Air compressor Question

Massey12 · Oct 23, 2021

I have a 20 gallon, oilless, air compressor. I use it only about
2 times per year(it's nice to have when I need it).

Is it best to keep it stored with the PSI built up or just
release the air to 0 PSI?

Thanks

rustred · Oct 23, 2021

i would keep it drained with the drain left open. i have seen a few air tanks rust out from moisture left in them.

mark1955 · Oct 23, 2021

i have same problem , except that when I went to air up my tank , it kept running and very little pressure build up. this was the third time I turned the switch on. tank was down to 25 psi on the gauge, I had left it full of air. long story short, I cannot take back , and no warranty left, so I took apart the cyl. head, to get to the piston, found the problem, o-ring, around piston , it is used as a piston ring, it was broken into. good luck finding new rings, these are special O-rings.

Geo-TH,In · Oct 23, 2021

I had to buy piston and cylinder,

Not worth fixing. Oilless are throwaways, and noisy.

I have 2 stage compressor older than I am.

I've never had problem with oil compressor, motor problems maybe, not compressor,

Steve@Advance · Oct 23, 2021

I don't think it makes much difference.

Chances are it would leak off on it's own in a few days.

Wouldn't hurt to open the bleeder and tip the tank to get all the water out.

Massey12 · Oct 23, 2021

It hasn't leaked an ounce in 5 years.

Russ from MN · Oct 23, 2021

I always leave mine pressurized, you never know when you want to air up a tire, I leave my portable air tanks full too. I don't think they rust out any faster pressurized of empty.

Stephen Newell · Oct 23, 2021

Well, the pressure doesn't matter, what is needed is to drain the water out of the tank.

MarkB_MI · Oct 24, 2021

Doesn't really matter. But a day or so after you use it, you'll find you can drain quite a bit of water out of it due to condensation as the compressed air cools. The more water you can get out of the tank, the longer it will last.

redforlife · Oct 24, 2021

I'd shut off/unplug it when not in use. As to it holding the pressure, that part doesn't really matter. Kind of a bonus if you can air up a tire next time without turning it on. Is what you don't want is air compressor kicking on and building up pressure when your not using any air, wether that be for 2 days, or several months. Most compressors lose the pressure over time, especially if a hose and fitting is left hooked up. So, I wouldn't complain about it, if yours holds its pressure.
But it is important to drain the pressure off, and then take drain plug out the bottom of air tank, and drain the water out every so often. Once a year per say for normal use. The water in there will rust a hole through the tank from the inside out over time if you don't. In this throw away society that we live in now, most people throw away thier whole air compressor and buy a new one when this happens. Draining the water can't completely prevent this from happening, but it can dang sure prolong it from happening.

Air compressor Question

Massey12

Member

rustred

Well-known Member

mark1955

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Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Massey12

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Russ from MN

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member

redforlife

Well-known Member

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