Speedaire 1WD63 automatic tank drain

by Harry
(Maine)

I have a Dayton Speedaire 1WD63 7.5 HP compressor and the automatic tank drain seems to be discharging oily condensation but when I drain it using the tank drain valve that is not the case. Any thoughts into why the automatic tank drain would be discharging oily condensation.

Also the manual says you can adjust the length of the discharge time, do you know what the ideal setting would be? Thanks

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Bill says...

Harry, my experience has been that the auto tank drain is normally installed where the manual tank drain is, at the lowest possible spot on the compressor tank, so it can get all the water out.

Where is your auto drain in relation to the manual drain.

It should be the same water coming out of both drains, so I am as puzzled as you are.

In terms of best cycle time, it's a moving target, depending on when and how long you are using your air compressor each day.

If this my my shop, I would start by setting up the auto drain to run for 10 seconds every two hours. Watch the drain when it cycles. If, at the end of 10 seconds, there is still water coming out, increase that by a couple of seconds.

Ideally, the auto drain should run often enough, and long enough, that for the last couple of seconds of being open, all that is coming out is water mist, no liquid.

If it runs for five seconds with no water coming out, you may be running it too often, in which case, change the frequency.

Cheers,

Bill