If the line reaches the shop at a low point and then must rise up to separator/regulator/outlet this could cause a problem so a drain must located at the lowest point. Also be careful not to allow the line to sag anywhere along it's length which could easily happen even with black or galvanized when using lengths like that. A low spot along the length of the pipe can be especially troublesome since it will allow water to collect that can not be drained, this water will be expelled in spurts when it reaches a certain level in the pipe. What is so annoying about this problem is that the air may seem to be dry most of the time but as the water collects in the low spot it will restrict the air flow until it reaches a point at which it will pick up most of the water and shoot it out of the line almost like a water hose for a few seconds. After this happens all may seem ok for a while but the cycle will start all over again and you never know when the water will come shooting out! Of course this need not be a problem at all since it is simply a matter of keeping that line straight and keeping the slope fairly constant.
BTW, there is arguments both ways as to which direction to slope the pipe but IMO either direction will be just fine as long as the drain can be placed on the low end. In all probability the slope here is going to be determined by the location of the compressor to the shop so just slope it whatever direction is convenient, just place that drain at the lowest point.
Of course this need not be a problem at all since it is simply a matter of keeping that line straight and keeping the slope fairly constant.BTW, there is arguments both ways as to which direction to slope the pipe but IMO either direction will be just fine as long as the drain can be placed on the low end. In all probability the slope here is going to be determined by the location of the compressor to the shop so just slope it whatever direction is convenient, just place that drain at the lowest point.
1 - 20 of 34 Posts
