I just wanted to ask the technical folks here how do you guys drain your air compressors?
I have a Sears 6 hp 30 gal 175 psi big red one, and there are stickers all over it to drain after each use to get rid of the water that will condense in there. The manual is vague on my questions...
Do you open the drain at the bottom and let everything drain out after each use? Or just let the water out, and then close the petcock, leaving the tank with some air in it?
The last time I ran it the dew point was near 70F and quite a bit of water spewed out when I went to drain it at the end of my work session. Lately I shut off the power and open the drain when I'm done with it, then when I'm ready to use it again I let it run a bit to let any residual water out before I close the petcock.
Sorry if this is in the wrong forum but I didn't want to ask this in the tech help forum.
Thanks, Bob

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Bob Roe
Lehigh Valley PA USA
1973 Olds 88, 1972 MB 280SE, 1978 Datsun 280Z, 1971 Ford T-Bird, 1972 Olds 88, 1983 Nissan Sentra, 1985 Sentra, 1973 230.6, 1990 Acura Integra, 1991 Volvo 940GLE wagon, 1983 300SD, 1984 300SD, 1995 Subaru Legacy L wagon, 2002 Mountaineer, 1991 300TE wagon, 2008 Murano, 2007 R320CDI 4Matic 52K, some Hyundai, 2008 BMW 535xi wagon, all gone... currently
2007 Honda Odyssey Touring, 2014 E350 4matic

I could be wrong on this, but I don't drain mine every day unless it's cycled on and off quite a few times. Mine is a lot smaller -- an Emglo 4 gallon, and somedays, I use it lightly. I don't think it hurts it to leave full of pressure for several days running, though again, maybe I'm wrong.

When I used to work big jobs (construction) we would have bigger compressors, and sometimes they wouldn't get drained for a few days, and when you did, oh boy, lots of stinky water.

I guess the problems with too much water in the tank are mainly: it'll rust the inside of the tank; and it will get more water into your tool.

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Te futueo et caballum tuum

1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Open the petcock and let it run till only air is coming out.

My compressor is at my California house and I have only drained it a couple times...a luxury of low humidity. If I had it at my Michigan house I would have to drain it daily.

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Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Place where I used to work had a small air compressor witha 10 gallon tank. I noticed that it only ran for a few seconds before shutting off and asked someone when it was last drained. I got a totally blank look. I opened the drain and watched as almost 10 gallons of water ran across the floor and out the door.
I open mine until only air comes out.

I drain it after using it each time...

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

I have to admit that I'm negligent on the draining. Probably do it once per year.
I don't use it all that often, however. Maybe once per month. I've owned it for over 10 years, so, I'm not all that concerned about it.