In a thread I started not long ago, I asked about what folks would be doing for "spring shop improvement projects" and indicated that mine was to finally get the piping in for my air system...using hoses was getting old. Well, I managed to complete it this week using a few evenings and some time earlier today for the final touches. This should really make a difference, not just in convenience, but also in "air quality", especially for spraying finishes since I decided to take the "overkill" route with filtration, etc.
Type L copper was used...58' of it almost to the inch. Coming from the DC/Compressor closet, the system branches to both ends of the shop following the main DC trunk and has 2 drops in the south end, one in the middle and two in the north end. The entire system slopes back to the closet in case any moisture gets by the filter(s) with a loop of flex to enable easy draining.
Below are a few pictures of the installation:
The next post will contain a few more pictures...of some drops.
- The compressor was relocated as part of this project to get it out from in front of the breaker box (code) and provide a convenient mounting location for the filtration and auto-drain. The 240 circuit was also moved, but that was very simple since it's just to the adjoining wall and still next to the breaker box...same wire, same box, same outlet. (I think I used different screws to mount it, however... )
- The filters and auto-drain are mounted on the backer board. Both of those black cylinders are filters...one is a dirt/water filter and the other is a coalescing filter to also insure any oil stays put. The IR auto-drain that I picked up from EBay not long ago is mounted just below them. Works great!
- Because the compressor is now located where the cyclone filter used to hang, said filter needed to be relocated. Square to round adapters were purchased and the cartridge assembly was hung in the corner where the compressor used to live. This is a MUCH better arrangement and leaves full access to everything.
- This is a picture of the drain connection at the bottom of the compressor. I sliced up an old hose and used new ends to make assembly simple...tape the connectors, screw them into the fittings and then connect the hose with little hose clamps. This also eliminates the chance of a leaky quick-connect.