Draining the air from my compressor

Rich - depends on the compressor/tank.. mine has a brass fitting on the high pressure gauge with a stainless O ring on it... pull the O-ring and instant empty... (wife doesn't like it much because I forget to warn her... maybe I need to yell "fire in the hole" first! )

if not then your method would work... it would just take a bit... if you're not caring about a little shock (as in noise) you could unhook the airbrush from the hose, and turn the regulator up to about 50psi and have it empty pretty quick...

Close the regulator then unhook the hose first. Then let out with the O-ring or the regulator like Tho9900 said. The reason you take the hose off is because when all that air goes out so fast it will cool and condensation will form inside the hose. It won't hurt but it's one of those rather safe than sorry things. I always leave a little air in (about 15lbs) to help push out any water condensation that is inside the tank with the "tank drain valve". You should have one on the bottom of your tank.

I've been very lazy lately and last time I drained the condensation out I had about 10oz of rusty water. very bad It should be done every time.

I pull the o-ring and then unscrew the moisture valve on the bottom.

At work we have a gigantic compressor that we only drain once a week. Once I pulled the o-ring while my head was right where the air rushes out. It nearly knocked me over. I'm just glad I was wearing eye and ear protection.

You can get buy not draining your compressor every time you use it but it will be really hard on it and possibly damage it.

I can understand draining the water on a regular basis, but what's it going to hurt leaving the tank pressurized? After all, CO2 and Oxygen bottles often stay pressurized for a long time before use. I've got a 5 HP 20 gal tank compressor in my garage that's been pretty much "on" for the last 23 years, haven't noticed any big problems with it.

Always empty the tank each time by using the drain cock if it has one.
Leaving moist air in the tank will cause rust to start and eventually ruin the tank.

Mike

I'm with Mike. I don't use the pressure release valve to empty the tank I use the tank drain on the bottom. I don't care if the air stays in there, but I want the water out and that only happens when I use the tank drain.

Same position here and I would like to add there is no need to keep pressure gauge under charge if you are not using the compressor anyway.

Thanks guys. I didn't even know about draining the water. A friend gave me an Iwata Power Jet compressor as a gift. This thing is waaay more compressor than I need, serious overkill - it scares the bejeebers out of me . I broke down and read the instructions sheet and it turns out there is a drain valve at the back bottom of the tank and a procedure for draining it.
Now I have a beautiful, nearly new Aztek compressor! Guess I could flog it on e-bay.

Rich