homemade refrigerant dryer/cooler & pump swap

by Miles Edick
(Canton, MI)

Bill, I have an old ice-maker sitting in my basement. I was thinking I could convert it into a dryer/cooler by simply running 1/2" copper coiling inside of it. If this is possible, where would I want to place the drain, just outside the unit, or plumb in a tee fitting somewhere along the coil?
Also, I see that Eaton Compressor has an incredible price for a bare 5 HP, 2 stage, inline pump. I am hoping to upgrade my single stage 60 gal. Kobalt unit with the Eaton. As long as the tank & motor are rated & can handle it, is this an okay/safe swap & upgrade?
I have learned a TON the last few days reading over the site. Thank you for a great resource.

______________________
Bill says...

Thanks for the compliment.

Using an old refrigerator to make a refrigerant dryer is a neat idea, although, probably not as efficient as the "store bought" ones. Make sure your coil can drain completely down to the bottom, and if it were me, I'd have it just outside the housing where it would be easily accessible.

If you have the skills to change compressor pumps, more power to you. Make sure that the tank has a pressure rating well above the cut out pressure of the new pump, and also make sure that the PRV works.

Good luck,

Bill