Can someone please help me understand condensation in an air tank on an OBA system, what is the danger, and how to prevent it? I am waiting for my viair constant duty system and have found some people talking about preventing condensation but no explanation on why or how.

Thank you guys and girls!

 

Air is a mixture of things. Oxygen nitrogen and of course humidity means water. Compress air and the h2o molecules are forced closer together causing it to condense. If the ambient air of the storage tank is cold or below the dew point condensation occurs in the tank under pressure. Corrosion can result over time. Get an air dryer. Change the filter frequently if needed based on operating conditions. Make sure your tank has a bleed port at the lowest point. Enthalpy plays a part in what will happen with the air.

 

Ok, i understand condensation. But, can it happen regardless the tank is inside or outside the jeep? What are the factors that make condensation mora probable?
I just want to be sure to take the necessary precautions.

 

Doesnt matter the location. A valve on the bottom of the tank will blow off water. Doesnt really matter the hows or whys, just open the valve to blow out any water that might be there as much as needed.

 

Quoted for truth.

I deal with high pressure air for a living - pressures up to and including 6000 psi. Volumes of air up into the 100's of 1000's of cubic feet. We could spend a lot of time talking about air dryers and dew points and relative humidity and lots of other fun stuff....but profebill has got it right. Ensure that your air tank has a drain valve on the bottom of it. Blow down the tank through the valve when you're done using it, and you'll never need to worry about condensation harming your system.

The only exception to this is if you're using your system to run air-actuated accessories like lockers and you're wheeling in sub-freezing temperatures.

 

Ok! Got it! How often? After every use? Every day? Week? :/
Thank you guys... This is my very first time dealing with air

 

Oh, when i'm done... So normally the tank isn't carried around filled up? Or draining it doesn't mean empty it? Is it OK to have it always with air pressure?
If the answer is yes, how often should it be drained when not used everyday?

 

The only time you add more condensation to the tank is when the compressor runs to add more air back to the tank, otherwise the tank just sits there holding whatever it already had in it. When you can, mount your tank vertically with drain on bottom. Occassionally (depends on how often you actually run the compressor to air more air) open the petcock and drain out the water. Usually you'll open the drain for 3-5 seconds is all it takes. Once no moisture comes out, close the drain. The compressed air will force the water out when the drain is on the bottom of the tank. If you run the compressor once a month, then drain once a month - does that make sense?

 

Yeah... Makes total sense! This is very helpfull!

 

Good question and thread. As a truck driver, I drain my air tanks a couple times a day. When ever I walk up to the truck, I just grab the cable that pulls the valve open and give it a yank. It is a company truck and the air dryer no longer really works well. There is usually a little water that comes out. If I am using a different truck, I can tell how often the other drivers do this, just by how much water comes out and what color. Just like the above poster said, when you use the compressor, drain it after you are done and you will be safe!