Air Compressor

[Piers300]

I’ve got a Machinery Mart Compressor with integral air tank. Every time I use it, I drain the air from the tank and open the bottom vent valve to drain any water. My question is, could I leave it charged with air for days/weeks, so I can use it quickly when I need to ?  

[elie boone]

Sure it's not a problem.

[SM25T]

Surely it charges up quickly as soon as you start it ?

[Tom_Arundel]

I`ve got one that is always charged. It keeps its charge for months. Had it for 12 years....no problems,

[Mrp]

Yes of course, just check and drain any moisture once a month or so, maybe less depending on where the compressor is situated.

[Bricol]

This is on the SGS site:

IS IT SAFE TO LEAVE AIR IN AN AIR COMPRESSOR?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions and every self appointed air compressor expert will give you an different answer with various examples. While many people claim that they have never emptied the air from their compressor and have never experienced issue, it really is recommended that you do. Especially if you infrequently use your air compressor, you should empty the cylinder when you’ve finished. Whilst it is perfectly safe to leave the cylinder under pressure, a by-product of compressing air is water; the pressure will most likely drain away after a few days anyway but the water will sit in the bottom of the cylinder & cause internal corrosion.

 

II've seen the results of a corroded tank letting go . . . its explosive!  I leave my big hydrovane empty with the drain open -  only run it when I can really run it to get it nice and hot.  Otherwise I use a little unit that happily refills in a minute or several, or an even smaller silent fridge compressor unit for small duty jobs.

[ScottR400D]

Wasn't the hydrovane designed not to run with a receiver? That was always a selling point as it recall.

I have a small recip with about a 50L receiver. I drain the receiver every few weeks but there's rarely anything in there worth talking about. It holds pressure really well, weeks if not months.

A lot depends on when your using it. If your drawing in cold, humid air more water will drop out than when its warm and dry.

[Wrightpayne]

My cheap Aldi compressor gets left charged. I opened the drain yesterday for the first time in ages and only a tiny dribble came out.