A timely warning.

[V8Ian]

https://youtu.be/sm_FJ6Pat4I
Minimal thickness in that tank, but the Chinese aren't renowned for over engineering or safety considerations. No doubt regular draining would slow the rusting down.

[Slunnie]

Far out, thats incredible. Both of our compressors at work have a dedicated brick and concrete room with steel mesh doors.

I remember as a work experience kid, I think it was every week the business used to drain their air compressor so it didn't rust internally also.

[V8Ian]

Far out, thats incredible. Both of our compressors at work have a dedicated brick and concrete room with steel mesh doors.

I remember as a work experience kid, I think it was every week the business used to drain their air compressor so it didn't rust internally also.
It used to be a daily chore on trucks. Nowadays the air system has dryers that regularly blow off the moisture.

[NavyDiver]

Diving tanks I filled up in a water tank of concrete for when not if one went boom. HP air is great yet wow. Do not buy or use cheap is a rule plus with high pressure tools. My last tank is unable to be filled any more boo hoo.

[bob10]

Probably a good time to post " mandatory requirements for your pressure equipment" in Australia. Now air receivers, I take it that means our 12v compressors for pumping up our tyres, as well ?

A disclaimer ;

DISCLAIMER: The statements, views and opinions presented in this article are those of the author. Asset Management Engineers Pty Ltd does not warrant the correctness of the information provided or its fitness for any purpose.

Periodic Inspection frequencies according to AS3788:
External and internal periodic inspection frequencies from Table 4.1 of AS3788, for some of the more common types of pressure equipment are –


Air Receivers* – External 2 years & Internal 4 years
Refrigeration Vessels* – External 2 years & Internal 12 years
Accumulators* – External 2 years & Internal 12 years
Above ground LPG gas vessels* – External 2 years & Internal 10 years

*For 2 yearly inspection certificates to remain valid, annual checking / testing of pressure relief and safety devices is required.





Pressure Vessel Inspections | AME (asseteng.com.au) (https://asseteng.com.au/mandatory-requirements-for-your-pressure-equipment/)

[V8Ian]

https://youtu.be/W2LbTHfU5fQ

[gromit]

I remember as a work experience kid, I think it was every week the business used to drain their air compressor so it didn't rust internally also.

Draining is more to stop water buildup which reduces the capacity of the receiver. Once drained it's leftl moist inside so rusting still happens unless you can somehow dry the inside of the receiver.

I remember working at a company and using a small JunAir silent compressor (like they use in dentists). I decided to drain the tank and got over 5 litres of rusty water out of it !
It had been used for testing something over a period of weeks then put back on the shelf without draining !

If you're lucky a bit of oil carryover from a cheaper compressor helps stop the rusting, just make sure you have a good filter system on the outlet.


Colin

[Old Farang]

While he is obviously sincere in his analysis of what caused the tank to rupture, I think that he is a bit off the mark with some of his conclusions.

For a start, as mentioned in another post, the thickness of that steel appears to be from left over food tins! He points out where he suspects that the fault propagated from, which to me points to a faulty section of welding, nothing to do with corrosion. In use, the continual pressurising cycles over a period of time will cause a faulty weld, or any other weak point, to become even weaker.

I fail to see how wriggling the small ring pull on the relief valve proves ANYTHING! At one time working offshore I had to sign off on these things after testing, and we sure as hell did not just wriggle the stem and see if you could lift it!

Yes, the tanks should be drained regularly, even better if left open when not in use with those small units. He is also correct with his comment of tanks being a much better option if mounted vertically. Also, better not to have them close to where you are using them, but then what is the use of a portable air compressor if you can not take it to where you need the air.

In another post, it is stated that:
Draining is more to stop water buildup which reduces the capacity of the receiver

Really! You would need a damn lot of water to make any appreciable difference to the capacity of the tank. Anybody that has done any spray painting will tell you that the most important bit of equipment is some form of water trap and or filter on the tank outlet line to the spray gun.
It is not possible to stop moisture entering the receiver without some elaborate filtering, which is beyond the scope of what happened here.

