Dessicant Air filter and dryers

[tobyp]

I just bought this.

http://www.eastwood.com/dvb-qc3-air-fil ... 4AodWy0A-g

And I have about 10 hours of run time on the filter and it indicates that it needs changed. ANy ideas how I am picking up so much moisture? Or is this normal to have to change it out so often????

Here is my setup.

5hp Ingresoll Rand 60 gal running a sand blaster most of the time. I have about 35 ft of iron pipe coming out of the compressor, goes into a prelim generic filter, then the QC3 filter, then to 50ft rubber hose.

 

[Carlola]

Are you using a cabinet sandblaster or a pressure pot? Pressure pot blasters take so much air, i have an 80 gallon 7.5hp and it's damn near constantly running, lots of moisture in each of the 3 traps I have. I have never tried it, but have been told copper is much better than Iron for reducing moisture. Is the 50' after the last trap inside with you? or do you run it outside in the weather? Have you ever changed the filter before or is it brand new?

 

[tobyp]

Are you using a cabinet sandblaster or a pressure pot? Pressure pot blasters take so much air, i have an 80 gallon 7.5hp and it's damn near constantly running, lots of moisture in each of the 3 traps I have. I have never tried it, but have been told copper is much better than Iron for reducing moisture. Is the 50' after the last trap inside with you? or do you run it outside in the weather? Have you ever changed the filter before or is it brand new?

I have just a little cabinet from tractor supply that is using about 8cfm. THe IR is rated at 15cfm at 90psi. It runs about 45 seconds every 5 minutes, I blast about an HR a day and run other tools about 1 hr a day. all my lines are inside as well as the compressor, and the filter is new as of last week.

 

[tobyp]

I wonder if where I have the dessicant dryer placed it is too far from the compressor, it is right before the rubber hose. Which is about 35 linear feet of line after the compressor.

 

[Carlola]

I wonder if where I have the dessicant dryer placed it is too far from the compressor, it is right before the rubber hose. Which is about 35 linear feet of line after the compressor.

25'+ of hose or pipe is ideal after the compressor before any filter, more for a larger more powerful motor that will create more heat. You have one before your 3 stage which is good.

Does the initial generic filter fill up faster than your Devilbiss filter or vice versa? How much $ are replacement filters? and is this strictly a pain in the *ss factor of buying new filters or are you having trouble using your blaster/tools due to moisture in the line? How does it indicate a new filter is needed? Do you notice a change in the amount of oil/moisture it traps since indicating it requires replacement?

Part of me thinks something isn't right with the set up, part of me thinks this filter must be amazing to trap so much moisture that it requires replacement so soon. It doesn't seem right though to have to replace it so often, for production/industrial use sure, but not for your average handyman.

 

[CWPottenger]

Have you drained the tank itself? the petcock on bottom. depending use the tank will need drained at least once a month.

 

[Carlola]

Have you drained the tank itself? the petcock on bottom. depending use the tank will need drained at least once a month.

Good question, excess water in the tank will decrease space causing your compressor to overwork itself. I drain my tank everyday, unplug it and let it slowly air out over night. The air inside will condensate and over time can rot out your compressor. Start with a fresh tank every morning.

I used to work at a finishing shop when i was 18, completely neglected the compressor and one day it just popped. 80 gallons of water to clean up. Good times.

 

[tobyp]

I beleive that this filter is trapping quite a bit of moisture. It seems that the air is coming from the tank quite warm when sandblasting. THen it hits cooler lines and condensates. THe micron filter traps a bit of water its self, then the 3 stage captures a bit more. It also has a drain at the bottom which it let out quite a bit today when draining it. I may be understating the amount of use as well. I do know that this tank gets hot when I have it in sandblasting use. I empty the water from the tank every day of use.