Solenoid recommendation for tank bleeding?

Automotive Onboard Air Systems
1

I have a pair of 5 Gallon tanks on my roof rack with extended manual drain valves…

Took the rack off for some paint work and figured it would be a good time to add a pair of 3/8" solenoids for easy drains and mild scares at times when the big guns are just overkill :o

Thing is, the tanks are steel and tend to spit out the usual rusty crud when drained :rolleyes:

Any suggestions for an inexpensive, 3/8" solenoid that won’t get clogged or leak due to excessive water and crud?

2

from looking at your setup this 40$ 3/8" valve should do the trick

http://www.hornblasters.com/products/details.php?i=air-lift-3-8-in-nickel-air-valve

i run with this on my setup, love it. plus it does 300 psi if your crazy enough :slight_smile:

if you want cheaper then this 22$ one brass 3/8" but only does 210 psi

http://www.hornblasters.com/products/details.php?i=hornblasters-3-8-in-brass-air-valve

3

I only run ~150psi (tops out at about 160 in the Summer)

My main concern is being able to handle the excess water and crud without sticking or leaks :o

I used the original plastic solenoid from my old HB4H kit as a bleeder for the tank in my golf cart and after pissing out all the moisture, it wouldn’t close properly and leak slowly about 50% of the time :frowning:

4

I bought a 1/4" SMC valve for this. I hope it doesn’t clog or leak.
My tank is SS, but even my old aluminum tanks got crud in them.

5

The first tank in any system will get crud in it unless you put a moisture trap on its input and use a long hose from the compressor so the air has time to cool. Without the long hose the air might be too hot for the moisture trap to work.

6

Right - the water is expected.

I was refering to the nastyness:D of the water, even though the tank was aluminum.

7

If you use a trap it’ll help. Run the hose from the bottom of the tank to a low point where the valve will be mounted, so this gets the water out of the tank and helps reduce the crud. I use this setup on mine and it helps, but the water will always be a bit nasty.

-Kris

8

I was installing some new wheels on my dads 5 gallon portable compressor and my knee accidentally hit the drain valve on the bottom of it and it looked like it was… well… shiting. lol I closed it up and had to take the garden hose and wash it off… YUCK!