DaveZ

Maybe not exactly the right forum for this question, but I figured I would get more people in this forum that might know the answer...

About a year ago I got a 30 gallon air compressor to run some routine stuff around the house - finish nailer, impact wrench, adding air to bike & auto tires, etc. In hindsight, I probably should have bought a smaller compressor.

The compressor takes about 10 minutes to fill and nearly as long to empty. The owners manual states to empty it each day to prevent condensation from forming and eventually rusting the inside of the cylinder.

My question is, do I really need to empty the compressed air each day, or can I leave it filled so that it's always ready to go? Is this one of those things like "check the oil each time you fill up with gas"? (yes, I know some people do that )

thereisnospoon

as long as you empty it using the stopcock on the bottom to drain any water out from time to time - its not a huge deal to leave some air in place. I guess it really depends how frequently you use it. I have found the MOST important thing is to oil your air tools EVERY time you put them away. My tank - eh...I just get the pressure down to about 60psi and then fully drain it every blue moon. Works for me.

MacGyver

If you have a moisture trap on the intake line, it would help your cause.

speed4tu

I have a 60 gallon compressor and I leave it on all the time with about 150psi in the tank and drain it about every 2 months. You need an in line water/air filter so you don't put water in everything if you opt to not drain it often tho. Grainger sells (or used to) some little contraption you put in place of the petcock on the bottom that automatically releases water when so much builds up.

DaveZ

Thanks guys - it sounds like I can leave some air in it at all times. BTW, I did put a filter on it to prevent water and crud from getting in tools.