[gromit]

In another post, it is stated that: Draining is more to stop water buildup which reduces the capacity of the receiver

Really! You would need a damn lot of water to make any appreciable difference to the capacity of the tank. .

Did you read the rest of the thread ??
I drained 5 litres from a tank of about 10 litres so that maybe reduced the capacity a bit......

Having worked in the pneumatics industry for years I've come across receivers almost full of condensate. Most companies nowadays fit auto drains on a timer, roughly every hour the drain is opened for a few seconds. Alternatively a float operated drain can be used.
When I first started in industry most large companies had a dedicated guy who looked after lubrication of machines, drained receivers, drained filter/regulator bowls etc. That role no longer exists so draining of receivers has changed to 'automatic' but not on small DIY compressors.


Colin

[BradC]

I traded my neighbor a welder for my current compressor. I reckon I emptied nearly 20L of water from the 60L tank when I first brought it home. It's inside under a bench and on carpet so I replaced the drain with a 90 degree hose barb and piped the drain outside with a ball valve on the end. That way it's dead easy to drain the tank periodically. Gives the 7 year old something to do.

After a "bit of a talking to", the neighbours new compressor is set up similarly.

I find if there's water in the bottom the oil floats on it. The less water, the more oil that sits on the steel and the less it rusts. Anecdotal after years of borescope inspections of various compressor tanks.

[p38arover]

I drain my tank after every use and the drain valve is left open. I also lift the other end so it is higher than the drain during the initial drain down.

[p38arover]

Not compressor related but still tool related.

I was sent these photos by the company that installed and services our air-conditioning system.

The photos are of the interior of the service manager's ute after the battery from his cordless tools exploded inside the cab. Fortunately, he was not in the car at the time. The inside was sprayed with copper particles. Had he been in the cab, it's likely he would have had copper embedded in his eyes and who knows what else would have happened.

The company has now told staff that batteries may not be carried inside the cab, they must be in the ute tray.

193272

193273

193274

193275

[RANDLOVER]

I wonder if the battery's terminals shorted on something in the toolbox/tool bag?

[p38arover]

I'll ask tomorrow if the battery was on the tool or separate. It wasn't on charge.

[Arapiles]

...... The photos are of the interior of the service manager's ute after the battery from his cordless tools exploded inside the cab.



Don't leave lithium batteries where your dog can chew on them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvbBLIhTr3E

[RANDLOVER]

Don't leave lithium batteries where your dog can chew on them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvbBLIhTr3E

I like how the dogs come back to watch the fire, they probably thought it was a BBQ.

[p38arover]

I wonder if the battery's terminals shorted on something in the toolbox/tool bag?

I checked. The battery wasn't on charge, it wasn't in a tool box or bag, and it wasn't plugged into a tool. It was just sitting on the passenger's seat. It wasn't a cheap Chinese knock-off, either. It was a Makita battery.

[V8Ian]

Oh dear, all my cordless are Makita. :unsure:

[Arapiles]

I like how the dogs come back to watch the fire, they probably thought it was a BBQ.

Their tails were wagging too. On the other hand the cat immediately took off at warp speed.

[Arapiles]

Oh dear, all my cordless are Makita. :unsure:

I have them too - how old was the battery? Was the ute left in the sun?

[ozscott]

Recently replaced mine. About 15 years old. I always drained it after use but decided to err on the side of caution. Got a slightly bigger 15 amp model from Tradetools (Renegade like my old one - still made in Brisbane). My old one will go to one of my son's to have pressure tested and ultrasounded or whatever they do to test. Motor is still great. Cheers

[Saitch]

Oh dear, all my cordless are Makita. :unsure:

Impractical, perhaps, but what if you stored the battery/ies with only 1% charge and charged when needed?
Come to think of it, I think our 36v Stihl mower manual says to store battery between 40%-60%!

[p38arover]

I have them too - how old was the battery? Was the ute left in the sun?

I'll ask.