[DeTomaso] [NPC] Air pressure regulator

[John Taphorn]

Hey Mark

I recently did the same.  Sears just rolled out a new two-stage 80 gal model 
that they offered on sale through the Craftsmen Club. I'd been looking for 
an upgrade for some time to replace my obnoxiously noisy smaller unit.  This 
appeared to be a better deal than most I have seen.  Another local Pantera 
guy also picked one up for his garage.

I researched the laying of the lines and benefits verses cautions of 
different pipe.  In the end, I went with 1/2" PVC due to cost.  It matches 
my higher risk profile.  The 1/2" PVC is rated for 600 lbs; although, I 
understand it is usually the connectors that fail.  Of course, an advantage 
of the preferred black iron pipe besides strength is that it better cools 
the air, condensing out the moisture.  If your distances are short, the 
price may not be unreasonable to do it right with black pipe.  FYI, black 
pipe is preferred over galvanized that may flake over time and copper, which 
is considered weaker.

It is best to have your regulator close to your outlet for the tool after 
your line conditioners if possible.  This way you can adjust for line loss 
and the 5 -10lbs of air loss through the conditioner and oiler if you use 
one. However, my regulator is at the compressor because I am running PVC and 
thought it best to reduce the line pressure.

You will also find that a dryer located adjacent to the compressor is 
worthless.  It is better to place it in the line closer to your outlet where 
the air has had an opportunity to cool.  I did manage that.  I run my 
regulator about 10lbs higher to address pressure loss in the lines.

It is best to run loops for the blast cabinet and another dryer at the 
entrance of the line into the cabinet.  Again, if the air is hot at the 
dryer, the dryer will be ineffective.

I used to have my dryer right after the regulator on my old compressor, it 
never had any moisture in it.  That changed after I moved it further away.

Good luck with the plumbing.

JT
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark McWhinney" <msm at portata.com>
To: "'Pantera List'" <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2007 8:43 PM
Subject: [DeTomaso] [NPC] Air pressure regulator


>I finally got 220v wired to my new compressor.  (It turns out that I 
>already
> had 220 3-phase in my sub panel, so life is good.)
>
> I am planning the plumbing now.  I am trying to set it up such that I can
> condense out most of the water vapor but have a minimum number of taps to
> drain at the end of the day.  Of course, I want to have a lot of taps and
> want to minimize the number of bends.  No PVC but low cost.
>
> I am having fun drawing up various plans for my poor-man's dream garage.
> Coming out of the tank, I'll have an 8 foot vertical pipe with horizontal
> pipes branching off at the top.  It is a small shop (basically one car put 
> a
> work area), so I don't need to get too fancy.
>
> Some questions:
>
> Where do I put the pressure regulator(s)?  Do I put one next to the tank 
> to
> running the plumbing at 90 psi or do I put regulators at the taps so that
> the plumbing runs at the full 155 psi?
>
> Same question about the air filters.
>
> I'll have the blast cabinet next to the compressor.  Should I run a short
> pipe from the tank to the blast cabinet for max air flow or run a long 
> pipe
> with loops to condense out the water vapor?
>
>
>
>
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