Air Compressor setup

[Baba Ganoush]

I have a set up in my 30x30 shop that is 10 years old. It was installed at the time of construction. There's about 50 feet of 1 inch PVC in the attic, with 4 drops with quick connects. It hooks to my 33 gallon crafstman electric air compressor. I have rarely used the drops with the now old crappy quick connects. I'm afraid they might grenade if I tried to use them.

Question: should I reduce the amount of PVC, or is this a benefit? (more air volume??)

I have a 20 foot roll up in the center of the system, and that's all I use.
It has constant air, I never empty the system. It's 120 volt. It doesn't cycle too often, about every 3 or 4 hours it pumps for 1.5 minutes, when not in use. I'd also like to find a way to monitor its cycles. That would be useful.

Anyhow, didn't know anyone who has a system. In my buddies' garage it's always a "plug it in and wait" thing.

[fordracing19]

I dont understand the question. I have a ball valve on my 80gal compressor that I turn off when I leave my shop. I have 1" pvc and hose reels hanging from the beams.

[gearhead78]

PVC and compressed air don't go together. When the PVC does give way it exploded sending sharp pieces everywhere. I would replace with copper or iron pipe when you can.

http://torque1st.clubfte.com/OSHA_PVC_Pipe.htm

[jw33]

You need to put a valve at the tank before it goes into the lines so you can shut it off when not in use. I would also never suggest using PVC pipe especially on the primary side of the regulator with a two stage compressor that puts out 170psi+. You are asking for trouble with that shit.

[projectPONY]

PVC and compressed air don't go together. When the PVC does give way it exploded sending sharp pieces everywhere. I would replace with copper or iron pipe when you can.


http://torque1st.clubfte.com/OSHA_PVC_Pipe.htm

I don't know about copper but iron pipe rusts internally and will blow rust particles. This might not seem very important to everyone but all it takes is for someone to blow some dust off their hands and they'll realize how dangerous that can be. Oh, and iron pipe will burst also once rust has gotten to it. I've seen this firsthand.

[fordracing19]

Meh. I used sch 80 and it has been up for 8 years. I know of numerous oil field company's that use it in there shops.

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[Baba Ganoush]

I dont understand the question. I have a ball valve on my 80gal compressor that I turn off when I leave my shop. I have 1" pvc and hose reels hanging from the beams.

Just wondering if more PVC footage is beneficial or not. It's an old system, installed by the guy who built the shop years ago, time to upgrade. Just looking for suggestions. I agree I would benefit from a shutoff valve at the tank. That's a good idea.

PVC and compressed air don't go together. When the PVC does give way it exploded sending sharp pieces everywhere. I would replace with copper or iron pipe when you can.

Well I'm aware of this concern, but almost all of the PVC is in the attic, with exception to the drops. I deffinately need to remove these. They're right overhead. OSHA nightmare. Not my design. I guess he had hoses hanging here, I never use them.

You need to put a valve at the tank before it goes into the lines so you can shut it off when not in use. I would also never suggest using PVC pipe especially on the primary side of the regulator with a two stage compressor that puts out 170psi+. You are asking for trouble with that shit.

I'll add a shutoff valve at the tank. I run 140 psi max, and it runs though 10ft of hose before a valve on the PVC system. I'm not sure what you mean about the two stage?

He built the system to hook to a larger compressor that would be outside, but the city would not permit it. He poured the slab and everything. Instead he built a cabinet inside to house a smaller electric compressor. He restored and painted several cars here, but he was a Mopar guy and an engineer, figures.

[fordracing19]

2 stage compressor. Most the time the second stage will take it to 175psi or more.

[8mpg]

The answer is the extra footage is beneficial. When a compressor is running constantly the air is quite warm and humid. You need lots of space to cool that air so it can be dried out properly by an dryer. The less distance it has to cool and allow the water vapor to condense and liquefy, the more water will end up in your tools.

[Kart21]

This is the stuff I use in the shop.
The best ever.
http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-Gmxi9N13Y

100% agree on exploding PVC. Been there, seen it.

Duratec Airline System

Drain the Comprwessor Daily.
Get a dryer not a water trap.

Merry Christmas

[bard]

http://www.rapidairproducts.com/choose.asp

The Duratec looks a bit pricey for my basic needs, but the entry level Rapid Air is doable.

[projectPONY]

this is what I'll be installing in my garage. hopefully soon.

https://www.garagepak.com

[bpawl]

I've always heard stories about how shady PVC pipe is for air. I don't have any but rem my old man always using it, and went to a local tire shop yesterday that used it. it has apparently been up for a long ass time due to the looks of it.

[jw33]

PVC will work and it is about the cheapest thing you can use. But it is brittle especially when it gets older and if it's cold. I'll try and dig around, but I remember reading something about a guy who had PVC air lines in his garage. His wife was out there messing around putting a broom up and it fell while it was leaning up against the wall. The handle landed on an air line and it pretty much exploded sending shards of plastic at mach-5 in most directions. Bottom line, if you can afford a decent air compressor you can afford to plumb it correctly. Only a total dipshit would risk their eyesight and possible injury or death for a few hundred dollars over the 10-15yr. lifespan of the equipment.

If it is so damn great why not build the entire compressor air tank out of PVC?????