Filter Separator Quick Fix

R

Robert LaLonde

Forum Guest
Register Today
I've got a filter separator on each side of my air dryer. I figure if I can get some out before it hits the dryer I its good for the dryer, and the one after is so I can check to make sure the dryer is doing its job.

The dryer does automatically open a float valve to blow out moisture if it fills up, but my daily routine is to shut off the air valve from the compressor and drain the distribution lines ever day at the end of the day. The water trap in the dryer opens under low pressure and blows out any and all water. It works fairly well. Since I routed the drain line so it doesn't have a trapping affect and drains into a plastic coffee can the water trap hasn't needed to be cleaned as often this way. The last time I opened it up all I had to do was wipe out the bowl.

Anyway, as part of my shut down I open the drain valve on the lead separator. Its a plastic screw plug thing. The one on the downstream side is just spring loaded. Anyway, a couple times I have screwed it out a hair to far and the parts just took off. This morning I had the same thing happen again, only I didn't find all the pieces this time. Oops.

Then I thought to myself, "Screw this. I want a decent valve on the bottom of that bowl. Maybe a nice little ball valve." At first I thought about drilling and tapping the inside of the plastic bit, but then I checked a 3/8 ball valve I have several of for making machine coolant assemblies. It screwed right on. The plastic "thing" on the bottom of the bowl was a straight thread and of course the valve has an NPT thread so I knew it would leak. I snapped an o-ring over the threads, screwed the valve on snug by hand, and put the bowl back in place. No leak. Dead simple solution. Sure the o-ring will fail eventually, but its dead simple to replace it when it does.

Now I have a nice easy open ball valve on the bottom of the separator bowl. Should be able to blow it clean in half the time now too without a plug obstructing the hole.

I know. I know. Stupid, easy, anybody could do it, but sometimes I am as pleased with solving a simple problem quickly and easily like that as I am with solving a difficult design and machining problem.
 
Back
Top