Water In the Air tank

[STrider3]

Yesterday I installed the two pull cord air tank valves that allow one to drain the water from the air tanks without crawling the truck. When I opened the valves to drain them or let the air out a small amount of an oily mixture came out so I am asking if this is normal. It was the inner tank. Also I opened the valve with the truck running and a large amount of water came out of the inboard tank. It took about three charges to get it to where no water came out with the air. Is this normal? I hope that somebody will tell me this is normal just like the last thread I started about the rear axles not lining up. That was stupid. I hope this thread is not. Also hoping all of you have nothing better to do than answer noob questions. Thank you.

 

[spicergear]

Rest at ease...it's normal.

 

[Heavysteven]

Normal, happens to me too....but my tank drain automaticaly now.

 

[preyn2]

What you're draining, specifically, is condensation. When the air compressor compresses the air, it heats up (air molecules are being pushed closer together, causing friction). The compressed air is stored in the tanks on your truck. When that compressed air is used (brakes, air tools, CTIS, whatever), it decompresses, causing the air to cool off (air molecules are allowed to move farther apart, resulting in less friction). When air cools, the humidity in the air condenses. What you're seeing is absolutely no different than the condensation on the outside of a glass of iced tea. It's just contained in the air tanks of your truck and needs to be drained occasionally (and by "occasionally", we mean daily).

phil

 

[Beerslayer]

Normal, happens to me too....but my tank drain automaticaly now.

What specifically did you do to set yours up that way?

 

[jbsapp]

What specifically did you do to set yours up that way?

Not speaking for Heavysteven (who has some nice detailed youtube vids, btw), "Hank" added automatic drain valves. Here are some pictures:

HanksDeuce.com - Modifications

I've heard that a particular drawback is that the auto valves can ice over.

 

[Heavysteven]

I bought some automatic drain valves from Erik's Military.

 

[DeucesWild11]

Those automatic ones are cool, my next order.. But how do they know when to drain? When water hits them?

 

[STrider3]

(and by "occasionally", we mean daily).

phil

I am taking note of this part. I can imagine the havoc rust can create in the air system. Thank you.

 

[Heavysteven]

I usually just see a wet spot on the ground after I park. Here is what they look like.

 

[zout]

You can’t avoid generating water when you compress air.
Though not readily visible, water vapour is present in the atmosphere.
The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere depends on temperature and relative humidity. Air compressed to 120 psi, the average compressor range, is roughly 8 times atmospheric pressure.
That means that one cubic foot of compressed air has 8 times the water vapour of atmospheric air. Depending on temperature and humidity it could mean alot of water being produced by your compressor.

Oil comes from another source.

 

[SteveKuhn]

YO! Much of a drag living in NJ can be, sometimes it pays. I ran the part # past my local truck parts store and the price is 40% less even w/ tax, no shipping.

Ordering tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up and good references guys.

Y'all would PAY to see a YouTube of me in my Camber & Carhartt scrunching down and hoisting up between the pioneer rack and the retaining wall of my driveway for the daily draining ceremony.

Math is simple: 3 chiro visits > $ for 2 valves.

Steve

 

[RodUSMC1962]

There are no stupid questions when it comes to the well being of any vehicle!

 

[aaron379]

I usually just see a wet spot on the ground after I park. Here is what they look like.

How does that work? There's no power to that unit is there? And does it sound like a semi how that have a fast phssssss every so often?

 

[quickfarms]

If the semi is releasing every minute or so it sounds like the air drier is clogged and needs to be serviced. Before i serviced mine I would get some moisture in the tanks and it released quite often. Now after it was serviced my tanks are dry and I seldom hear it release.

BTW do not use alcohol injection on a truck with an air drier, ane especially if it has a heated air drier.

Do they open up when the pressure is released?

 

[Heavysteven]

Here is the description

Automatic Air Drain Valve, 281923 DV-2

Item# 281923-DV-2
$40.00

Product Description

Automatic air drain valve lets out water from air tank(s) without the driver having to operate any valves or switches. Has a manual drain control built in to override automatic function. Will not clog from small debris in tanks (bits of rust etc). Compatible with all commercial trucks with air brakes as well as Military trucks with air over hydraulic systems (M35, M54, M813, etc) and M923 w/ air brakes. Drain valve has 3/8 inch ports and a 3/8 to 1/4 inch adapter pre-installed.

 

[salvorone@aol.com]

ok i cant stand it any more, how expensive were the auto drain valves , look great , one more thing i wont have to remember to do

 

[trukhead]

Those automatic ones are cool, my next order.. But how do they know when to drain? When water hits them?

Trolls that used to live under bridges that ate 3 billy goats gruff are looking for a career change so they ride the frame rails and operate the air drains.

 

[tigger]

You can’t avoid generating water when you compress air.
Though not readily visible, water vapour is present in the atmosphere.
The amount of water vapour in the atmosphere depends on temperature and relative humidity. Air compressed to 120 psi, the average compressor range, is roughly 8 times atmospheric pressure.
That means that one cubic foot of compressed air has 8 times the water vapour of atmospheric air. Depending on temperature and humidity it could mean alot of water being produced by your compressor.

Oil comes from another source.

So thats how a wet fart happens!

 

[TacticalDoc]

I put the drain with pull wires so I don't have to climb under the truck. The only thing that bothers me about them is that I dont want somethning that I drive over tocatch on them then drain my tanks leaving me w/o brakes.